'Military Report on The Anglo-Iranian Oil Company's (South Iranian) Oilfield Area' [‎15r] (38/150)

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exists. At present, the vast majority of river craft in Iraq and
the A. I. 0. C. area are wartime vessels. All details concern
ing them are in the list in the possession of Colonel Ward,
including carrying capacity for personnel, stores, etc., at various
draughts.
Headquarters, Hinaidi, have been asked to maintain
a list of Mespers and A. I. O. C. fleets, showing the details men
tioned in Appendices, V, VI and VII of this report.
The principal owners of river steamers, barge and motor
launches are Mespers at Basra, and the A. I. 0. C. at Abadan.
There are a certain number of native-owned steamers and barges
but their lift is small and performance unreliable. Country
craft abound on the Tigris and Euphrates but only certain type
are suitable for military purposes. Mespers fleet operates in the
bhatt-el-Arab, and the Tigris as far as Baghdad ; the A I O C
fleet on the Karun river between Abadan and Ahwaz and Dar-i-
Khazineh. The majority of Mespers fleet could be made avail
able for military purposes up to Ahwaz.
As a general guide, it would probably be best to make
oi the A. I. 0. C. fleet in the first instance and
this tonnage, as may be found necessary, from
to supplement
Mespers fleet.
The particulars of vessels
dices:—
are given in the following appen-
A. I. 0. C. owned craft
Mespers fleet and motor laun
ches Basra
Appendix V.
Iraqi-owned craft
Country craft
The following points are important in considering the use of
river crait i —
Appendix VI.
Appendix VII,
Appendix VIII.
(a) Ihe big drop in haulage capacity and number of craft
available above Ahwaz.
(b) All barges, with the exception of oil barges, are suitable
for carrying M. T. At Basra M. T. can be loaded
direct from sea-going vessels to barges.
(c) For the carriage of troops and animals wooden decks
are preferable. Steel decks could not be used in hot
weather, unless covered with matting. Canvas or
matting awnings are necessary and must be remov
able to allow for loading of stores. Barges for
military use should have decks and hatches
MS235CGS(P)