'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎122] (231/496)

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at its ordinary height in the rams (25 feet above hot weather mark)
covers the rapids, and the passage is safe. The boat shot them with
little trouble : the fall, however, when the river is low, is from 8 to
10 feet, but, as at the Sahesdareh, there is a backwater passage always
available. At Mookree the hills end, and thence to Tullukwarra, about
20 miles, the river is navigable and easy.
12. From Tullukwarra to Baroche boats of large size are con.*
stantly passing.
13. From the foregoing, it is evident that Lieutenant Evans’ trip
has established, that a laden boat of moderate tonnage can be
floated from the Dharee falls above Mundlaisir to the sea, without any
considerable risk, during the rainy season when the Nerbudda is full;
and that a boat could not be brought up the whole distance against
the stream from the sea at that season, owing to the rapidity of the
current.
14. If, then, the Coal, such as was sent by me to Bombay last May,
and which is found in the Satpoora range of hills on the left bank of
the Nerbudda, can be brought to the river bank at Dharee, or perhaps
above, it may be floated to Baroche on boats to be constructed of the
wood which is abundant in that neighbourhood, which boats may, at
the commencement of the experiment, be disposed of to advantage
after they have delivered their cargoes, or may return laden to Haump,
to which place goods are now brought at certain seasons by
water.
15. It is my intention, in January next, when the jungles are safe,
to proceed, in company with Lieutenant Evans, from Chandghur to the
Coal fields, and by personal enquiry to satisfy myself as to their precise
locality, their distance from the nearest point of the Nerbudda, their
probable extent, the cost of digging a certain quantity, and the ex
pense of transporting it to the river and to Baroche ; and, if possible,
to make arrangements for the dispatch of a boat-load or more next
season, that the experiment may be fully tested,—it being of the fi rst
importance that Bombay should, if possible, be independent of fereig n
supply for coal for its sea-going steamers.
16. In respect to Lieutenant Evans’ observations as to the mean
for making the Nerbudda available to commerce, I have great doub
whether the returns would compensate for the outlay. The formati
of roadways to transport the freight of boats at the different falls, m a , v
e undertaken, but they alone will not suffice ; there must be a