!['Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎10r] (23/62)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x000184/IOR_L_PS_20_C149_0024.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎10r] (23/62)")
'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [10r] (23/62)
The record is made up of 1 volume (29 folios). It was created in 1917. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
17
Communications.^^ the exception of a oararan route across the desert,
there are no inland communications.
Port Facilities. Koweit is situated in a bay 20 miles long by 10 miles broad,
and vessels anchor from 1 to 3 miles off tlie shore.
The port came into notice some years ago as the possible terminus of the
Baghdad Railway and the principal port of Mesopotamia, and recently
a proposal for developing the port and building a railway from Koweit
to Bt sra was isciissed in connexion with military operations, with
a view to avoidmg the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab and increas-
mg supphes to Basra.
To develop Koweit as a port it would be absolutely necessary to carry out
such works as would enable sea-going steamers to he alongside a railway
wharf to discharge and take in cargo ; and whether the port was made
opposite the town of Koweit or 10 miles away in the Duhakathama,
this would entail the construction of an elaborate system of harbour
works, quay walls, warehouses, etc., the construction of which would cost
a very large sum of money that might more profitably be expended on the'
dredging of the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab.
I can understand in the past, when the air was full of political intrigue
Koweit being regarded as a possible set-off to Basra, but with Basra
a British possession, Koweit must necessarily sink into insignificance.
M the head of the Gulf on the Shatt-el-Arab—
(i) Mohammerah.
• Trade. Mohammerah serves Ahwaz, Shushtar, Dizful and Ispahan along
with the country between those towns. In 1910-11, 364 steam vessels of
828,000 tons called at the port, and the value of the imports and exports
in 1913-14 was £812,000 (including plant of the Anglo-Persian Oil
Company valued at £211,000) and £313,000, respectively.
Communications.—Qj the Karun river to Ahwaz and thence by road to
Shushtar and Dizful, or by the Lynch Road to Ispahan. An alternative
route for Shushtar is to tranship at Ahwaz and continue by river to near
the town. There is a proposal for a railway from Mohammerah to
Ahwaz and Khoramabad, and for a motor road from Ahwaz to Ispahan.
The Karun river leaves much to be desired from the navigation point of
view, and can only be used by launches and other vessels of very
shallow draught.
Port Mohammerah is a port on the Shatt-el-Arab and all sea
going vessels have to be limited to a draught of 21 feet, in order to cross
the bar at the mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab river and even that draught
is only possible at high-water on spring tides. There is no port
accommodation at Mohammerah and vessels lie in the river and conduct
the trade with the shore by means of lighters,
(ii) Basra.
Trade. —The port is situated on the Shatt-el-Arab river near the junction of
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers and is the principal port of Mesopotamia
serving the whole of the country up to Baghdad and thence to Kerman-
shah via Khanikin.
In 1913-14, 190 vessels aggregating 321,668 tons entered the port; and the
value of imports and exports was £3,899,000 and £1,939,000, respec
tively.
080(w)AD
About this item
- Content
This file contains two printed reports written by Sir George Buchanan, Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, Indian Expeditionary Force "D".
The details of the reports are as follows:
1) 'Report on the Conservancy of the Shatt-El-Arab River from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ' (folios 1-7);
This report is separated into the following sub-headings:
(a) General Description of the River.
(b) Physical Characteristics.
(c) Obstructions to Navigation.
(d) Removal of the Outer Bar.
(e) Lighting and Buoying.
(f) Pilotage.
(g) Financial.
(h) Conclusion.
A number of charts and plans referred to in the report are contained in a seperate pocket at the rear of the folder (folios 21-29).
2) 'Report on the Development of the Port of Basra' (folios 8-18)
This report is separated into the following sub-headings:
1) Suitability of Basra as the Principal Port of Mesopotamia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2) Trade Prospects.
3) Administration.
4) Works and Equipment.
5) Import Trade.
6) Export Trade.
7) Inland Vessels' Trade.
8) Trade with Southern Persia.
9) Miscellaneous private trades and industries.
10) Finance.
11) Charges on Vessels.
12) Dues on Goods.
13) Inland Vessels' Trade.
14) Land Rents.
15) Conclusion.
This report includes an appendix entitled 'A brief note on the future development of the Port of Basra and its communications by land and water, by Sir George Buchanan, Kt., C.I.E., Director of Port Administration and Conservancy, Indian Expeditionary Force, "D" (folios 16-18).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (29 folios)
- Arrangement
Two thematic reports followed by a number of maps and charts that are referred to in the first report.
- Physical characteristics
A bound volume with a pocket attached to its inside rear cover containing nine fold-out maps.
There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. It begins on the first folio with text, on number 1, and ends on the last of the various maps that are inserted at the back of the volume, on number 29.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
Use and share this item
- Share this item
'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [10r] (23/62), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/20/C149, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023622758.0x000019> [accessed 7 April 2025]
https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023622758.0x000019
Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.
<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023622758.0x000019">'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E' [‎10r] (23/62)</a> <a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100023622758.0x000019"> <img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x000184/IOR_L_PS_20_C149_0024.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" /> </a>
This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000884.0x000184/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images
Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/20/C149
- Title
- 'Reports on (1) the Conservancy of the Shatt-el-Arab river from the Port of Basra to the Persian Gulf and on (2) the Development of the Port of Basra. By Sir George Buchanan Kt., C.I.E'
- Pages
- front, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:20r, 21r:29v, back
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence