'Field notes. Mesopotamia' [‎15v] (35/230)

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of Western Persia, and as the port of transhipment from ocean
going steamers, to the river boats and caravans of the interior.
It is situated 67 miles from the sea on the right bank of the Shatt-
al-’Arab. As a port it has disadvantages under present condi
tions, for although navigation up the Shatt-al-’Arab for ocean
steamers is fairly easy, there are some shifting shoals and a
mud-bar at the mouth limiting the draught of vessels which can
ordinarily enter. The tide is felt up to Qurnah, the rise and
fall being from 9 to 10 feet, but this is dependent on the strength
of the wind and the amount of water in the river. After cross
ing the bar ocean steamers anchor oft' Basrah in mid-stream,
whence the cargo is discharged into wooden lighters, carrying
15 t© 20 tons. There is not room for two vessels abreast, but
any number can lie up and down the river, which is here 600
yards across.
The actual town itself lies 2 miles from the river on a narrow
creek, the Nahr-al-’Ashar, along which a very fair caniage road
runs. It stands in a large area, once enclosed by a mud wall with
raised towers at intervals, all of which are now demolished or
out of repair. The remains of the wall enclose an irregular rect
angle, -1,300 by 2,200 yards, the buildings being at the south
west corner, and the rest of the space filled with date gardens.
The population, including suburbs, numbers 40,000, mostly
composed of sedentary Arabs. There are some Europeans and
Indians, about 3,000 Persians and 1,000 Jews.
There are several creeks on both banks used for drainage and
irrigation. The ’Ashar creek leads up to the town from slightly
above the former British Consulate. It is the chief means of
communication from the river to the town. Baghlahs can go
up at high tide ; at other times only shallow draught boats, and
at dead low tide the creek is practically bare mud. Two subsi
diary creeks lead from the river to the town, the Khanduq and
the Robat. They are both higher upstream than the’Ashar.
The latter is crossed by two wmoden bridges, one near its mouth,
the other in the town. The Khanduq has one bridge half a mile
from the river. The latter creek is used for baghlahs loading
grain. Grain stores are to be found along its banks. Width of
creeks is about 40 yards. Troops could be landed anywhere on
either bank. No special arrangements would be necessary.
All the European houses are on the river bank, or a short
distance up the ’Ashar creek, while near the mouth of the creek