'Field Notes on Lower Mesopotamia' [‎15r] (36/112)

rv
15
Hospital, with a small landing-pier. Beyond is
Gardilan, a collection of mud huts.
The country surrounding Basrah is quite flat
everywhere, and any military landing could easily
he covered by the fire of ships stationed in the river.
No suitable position offers for the defence of the
town, but the deep muddy canals in the vicinity
would greatly impede the movement of troops.
From the river to the town there is only the one
made road, running along the south bank of the
Ashar Creek ; the other tracks are almost impass
able in wet weather.
Zubair .—This town, the site of old Basrah, stands
in the desert 9 miles south-west of the modern Bas
rah and forms the first stage on the route from Bas
rah to Kuwait and Najd. Around the town, which
is walled, the country is entirely barren except to
the south-east, on which side a scattered series of
lucerne and melon fields, hedged with tamarisks,
extends to a distance of 3 miles ; this tract is called
Dirhamie, and the drinikng water of the twon is
supplied by its wells. A few miles to the north
west of Zubair are a property and fortified dwelling-
house belonging to the hereditary Shaikh of Zubair.
There is in the town a large covered bazar, mostly
of masony, and the dwelling-houses are either of
sun-dried or of burnt brick, the latter being excavat
ed in great quantities on the adjoining site of ancient
Basrah.
Juss or gypsum mortar is exported from Zubair,
and sandals and rude saddlery are manufactured,