Page 622 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

578 NAVIGATION OF TIIE

where it divides into two branches, one
called Khore Shetna, formed
by Woorba Island and the main, which continues navigable for lar<re
boats above Bussora, and is supposed to be the canal described by Ar­
rian in the voyage of Nearchus. The other branch is called Khore
Boobian, for in the island of that name, which forms the
western bank
of both this and Khore Abdoolla, it is here narrow. but safe, having deep
water in it, and after passing Woorba Island it branches off to the south­
ward. It runs this way (and is not more than half a mile wide) with from
three to seven fathoms at low-water spring tides, until it again enters
the Gulf near the islands of Muclian and Phelecchi, when the passage
is very intricate, owing to the number of knolls, nearly dry, and can only
be used by the native boats at half flood. (The whole of these Khores
are salt water). Nearly in the centre, but rather towards the eastern
entrance of Khore Abdoolla, is an extensive and very dangerous shoal,
called by the natives Fasht al Aich. The channel on the western side
is formed by it and Boobian Khore el Giet. It has from three to five
fathoms in it. Khore Abdoolla has regular soundings from three to eight
fathoms. Ras-ool-Giet is the north-eastern point of Boobian Island.
The western point of Khore el Giet is in lat. 29° 46' 53" N., long. 48° 17'
50" E. From this to the island of Phcleechi the flat extends a consi-
derable distance off shore, and Boobian Island should not be approach­
ed nearer than five fathoms, as the in-draught of the flood is so great that
a vessel would find it difficult to get an offing in a south-easter. You
may anchor in any depth from four to six fathoms off Pheleechi, with
the town SW.by W., but recollect the rise and fall are eleven feet.

FROM THE EASTERN POINT OF THE EUPHRATES ALONG
THE COAST OF PERSIA.
Eastern Point.
The eastern point of the Shat el Arab, or Euphrates, is in lat. 29° 57
50" N., long. 48° 30' 23" E. It is low, and not perceptible more than
six or seven miles off. It is a complete mudbank, and is gaining on the
river, as it has extended nearly one mile further down during the last
twelve or fifteen years. Several villages of the Chaab Arabs are situated
near this point, and there are large quantities of cattle on its banks.
Inspector’s Channel.
Inspector’s Channel is a gut, running out of the river into Khore
Gufgah, having in it a fathom and a quarter at low-water, an a
high is very narrow, especially where it enters the channe s r
parallel with the shore, commencing about a mile and a half e

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