'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎140] (249/496)

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“ Q. Are those boats larger than the Honorable Company’s Pattimar Tapty ?
<{ A. No ; about the same size, or fifty candies.
iS Q. Do they go higher than Tulluckwara ?
“ A. No, the only boats that go above this place are small canoes or toonies.”
“ July 7th, having made the necessary preparations, Mr Zigler and self pro
ceeded up the river in the bunder boat, with six extra hands, to assist in towing 1 ,
also accompanied by the pilot in a canoe. Found the tide soon after leaving Tul
luckwara so strong, we were obliged to track the boat, and this could only be done
by the people wading through the water. At seven, entered the Busseean Ghaut: a
few minutes afterwards observed a curious rippling in the water on the larboard
bow. In passing this place close, I was surprised to find the water formed a num
ber of whirlpools : hauled the boat close round, and on towing about ten yards
found her prevented proceeding by the rapidity of the tide, and it was with dif-
ficulty the boat was kept from dropping astern. The pilot now directed she
might be taken further out, as there was not sufficient water ahead : this we suc
ceeded in by securing the boat to some chinny we were amongst, but the water was
running with more force, and it required great exertion for the people to stand and
save themselves from being carried away ; this would have happened in all proba
bility had it not been for the chinny, which assisted them, and also answered to
catch a turn with the boat’s painter. The men exerted themselves much, and
seemed determined to overcome this obstruction to our progress ; but I found, after
a long trial, their endeavours were quite ineffectual, although I had twelve men on
the boat’s painter. I asked Mr Zigler his opinion on the spot, and as I found him
the same way of thinking as myself, I determined to return, and in a few minutes
we were out of this perilous situation.
“ On the 10th, made a second attempt with no better success. On the 11th, as
the water had risen considerably, and five hands (1J fathoms) water on the same
parts of the sandbanks abreast of Tulluckwara. I endeavoured again to get up the
bunder boat, but the tide was so strong even here (where I expected to meet with
little tide from the quantity of chinny) that the boat, with sails up and eight oars
out, dropped astern. It is worthy of remark, that the Gunner a short time after
this, who I had forgot was not aware of the difficulties 1 had met with, was
directed by me to proceed up the river and place flags on the North side while I
went up the opposite side. He took it for granted he was to go up in the boat, to
do which he had to go through the Ghaut, where, after endeavouring about two
hours he was not a little surprised to find himself obliged to return, d 1( j
Basseean Ghaut is nearly a mile from Tulluckwara, and has a stony an
rocky bottom ; the water runs with such rapidity that I have no hesitation in
saying it is impossible for a boat to overcome it at this time of the year, an li1
I been able to have got through, I still never should have dreamt ot repoiting i
navigable after the difficulties I met with.
T rom this time I commenced the survey of the river downwards. Tnlhick
waia stands close to the river side ou the top of the hiefh bank : the landing P a ?
mount
There
at the South east side of the town, has a steep ascent, very difficult to SU1
m wet weather ; the tort has but three sides, being open to the water side. 1
are one hundred and fifty infantry and fifty cavalry residing within the walls; ^
remaining ryots live outside. There is only one boat belonging to Tulluckwara,
w lie i^ is for passengers. The Patell (Bomau) informed me there are no 11
t lan lit teen hackeries in Tulluckwara, and that in the finest time ol the yea 1
cannot go up higher than Gurneysur, which is said to be only three cess
u uckwara. 1 was also informed the freshes rise sometimes to an extiaor er
height; that they never remain there more than nine days, when tne ‘
decreases, leaving not more than eight hands water (two fathoms) at Tulluct ^
M -s 110 ^ able to get any information respecting the roads betwe eu
led
After meetIn g With many difficulties from the freshes, which often
a y om flags, and caused great detention, wo reached Bundarea on 1