ملف ٥٠/ ١٩١٤، الجزء ١٠، "الخليج الفارسي: الإضاءة والطافيات؛ توريد سفينة حفيظة على المنارة؛ السفينة نيارخوس" [و‎‎٢‎١‎٥] (٤٧٠/٤٣٤)

3
The construction of lighthouses at Shaikh Shuaib, Bushire, Kubbar, Ras
al Aiz, and Ivishm, from the different nature of the structures, could he
undertaken separately and in any required sequence, as m these cases
continual attention by the ship would not be so essential.
In all cases 1 would recommend that the illuminant adopted for light
houses m the Persian Gulf be ordinary lighthouse paraffin. As incandescent
oil burners of the “ Chance ” type are already installed on the coast of India,
I would suggest that the same system be adopted for the lights now under
discussion, as the lighthouse officials appointed to the Gulf will in all
probability have had some experience of these burners in Burma, Madras,
and other portions of the Indian coast.
In regard to machinery and the working parts of each lighthouse, only
mechanism of the simplest nature is recommended, in view of its maintenance
by local keepers.
Depot.
While the earliest works are in progress in the Gulf, the establishment of
the gasworks should be completed. The site for the depot and gasworks
which appeared to me to offer the greatest advantages in the Persian Gulf
was the shore of the Sweikh Channel at Koweit, when it transpired that a
portion of the adjoining land had already been secured by the British
Government. I subsequently inferred, and have assumed, that the con
struction of a pier or jetty at this point is in contemplation, and that part of
this British land will be placed at the disposal of the lighthouse authorities
for the establishment of a buoy yard, gas works, &c., and that the pier or
jetty will he available for the use of the lighthouse service.
The cost of establishing gasworks, erecting a small workshop, oil storage
tanks, store houses, offices, forming buoy yard, and boundary walls, would
probably entail an expenditure of about 22,000b, complete with spare light
vessel, gas buoys, unlit buoys, moorings, and general equipment, but nothing
has been allowed in this estimate for the purchase of land, or any proportion
of the cost of the proposed pier.
On the assumption that the work already contemplated by the Govern
ment at Koweit will be commenced immediately, matters would be
considerably simplified if the establishment of the lighthouse depot formed a
part of the Admiralty scheme, and if the work could be carried out by their
constructive staff.
It is assumed that Koweit will shortly be placed in telegraphic
communication with Bushire.
The cost of maintaining the depot is covered by the corresponding
amounts given for each of the proposed lights.
Light Vessels.
Simultaneously with the building or adaptation of the steam tender the
construction of one or more light vessels could be undertaken. They should
be modelled, both as regards hull and lighting apparatus, on the most recent
Trinity House practice; and I would suggest that they be copper-sheathed
composite ships, about 85 feet in length. Each ship should be_ fitted with
storage gas holders for the maintenance of a dioptric light, similar to those
on this principle established successfully in France and England.
The dioptric apparatus should consist of large fourth order panels of
375 m/m. focal distance, and each ship should be arranged to show a single
flashing white light, so that she could be removed from, or placed on, any
station without alteration. This can be done without any possible confusion
of lights. They should be fitted with 2-wick capillary stand-by lamps.
In England the crew of such a vessel consists of six men, i.e., four on
board antTtwo on relief; but in the Persian Gulf I would suggest that the
crew consist of six men on board and two on relief.
I estimate the cost of such a vessel, complete, with moorings on her
station in the Gulf, at approximately 9,500L, and the maintenance at about
650L per annum, inclusive of w^ages, stores, penodical oveihaul, and all
sums chargeable against the ship for the maintenance of the depot at
Koweit.