"دليل بلاد فارس، الجزء III، وهو يتضمن محافظة فارس، لورستان، عربستان، خوزستان، يزد، كرمانشاه، أردلان، كردستان" [و‎‎٣‎٦] (٦٨٦/٧٦)

49 4
AHW-AHW
cavating the canal proposed, the deepest cutting required is to the
south of point B, and it is judged that to construct it, so that it shafl
have a 10 7 depth throughout, below points A and B, the average cut
ting would not exceed 20 feet in depth (cutting below B 25 feet).
“ It is difficult to estimate the amount of sandstone that would be
met with in its excavation ; in places it seemed to have a considerable
covering of sand and clay, and that these alternated with it in
layers.
“To the eastward of Captain Wells' proposed line of canal, not a
difficult or costly project, lies, abreast of Ahwaz, a gently undulating
and open fertile plain, slopes of 2° and 3°; and below the low sand
stone ridge, abreast of No. 3 rapid, a level plain of sand and clay,
covered with loose stones. Without doubt a canal, about 100 feet wide,
did at one time exist to the eastward of Ahwaz, and perhaps connect
ing the river below the rapids, near the point A, with the river some
distance above the point B; for, by the indentation of the ground, the
luxuriance of the crops grown in it, &c., its line can be clearly traced,
and where it cut through the ridge of sandstone, abreast of No. 1 falls,
there is still the remains of a bridge of two arches. The low ground
between the ruined bridge and the river to the north-westward, no doubt
taken advantage of or caused by the canal, enables the lower northern
slopes of the hills to be seen from the opposite bank of the river. This
line of old canal is marked c C' on plan.
“If* right in the above conjecture, it might prove less expensive to
re-open this old line of canal to excavating a new one; its line on the
accompanying plan shows it to lie a few hundred yards to the east
ward of the Ahwaz ridge.
“ Again, it would seem that the tunnel, or rather cut, through the
rock near No. 3 rapid was in some way connected with a canal either
for navigation or irrigation.
“ Rapid No. 5 is no formidable obstacle, and in March, when the
river was moderately full, was scarcely perceptible. A cheap and
feasible project would thei’efore seem to be to run the canal from B,
under the high ground on which the village stands, by the cut through
the rock south of obstacle No. 2, to a point C, below rapid No. 4,
cutting an in-shore channel round No. 5 rapid. This diversion from
Captain Wells' line is marked ' A ' on plan. This channel would in
no way affect the river up-stream. The lock at C would be well pro
tected, and the length of canal be but 1,600 yards, with an average
depth of cutting estimated at 20 feet, by no means altogether through
rock. To cheaply avoid transhipment is far preferable to a tramway,
or the use of transport animals.
“ With reference to the defence of Ahwaz should be noted—
“I,—the mounds, uneven ground, and ponds about Kot-Abdula;
^ „ <e II,—the limestone ridge abreast of the fort;
Defence. „ IU) _ the f ort .
“I.—'.Can be taken in reverse by fire from the right bank of the
river, and can be readily outflanked on the left bank*
* Major Bell was unable to examine the ground as closely as he desired. The prince
was encamped, with an escort of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, on the high ground ex
tending from the village to No. 3 rapids; and to stroll about the camp was not admissible.