'Arabia Intelligence Report' [‎19r] (37/52)

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KAMARAN
(Lat. 15° 21' N., Long. 42° 36' E.)
[See Admiralty Charts 543 and 8D.)
(1) General Remarks
KAMARAN Island is situated in the southern area of the Red Sea, close to the YEMEN
coast and is about 12 miles long, 4 miles broad, with an area of about 22 square miles.
The area between the Island and the mainland is 8 miles long by 3 to 4| miles wide,
with good holding ground, and is suitable for a large fleet. This anchorage (Class "A") is
open to north-north-east winds only, which are infrequent and is otherwise well sheltered,
fairly easily defended but not secure from seaward observation. The southern entrance is
the usual one and is marked by buoys, making it easy to negotiate, but the depth in the fairway is
only 6 fathoms, so that modern capital ships would have to approach from the northward
along the recommended track shown on Chart 8D. The passage is clear and available for
modern capital ships. The harbour is free from swell and. apart from the climate, would be
suitable for the establishment of repair facilities, including large and small floating docks,
and for an air station covering the necessities of an advanced naval base. The harbour is
suitable for mining at both northern and southern entrances. , Dredging is not necessary.
Ships drawing 30 ft. could enter safely at either entrance during daylight. There are no lights.
No improvements are in progress or contemplated.
During the pilgrim season of approximately six months, about sixty ocean-going vessels
call.
The Island is extremely healthy, very dry and never excessively hot. Maximum tempera
ture recorded during 1938 was 101° and minimum 62-1°. A strong wind, often developing
into gale force, prevails throughout the cold season, October-April. During the hot weather
a delightfully cool breeze from the north prevails after mid-day.
Cyclones are rare, but a severe one was experienced during September, 1936. Dust
storms are common throughout the hot weather.
The cold weather is extremely pleasant and after sundown woollen pullovers are a necessity.
The accepted average rainfall for the Island is given as 2| in. : expected during November
to end of February and during March.
The south wind usually commences in early October and continues with calm periods
of from 7-10 days till the end of April or even into very early May. The strongest wind,
recorded in 1938, was force 9 and in 1939, force 7. KAMARAN inner harbour is well sheltered
and coastal steamers anchored therein have no difficulty in discharging or off-loading cargo
in all weathers.
H.M. sloops also anchor occasionally in the inner harbour, but as the surrounding cliffs
block the cool breezes, the outer harbour for anchoring is usually selected.
May can be described as the windless month : between June and September is a period
which can only be termed treacherous.
Without the slightest warning the wind may suddenly increase to great force, probably
80-90 miles an hour—usually in terrific gusts of uncertain strength which might easily drive
ships in the outer harbour resting on a single anchor, to dangerous reefs on the coast line.
Ships remaining for any length of time during the months of June, July and August
would do well to drop two anchors. {See also Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Pilot.)
The island was formerly a Turkish possession and has been in British occupation since
1915. It is not expressly mentioned in the Treaty of Lausanne. No settlement of the future
of KAMARAN was effected at the time of the Treaty and none has been effected since, so
that its political status remains undefined. It is at present administered by the Government
of INDIA through a Civil Administrator who is under the control of the Governor of ADEN.
The island contains a Quarantine Station for pilgrims on their way to MECCA from the
East, through which about 66,000 pilgrims pass annually, and which, under an Anglo-Dutch
Agreement, signedjn 1926, is managed jointly by the Governments of INDIA and the DUTCH
EAST INDIES. This covers the general supervision and control, including medical arrange
ments of the station. The Administrator is invested with the powers of a Magistrate of the
1st Class and administers justice, with the assistance of a Kazi, for all cases affected by the
Muhammadan laws.
(2) Port Facilities
The harbour has no wharves or docks, but there are :
Two stonework piers in the Quarantine area, about 100 ft. long and 12 ft. wide,
with a depth of water of 6 ft. at the end.
One arched pier in the Inner Harbour, about 150 ft. long and 6 ft. wide, with a
depth of water of 4 ft. at the end.
One stone pier in the harbour, 200 ft. long and 12 ft. wide, with crane at the end of
the pier, where there is a depth of water of 6 ft.
All are stone-work piers; are suitable for lighters and have light trolley lines on them.