‘WAR DIARY. ARMY HEADQUARTERS, INDIA. […] I.E.F. “D”. Volume 32. PART II. (From 16th to 31st March 1917.)’ [‎86r] (176/294)

XMinting light screens for barges.—Since many of the barges are now
fitted either with galvanized iron roofs or double awnings and side screens,
f. c *’ 8 J 366 ? 1 found that they in many cases shut out the navigating
, i ^£ 80 , ^ owing vessel ; therefore all those except the towing barges will
e e where possible with properly constructed navigating light screens to
cany the outboard light instead of the towing vessel.
Buoyage and Vilotage of Tigris River .—The Superintendent returned
o asrah irom a tour of inspection extending from Basrah to 5 miles above
£ e , . on instant having left Basrah on December 31st,
u. His object was to prepare a scheme for co-ordinating all surveys
a ready prepared by Inland Water Transport officers at various stations
and to systemise the laying and maintenance of buoys whenever necessary
to mark the various and shifting sandbanks and channels as aids to Biver
Navigation and to obviate the necessity of carrying Arab Pilots.
A draft scheme embodying these principles was laid before and accepted
by the Director, Inland Water Transport, on the 15th instant. Since then, the
organisation of a staff has been in preparation, also the accumulation of the
requisite material, which is to be forwarded to stations where required and a
Base Depot at Magil Dockyard for reserve stocks arranged for.
The s S. 6 ^ has been allotted for the use of this branch and is being
fitted out at Ma gil in accordance with the necessary requirements. She is
expected to be ready for commissioning by the end of the week, when the
active organisation of the Biver Staff will be taken in hand.
ABMY OBDNANCE COBPS, BASBAH.
October 1916 .—On 1st October the Ordnance took over the supply of
clothing, barrack and hospital textile stores which are usually supplied by the
Supply and Transport Corps in India.
The Supply and Transport personnel were also taken over until such
time as Army Ordnance Corps personnel arrived in the country.
260
On taking over the clothing the Ordnance also took over a 600 feet X 60
feet shed which was to have been used by the Supply and Transport for cloth
ing at Ma’gil.
The first plans at Ma’gil Ordnance Dep6t were drawn up and approved by
the Director of Ordnance Stores and Director of Works early in the month
and work commenced on the shed and foundations of the magazine sheds
at once.
The stocks of clothing, tonnage requirements for the various fronts
supplies of ammunition and various other stock and reserves were fixed as a
guide for future work. The Director of Ordnance Stores and Staff left for
General Headquarters up-river on the 17th October.
In October the S. S. “ Scottier ” arrived with most of the winter clothing
for the troops.
An Ordnance Officer (Clothing) was appointed and on the 24th Octobe r
another Indian Ordnance Department Officer arrived and took over the dutie 8
of Deputy Director of Ordnance Stores.
By the end of the month Army Service Corps supplies were nearly clear
of the Ordnance area at Ma’gil.
On the 26th October Sir Charles Munro visited Ma’gil.
It was arranged with the Director of Port Administration and Biver
Conservancy that we should dredge Bumela Creek to a depth of four feet so
that ammunition barges could be loaded in the creek and thus save space in
the river front.
During the month five officers were lent from the Base Dep6ts to assist in
carrying out urgent work.
November .—During this month all arrangements were made for taking over
the supplies of all Ordnance stores to other Departments such as Engineer
Eield Park, Aircraft Park, Signal Park and Base Supply Depot, who had in
the past supplied their own.
It was arranged that the Ordnance should supply on a monthly demand,
keeping in reserve three months’ supplies of stores as a start, to be modified