'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎217] (390/524)

FROM RAS JASHK TO BASRAH.
217
perhaps much less, or where at low-water it would he sufficiently firm
by aid of planks to roll the remainder up to the station.
Where the mud is sufficiently hard, I would bury it to a depth of
five or six feet, or as deep as could conveniently he dug. For the first
mile or more, I am convinced no trenching will be required.
Size of Cable ,—I do not see any reason for a heavier than the
lightest, or 3-ton size cable, throughout this part. The track is
quite unfrequented by shipping : in the shoaler portion, the cable would
be deeply sunk in the mud, and over the dry fiat a heavy size would only
add to the difficulty of landing considerably. Mr. Greener is of opinion^
that if buried to a proper depth, the iron casing might be dispensed
with.
Old Steamer for Pontoon .—One of the old Indus Flotilla steamers
now in Bombay, about I believe to be broken up, would be an econo
mical and efficient pontoon, and be easily steered and towed. Her
engines and fittings of every kind removed, and large hatchways fitted,
she might be towed up to Muscat or Bu-shehr in the first half of Octo
ber, which would be the best season for the passage.
Tide .—The tide in Khor Abdallah runs 1 1 to 11 knots, and takes
the direction of the channel. The range of tide on the river side oi
Fail is 12-j feet (probably the maximum), and is doubtless as much
outside. High-water at Fad (river) at full and change ; day tides Oh. Om-
night tides 1 Oh. 40m. They are much influenced by the winds, the
height both of high and low-water, increasing with a South-easter and
vice versa.
Station at Fau.—Th.e whole of the country round Fan is flooded at
highest springs to a depth of 1 to 1 <1 teet, except the date plantations,
out of which the water is kept by low walls. It is also much intersect
ed by ditches for drainage, which extend quite through the date groves.
On the West side, a low embankment at a distance of 2 to 300 yards
from the date groves partially excludes the salt water of Khoi Abdallah
from the cultivated land. From aloft, during the veiy high tides we
had, this bank appeared like a thread separating two seas, in the neaie i
of which were some islands planted with date trees.
Site for Building .—The best place lor the station is a mined mud foil
about 80 yards square, on the NW. (weather) side of the date tiees
the material of which levelled would make a platloim on w nt i to
28 g