"تقرير استخباراتي عن بلاد فارس. مايو، ١٩٤٦" [ظ‎‎٢‎٠] (٨٠/٤٠)

38
(B) PORTS [Part V—continued]
Approaches
In clear weather, the position of a vessel may be determined at some distance from the port by
bearings of Gisakan bluff, Khurmuj, and Burial page 226 and 149 of P.G. Pilot, and view on
Chart 27).
Approaching from south-eastward, a vessel should steer to pass about 6 miles off Ras Halileh,
and thence continue north-westward in depths of not less than 6 fathoms (11 m. 0), anchoring according
to draught southward of the light buoy at the outer anchorage.
From south-westward, Imamzadeh mosque, and the British Residency close southward of it, as
well as telegraph buildings at Reshire (Rishahr) will be the first objects sighted, showing white,
especially in the afternoon sun. The depths decrease regularly as the coast is approached. Small
vessels may keep near the coast, according to draught.
Approaching from the northward, a vessel, when passing Ras-ash-Shatt, should not get into
depths of less than 10 fathoms (18 m. 3) and should keep in that depth until the light buoy marking
the outer anchorage is sighted.
(2) Conspicuous Objects
There are two conspicuous 200-ft. W/T masts and telegraph buildings situated about 1,000 yards
north of Reshire Point, in position Lat. 28° 57' N., Long. 50° 50' E.
A conspicuous building with two towers (previously the Soviet Consulate), surrounded by an
extensive wall, is situated on the coast about If miles north-north-eastward of the coastal village of
Mufqa’eh, and about 7 cables northward is the British Town Residency at Bushire with a flagstaff
near it.
A light is exhibited, at an elevation of 94 ft., from a white steel structure with red bands, 87 ft.
in height, situated at the west side of the airfield about 2| miles north of Reshire Point. This is visible
. for 16 miles. Imamzadeh, on the highest part of the land eastward of Reshire Point, is a conspicuous
domed mosque, situated about 1|- miles eastward of the point. A small village surrounds the mosque.
The majority of the buildings are white and show up well in the afternoon sun.
There are not many lights visible at night, since most of the main streets face inland.
(3) Tides, Tidal Streams and Currents
In the offing, the tidal streams set up and down the coast, but are weak. The average range is
approximately 7 ft., but this varies considerably with the seasons and weather conditions.
In the entrance of the harbour the tidal streams set northward and southward near Raq’at-as-Safli,
they set eastward and westward across the shoals at the mouth of Khor Sultani.
In the Inner Anchorage, they set from north-north-eastward to east-north-eastward, and from
south-south-westward to west-south-westward ; ’ at spring tides they attain a rate of 1 knot, and at
neaps, from a quarter to half a knot. Northward and eastward of the Inner Anchorage, the tidal
streams over the flats are weak.
In Khor Sultani, the tidal streams are very strong off the town and round the northern end of
Jazirat Shaikh Sa ad. The July spring tide is the highest of the year. The winds have considerable
effect on the tidal streams ; the Shamal (north-westerly wind) causes the stream to turn later and
lowers the general level, sometimes as much as 1 ft. ; the Kaus (south-easterly wind), on the other hand,
raises the general level. In summer, the day tides are higher than the night tides ; in winter the reverse
is the case. At all times the rise of the lower tide is very small.
(4) Weather
Any strong north or south winds are liable to raise sufficient sea in the Outer Anchorage to prevent
communication between ship and shore and restrict any unloading into lighters ; it is also applicable
only in a lesser degree, to the Inner Anchorage. These winds are liable to occur at any time of the year,
but are considerably more prevalent in the winter months. Extremely high temperatures are
experienced from June to September, when they may reach anything up to 120° in the shade, but the
humidity at Bushire is comparatively low in relation to many other places in the Persian Gulf. '
The high summer temperature does not appreciably affect the work of local labour, but Europeans
find it extremely trying working in the open.
It is cool from November to March (except at mid-day) and the general winter climate is very
pleasant. ^ J
Rainfall is low and averages 10 in. a year, which generally falls in December and January.
Dust storms occur with northerly winds during the summer months and mav considerably affect
visibility off-shore. v J
The sea temperature is high during the summer months and between June and September 13th
seldom below 90°.
(5) Anchorages
Outer Anchorage .—Marked by a white flashing buoy. This anchorage is completely exposed to
the prevailing north and south winds, and contact between ship and shore cannot always be made
especially during the winter months, when high seas may be expected for periods of several da V s’
There is ample water here for vessels of deep draught up to 36 ft., and the holding ground is good