'Arabia Intelligence Report' [‎11v] (22/52)

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SECTION VI
PORTS, ANCHORAGES AND THEIR DEFENCES
Notes. —1. Information is required in accordance with C.B.3()0() (38), Chapter III,
Section 5, to cover other ports for addition to this section. Any such reports rendered would
be enhanced in value if accompanied by an up-to-date plan.
2. On no account should the navigational information given under this section be used
without reference to the Official Sailing Directions published by the Hydrographic Department.
*
AKABA
(Lat. 29° 31' N.. Long. 35° 00' E.)
[See Plan 8 and Admiralty Charts 8a and 3595.)
(1) General Remarks
Gulf of Akaba
The gulf of Akaba extends in a north-easterly direction for about 100 miles and varies
in width from 7 to 14 miles. The entrance to the gulf is obstructed by extensive reefs
surrounding Tiran Island, leaving two channels. The western channel is only two cables wide
between the reefs, and the northerly wind and swell come down through it with great force
at times. The eastern channel is about a quarter of a mile wide.
# The shores of the gulf are closely bounded by mountain ridges, which are continued
to the northward on each side of the Wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. Akaba, a wide and desert valley, the water courses
of which are dry for the greater part of the year. Along the wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. these ridges rise in many
places from the plain like walls and the passes over them are extremely difficult. The gulf
is subject to violent and almost constant northerly winds, which blow with considerable force.
During April and May they are usually moderate and then an occasional change to southerly
winds may occur as also during the winter months. These northerly winds raise a considerable
swell and the gulf is consequently almost devoid of native craft. The shores of the gulf are IP
steep-to and the only anchorages along the eastern coast are at AKABA [see below) ; between
Omeidar Island and the mainland ; at BIR AL MASHIYA, under a sandy point in about
5 or 6 fathoms ; at SHERM DHABA and at SHERM MUJAWAN, a snug cove with a narrow
entrance with a depth of about 2\ fathoms. All these anchorages except the last one are
exposed to the southerly winds, which sometimes come on suddenly and blow hard.
AKABA
AKABA lies on the eastern side of the head of the gulf of the same name. The head of
the gulf forms a semi-circular bay extending for some three miles north and northwest of the
village. The shore is very low, and abreast of the village consists of sand. There is anchorage
off AKABA village in 11 fathoms, and also at the head of the gulf.
The importance of AKABA lies in its proximity to the following frontiers at the head of
the Gulf of AKABA :—
[a) SINAI-PALES IINE, which runs in a 335" direction from a point 254° 5 miles
from AKABA village.
[h) PALESTINE- TRANSJORDAN Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan , which runs in a 010° direction up the WADI A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows.
ARABA from a point about 310° 2*2 miles from AKABA.
(c) TRANSJORDAN Used in three contexts: the geographical region to the east of the River Jordan (literally ‘across the River Jordan’); a British protectorate (1921-46); an independent political entity (1946-49) now known as Jordan -SAUDI ARABIA, which runs from EL BURG point to
MEDAWARA, some 80 miles inland. Ihis frontier is not recognized by
IBN SALD, who claims AKABA as Saudi territory.
(2) Port Facilities
It is estimated (September, 1941) that the port capacity is about 100 d.w. tons per day.
It is to be developed.
Lifting Appliances
Nil.
W arehouses
Nil.