'Persia Intelligence Report. May, 1946' [‎35r] (69/80)

67
[Part V — continued'] (B) PORTS
(5) Government and Municipal Establishments, etc.
There is a modern hospital south-east of the harbour, with a short approach down a tarmac road.
There are some good offices for the port and customs officials.
(7) Light and Power
There is an electric power station with.3 X 100 h.p. motors and four generators south of the
road and just eastward of the harbour.
PAHLEVI
(Lat. 37° 29' N., Long. 49° 30' E.)
[See Plan No. 6.)
Note .—Pahlevi was formerly called Enzeli: it is now frequently called Bandar Pahlavi.
(a) THE PORT
(1) General
Pahlevi, formerly the principal port on the Caspian, now takes second place as a port to Bandar
Shah, which is the northern terminus of the Trans-Iranian railway. It comprises the town of Pahlevi
on the western sand-spit and the area of Qazian on the eastern sand-spit. These sand-spits are part
of the Caspian coast line and form the entrance to a considerable “ Murdab ” or lagoon.
Pahlevi and Qazian are connected by the bridges and the small intermediate island of Mianpochte,
which contains a small Royal Palace and the barracks. From Qazian to Mianpochte there is a five-
span modern bridge with one steel bascule and four R.C. spans and a total length of 230 yards. The
bridge from Mianpochte to Pahlevi has one steel bascule and two R.C. spans and a total length of
138 yards. Both have 36-ft. roadways with tarmac surfaces. The bridge from Mianpochte to Pahlevi
connects with a small square and not with the tarmac promenade road which runs round the eastern
edge of the town at a lower level than this bridge.
The foreshore is firm sand for at least 12| miles to the west and vehicles can travel at 60 miles
per hour along it. The foreshore to the eastwards is less wide and firm, and the dunes come nearer
to the sea than they do in the west.
A landing ground is situated on a spit of land (Qazian Peninsula) between Murdab Bay and the
Caspian. It is about one mile east of Pahlevi Town and immediately east-south-east of Qazian (suburb)
on the east side of the Qazian-Resht road, 22 miles from Resht. The surface is firm and sandy but
liable to flood.
The firm strip of sand along the foreshore west of Pahlevi could be used for landing-grounds for a
distance of about \2\ miles.
It is reported that the harbour could be used as a seaplane alighting area and anchorage.
Approaches
The harbour is protected by two moles. The approach channel, which is about 65 ft. wide, runs
south-west along the west mole for about 600 yards and then turns south-east to the Qazian side.
It is reported that the channel changes its course frequently and ships are piloted in.
The distance from the harbour entrance to the quay is about one mile.
The .minimum depths of the approach channel in the harbour and alongside the two quays are
reported to be kept at 11 ft. 5 ins. (3.50 m.) and the depth of the harbour entrance 14 ft.
To prevent silting the harbour requires constant dredging. Silting has rendered the inner basin,
beyond the island and creek, useless for anything except small boats.
(2) Conspicuous Objects
For a vessel coming from seaward by day, in clear weather, there opens a high stone tower, situated
on the western shore of the strait, also petroleum tanks, and the town buildings, and as she draws
nearer, the heads of the moles. On the end of each mole is an iron framework light beacon. The lights,
which are fixed electric, are elevated 53 ft. above the sea and 41 ft. above the ground. From the beacon
on the west mole is exhibited a white light from 123° through S. to 270° and a green light from 319°
through N. to 33°. From the beacon on the east mole is exhibited a white light from 117° through S.
to 270°, and a green light from 337|° through N. and E. to 117°. Both lights have low visibility.
Leading beacons on the western shore of the strait in the port territory serve for the entrance into
the harbour. These beacons are wooden columns, surmounted by red triangular topmarks, with their
points upwards. Red fixed lights are exhibited from the beacons at night. Vessels proceed on the above
leading line, on a course 215°, to a second leading line, the iron beacons of which stand on the west
mole. These beacons are painted white and at night are lit by white fixed lights. The course on this
line is 143° and leads to the entrance into the strait, which serves as the harbour of the port of Pahlevi.
Both leading lines serve for passing clear of the flat extending westward from the east mole.
(3) Tides, Tidal Streams and Currents
There are no tidal variations, but other influences cause variation of the water level to the extent
of about 3 ft.
The current in the strait is changeable and depends on winds. In calm weather, and where there
is only a gentle wind blowing, a feeble current sets out of the bay into the sea. During southerly winds
(C58202) G 4