File 50/1914 Pt 10 'Persian Gulf: Lighting and Buoying; Supply of Lighthouse Tender; the Nearchus' [‎215v] (435/470)

4
I am of opinion that the construction of these ships should not be
undertaken in India. A dioptric ship is of special form, and should be
trimmed for proper riding, have her lenses balanced, the swing of the vessel
determined, and the period of the pendulum finally adjusted to it under the
supervision of experts at home. 1P , i t i
The first ship completed might be towed to the CjuJf by the new light
house tender, and the others could be sailed to Port Said, and towed from
there to the Gulf by the tender sent round specially for that purpose.
All proposals as to lightships and lighted buoys are put forward
provisionally, as the illumination of all descriptions of floating lights is on
the eve of* very important, and, I confidentally anticipate, successful
development. The estimates of first cost and maintenance may, however, be
accepted as covering figures in any case.
Muscat (see Appendix L).
The summit of Pas Muscat is at present practically inaccessible, and a
zig-zag path with occasional steps would require to be made to the top.
The flat reef below the headland, and on which a landing can easily be
effected, requires making up with concrete, and considerable excavation
would be necessary on the summit of the headland to form a shelf or
plateau on which the necessary buildings could be erected.
The tower and dwellings should be constructed of masonry, the former
being only about 12 feet b inches high, floor to floor. This would place the
focal plane of the light at an elevation of about 250 feet above high water,
or sufficient for a geographical range of about 22 miles. The necessary
living and storage accommodation should consist of living room, sleeping
room, oil store, fuel store, general store-room, and water storage tanks.
The provision of a low retaining wall around the plateau might be found
necessary, as the surface rock on the summit is very loose.
The light should, I consider, be of the Third Order, and show one flash
of about ' 34 second duration every 5 seconds. The intensity would be about
100,000 candles with an incandescent oil burner having a mantle of 55 m/m
in the focus of the lens.
I estimate approximately, from the information at my disposal, that the
cost of establishing such a lighthouse, complete with lantern, lighting
apparatus, dwelling and stores, and inclusive of forming a landing place,
approaches to the summit, temporary stores, and living quarters for superin
tendents and workmen, would be about 8,0000, and the annual maintenance,
inclusive of oil, stores, wages and repairs, at about 3500, an amount that
would cover the sum annually chargeable against Muscat for the maintenance
of the depot at Koweit.
I consider that the establishment necessary for maintaining this light
should consist of six men (natives of Muscat), who should be chosen by the
Superintendent of W orks and the erecting mechanic, in consultation with the
British Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. at Muscat, from amongst the labourers employed
on the works, and who will have been under observation for a considerable
time by these officers. It would then be the duty of the erecting mechanic
to instruct them in the management of the burners, and everything in. their
charge.
It would be necessary for Muscat lighthouse to be maintained as a “ rock
station,” i.e., the men only residing at the lighthouse and their families in
the town. Four men would, therefore, always be on duty at the lighthouse,
with two on relief. *
Little Quoin (see Appendices II. and III.).
On the completion of Muscat lighthouse, the workmen’s living quarters,
cement store and plant should be conve} 7 ed to the Little Quoin by the
lighthouse tender, and the construction of the lighthouse on the island
begun.
I he most convenient landing place is at the north-west point; but to
face up the rock so as to render the landing of men and stores easy, and
execute the necessary protective work to the cliff over the landing place.