Page 263 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XII. 237
tun ted by the insecurity in the Tigris, which led the Turkish Government to
prohibit the transport of valuable goods in sailing lighters. Colonel
New march (letter dated 12th December1 1902, to Sir N. O’Conor) thought
that an extra steamer was absolutely necessary to rolievo the congestion, and
that this was a suitable opportunity for pressing the L*orto for the required
permission to employ a third steamer on the river. It does not appear that any
move was made by Sir N. O’Conor on this suggestion. Any intention on his
part to do anything, would probably havo been given up, since on 8th Septem­
ber, 1903 Colonel Nowraarch reported “ that the congestion has long since
ceased and Messrs. Lynch’s steamors arc at the present time far from fully
laden.”

(xiv) Unsatisfactory character of the mail service maintained by the
Euphrates and Tigris Navigation Company, 1899-1903.
294. There havo been of late complaints against the delay in the carriage of
mails between Baghdad and Basrah by the British river steamers. It appears
that these steamers arrive frequently too late for the British India Steam
Navigation Company’s mail steamers at Basrah, and lienee both the outgoing
and ingoing mails are delayed for days at
Eitcrnal A., August 1890, Nos 12—16. that place. At first there were delays
External A., October ltiCO, No. 3G.
caused also by the British India Steam
Navigation Company’s steamers. But arrangements havo been made since
1899 for accelerating the speed of the steamers and avoiding delays.
295. Two causes have been assigned by Messrs. Lynch as mainly causiug
External A., October 1903, Nos. 21—31. the delays in their steamers :—
(1) the unsatisfactory state of the river Tigris at low water ;
(2) the insufficient accommodation afforded at the Baghdad Custom
Tfouso for the discharge and loading of cargo, which frequently
leads their steamers to lying idly at Baghdad, owing to the only
available spot being occupied by the Ottoman steamers are native
craft.
293. The Company also laid stress on the services they have rendered to
the British trade. Colonel Ncwmarch in his report (letter No. 3lG, dated
27th June 1993, to tlio Postmaster-General) thought that, making every
allowance for these causes, there was considerable room for improvement in the
service, bv adopting less dilatory methods, by employing faster steamers,
with electric lights and other modern improvements to enable to navigate
during ni"ht time. He also proposed that money penalties should he impossd
on the Company for failing to connect with the British India Steam Navigation
steamers. Colonel Newmarch was of opinion that, though every credit should
he "iven to the Company for the blessings their enterprise has conferred on tho
British trade, they have had the practical monopoly of the carrying trade and
have imposed freights astonishingly high, as high for carriage between Baghdad
and Basrah, as between London and Basrah. They have earned high dividends
and ought to adopt an improved servico by spending a little more money.
297. The Government of India in addressing the Secretary of State express­
ed concurrence in the remarks of Colonel
Ibxd No'22' Ncwmarch as to the desirability of secur­
ing a more punctual and regular service, a point which they submitted for
consideration in connection with the renewal of the mail contract which expired
on 30th April 1904 (Despatch No. 150, dated 24th September 1903).

(xv) Opening of an improved Turkish steam boat service on the
Tigris, 1904. •

298. In January 1904 it wasroported that tho Seniye Department (Sultan’s
Civil List) had purchased tho river steamers of the Oman Ottoman Company
• Ax regards older Turkish steam ssrrico soc paragraphs 1G6-A, 131 and 27G - 278 of ibis Part.
SGIGED