‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 22. PART II. (From 16th to 31st May 1916).’ [‎52r] (108/246)

'Telegram P. 5 No. I. G.-2865, dated 23rd May 1916. APPENDIX 317
(Despatched 12 noon, received 4-30 p.m., 23rd May 1916.) {Dy. No 55542)
From—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D, ” Basrah,
To—The Chief of the General Staff.
Intelligence. Please forward me latest information regarding progress on
railway connecting Mamourie and Islaliiek and connecting Bozanti and Tarsus.
Addressed Director, Military Intelligence, London ; repeated General Head
quarters, Egyptian Expeditionary Eorce, Suez, and 0. G. S., Simla.
Working copy to G. S. (M. 0. 3).
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., G. S. (M. O. 1).
Telegram No. 55543, dated 23rd May 1916. APPENDIX SIB
(Despatched 11 p.m.) {Ny No. 55513)
From—The Chief of the General Staff,
To—The General Officer Commanding, Force “ D,” Basrah.
Reference telegram No. H.-7, dated loth May 1916 (Dy- No. 54046), from
D. M. S., Eorce “ D,” in which it is recommended that six hospital steamers
should be fitted' with independent paddles. Original decision to adopt twin
screws was based on advice of D. It. I. M. supported by Macneece, who stated
that he had consulted naval officers at Basrah. In January i916, D. R. I. M.
wired as follows : Begins. No. M -225, dated 21th January. Your wire
regarding hospital ship. Cannot agree that the ship designed is unsuitable,
she is specially designed for quick turning width apart of propellers 13 feet and
rudders, distance between outer rudder 19 feet 6 inches. It. is much quicker
to reverse a screw than a paddle and in the case of motor engines the. reversal
is almost instantaneous, which is a very great advantage in rounding sharp
bends with a swift current. The machinery and paddle wheels of paddle
steamers are almost much more liable to injury from enemy s fire than the
submerged screws and smaller area occupied by ml tor engines. Paddle
steamers must have engines and boilers which make carrying capacity for
wounded much less and ship much hotter. Latest additions to Bloss Lynch
steamers is a twin screw and is reported as most satisfactory, her name
“ Jalna,” River between Quala Salih and Rotah creek is very unlikely to be
navigated by any steamer without accidents, owing to sharp turns, narrow
channel and strong current. For the rest of the Tigris, hospital ship as design
ed is recommended in preference to paddle steamer. Ends.
Main points arising out of the above telegram appear to be that carrying
capacity of paddle steamers is less and heat is greater, also question whether
the “ Jalna ” v as a success It is also understood that the intention is that
twin screw vessels originally designed should not tow barges. It is not clear
whether you intend that these specially constructed paddle steamers should
tow barges of the superior type of which you promised to send specifications
in your telegram No. N. G. 1135-60-Q,., dated 24th April 1916 (Dy. No. 54352)*
If you decide to adopt independent paddle type please let me know whether
this is intention and what the carrying capacity of barges will be. Judging
by length of time which it has taken the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. to prepare drawings for
the first four river craft, it is estimated that change from twin screws to
paddlers will cause the completion of vessels to be delayed for some months,
probably three D. R. I. M. has been asked with reference to Marine Depart
ment telegram No. H.-4285, dated 23rd May 1916, to him to wire you whether
this estimate is correct. Are you still convinced that it is essential that the
new ships should be fitted with independent paddles having, regard to all
the factors mentioned above and in particular the delay resulting from neces
sity for preparing fresh drawings.
lJ
Record copy to D. M. S.
Copy to M. S. C., M. S. V., Q. M. G>, A. D. Marine*