"كتيّب بلاد الرافدين. المجلد I. ١٩١٨" [‎٢‎٨‎٠] (٥٦٨/٢٨٩)

280 COMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORT
W aterways and R iver T ransport
Principal Waterway
{a) The Shatt el-Arab and Tigris up to Baghdad.
(i) Persian Gulf— Basra. The Shatt el-Arab can be ascended as
far as Basra by ocean-going vessels, but its navigation is impeded
by a large bar at its mouth. It has been reported, however, that this
bar can probably be dredged so as to allow the passage of vessels of
25-26 ft. draught. So long as it remains undredged vessels of more
than 11 ft. draught have to wait for the flood, vessels of about 20 ft.
draught can cross at high-water springs, and vessels of about 17 ft.
at neaps. Vessels drawing more than 20 ft. are lightened outside
the bar, or complete their loading there, according as they are
inward or outward bound.
There is anchorage in 34-48 ft. of water in Basra reach. Since 1916
a number of wharves which can accommodate ocean-going steamers
have been built at Magil 5 miles upstream of the Ashar Creek.
Railway tracks are here run alongside the discharging berths, which
are so arranged that four or five steamers can unload at the same
time, and warehouses have been built immediately opposite.
Travelling cranes have also been provided.
Since 1916 one ocean-wharf has been built at Basra, besides various
departmental wharves; under a revised system of port organization
ocean-going vessels are to be dealt with at Magil (11 berths) and Nahr
Umar (2 berths).
A large repair workshop for river-steamers was erected on the
river front in 1916. The construction of a dry dock for river-
steamers was taken in hand. This was afterwards stopped, and
work was begun on two slipways, the larger of which would be
suitable for the biggest boats plying on the Tigris.
Before the war there was a small dock, with workshops, in Magil
Creek. Only small repairs on river-steamers could be done here.
(ii) Basra—Baghdad (500 miles). Practicable throughout the year
for suitable steamers (i. e. with independent engines, good ground
gear, and steam capstans fore and aft) drawing 4 ft., but at the worst
places all steamers stick frequently in low water and have to be
hauled through shallows. In high water depths of 20 ft. and more
can be found except on Kurna bar and in the worst stretches
between Ezra's Tomb and Qal'at Salih, where about 13 ft. of water
is to be expected.
Width of river 200-500 yds., except in the narrows between