"تقرير استخباراتي عن بلاد فارس. مايو، ١٩٤٦" [و‎‎٢‎٦] (٨٠/٥١)

[Part V — continued']
(B) PORTS
(7) Quayage, Cranage and Clearance of Quays
There are no quays or cranes. Unloading is by dhow lighter from ships to the beach and all
merchandise is manhandled by local coolie labour.
There is a small stone jetty in Jask Creek, about 1 mile from the R.A.F. camp, but this is only
available for local craft entering at high water.
All unloading is necessarily slow.
(9) Harbour Craft
Four dhows are available, approximate capacity being 20 tons each. These are owned by Sayed
Mohd. Saleh, who is the B.I. agent. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining these dhows, but it is
thought that further craft are not readily available.
(10) Landing of Men, Stores and Vehicles by Water Transport
Men and stores could be disembarked easily on the beaches and M.T. landed from landing craft.
(11) Warehouses and Stacking Space
Warehouse accommodation is extremely limited.
(12) Coal, Oil and Water
There are no coal or fuel stocks. Water is not available for boilers.
(13) Docks, Slipways and Repair Facilities
Nil.
(14) Facilities for Clearing the Port Area
Rail—Nil.
There are no roads, but caravan tracks lead to Bandar Abbas and Chahbar.
(15) Normal Functions of Port
The only export is dried fish manure to India.
Imports include rice, tea, flour, sugar, grain, timber and cloth.
In peace time the B.I. northbound and southbound slow mails call once a week.
Dhows trading between Gulf ports and India make infrequent calls.
(16) Estimated Daily Capacity
Very small, probably not more than 30 tons per day, depending on availability of labour and craft.
i (b) THE TOWN
(1) General
Jask village, in which is a stone fort, extends about 1 mile north-eastward along the shore of the
bay, from a position about half-a-mile north-north-eastward of the Cape. The fort is in a ruinous
condition with a few houses and date palms near it, and a range of white sandhills south-eastward
of it ; it is not easily identified from seaward. Cable and Wireless Ltd., had a cable station here
until 1937 and the principal buildings are still in existence, also the three large blocks of the Telegraph
Station 4 cables north-east of Cape Jask. Two W/T masts 140 ft. high are situated close to these
buildings.
Up to 1940 Jask was of some slight importance as a refuelling airfield for Dutch and French
airlines. The whole village and area now present the most desolate appearance.
(2) Streets and Through-Routes
The streets are narrow and unpaved.
(3) Rail Facilities
Nil.
(4) Population and Labour
The population is now only about 1,200.
About 250 coolies are usually available for unloading if notice is given.
(5) Government and Municipal Establishments
The former Cable and Wireless buildings are now partially occupied by the Persian Posts and
Telegraphs. During the war (1939-1945) this was controlled by an Indian Army signal unit. There
is a Deputy Governor living in the village whose clerk officiates when the Deputy Governor is on leave.
There is also a Collector of Customs and Chief of Police.
(6) Billeting
There are few houses suitable for billets, but the Telegraph buildings could doubtless be utilised.
(7) Light and Power
Nil.
(C58272) F