'Handbook of Mesopotamia. Vol. III. 1917' [‎93] (102/432)

THE EUPHKATES
93
would be easy for a light-draught steamer, and could be accomplished
at a very great speed. The swiftness of the current at this time of
the year would, however, make the upward journey very slow, and
it would be necessary for the steamer to be capable of a continuous
speed of not less than 12 knots per hour in order to make head
against the rapid stretch between Hit and Anah. Steamer-navigation,
it was stated, would be too risky to be profitable during the l.-w.
months of August, September, Octobei', and November. The report
adds that in the months of December, January, February, and March
both the upward and downward journey of even a light-draught
steamer would be attended with considerable risk unless engineering
works were carried out in the stretches between Hadiseh
IV F, m. 65) and Alus {Route IV F, m. 55|), in the passage from
Kerableh Island {Boute IV Gr, m. 2) to below Anah IV F,
m. 117), in the shallow rapids at Abu Quba'l or Funsa IV H,
m. 120), and below the islands of El-Hammam IV H, m. 130|).
In the first two of the above-mentioned places the artificial channel
excavated by the Turkish authorities in 1870 was in 1903 still
almost intact; and it was believed that very heavy expense would
not be necessary. Some apparatus would, however, have to be
erected for the purpose of warping the steamer up over the ledge at
Fatihat Khidhr Ilyas {Boute IV F, m. 5&|). From below Anah to
above Kerableh Island a tow-path would probably have to be con
structed on the 1. side of the river. In the neighbourhood of Abu
Quba'l and El-Hammam, the placing of four or five dams part of the
way across the river-bed would sufficiently deepen the channel.
The report of 1903 says that the best boatmen of Anah are so
intimately acquainted with the bed of the river above Hit that it
would be advisable to secure the services of one of them as pilot for
a steamer plying on the river.
On the upward journey it might be possible for a steamer to tow
one or two flat-bottomed boats. On the journey down-stream towing
would be dangerous, but a barge might be lashed to the side of
a steamer.
Practically all the present traffic is down-stream, at least as far as
Hit, and is carried on chiefly by the flat-bottomed boats, known
as shakhturs (see vol. i, p. 167), built only at Birijik. Even the
attempt made in 1911 to establish a service of motor-boats (65 ft.
long with about 2-| ft. draught) on the river above Fellujeh had to be
given up owing to difficulties in navigation. (See vol. i, p. 171.)
There are ferries at the chief stopping-places on the river.
The river has been used in increasing degree for the transport of
guns, ammunition, and stores, and small detachments of troops from