Page 131 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat
P. 131

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             Bahrain Registered Croft. Tho local boat-building industry is by no means
       flourishing, nor likely to be until tho pearling industry improves. There is a slight
       improvement upon the position in 1355, as indicated in tho following tables:—

                                                       Motor | Sailing
                                              Barges.                  Total.
                                                       Craft. ; Craft.

       Registered craft at tho end of 1355         7      09   1,022    1,098
       Newly built in 1350                                 3      10      13
       American motor-dinghys imported                    13              13
       Foreign launches newly registered                   4               4
       Foreign craft newly registered              3       2      55      00
       New craft fitted with old engine                    1               1
                                                  10      92 ! 1,087    1,189
       Launches converted to sail                          2       2

                                                  10      90    1,089   1,189
       LESS:

       Sold to foreign ports :                             2      34
       Removed by owner to foreign port            1
       Old craft broken                                    1      16
       Lost at sea                                                 6
       New Craft sold to foreign port                              1

                                                   1       3      57      61
       Actual numbpr of Bahrain registered craft of
         all kinds at end of 1356                  9      87    1,032   1,128

                                    Totals ...    10      90    1,089   1,189


             The system of issuing free manifests for cargo carried in Native Craft to the
       mainland ports of Saudi-Arabia is still maintained ; but the arrangement for recipro­
       cation does not seem to be so well carried out, and complaints are heard of charges
       being levied by local mudirs upon Nukhudhas bearing Bahrain manifests which in
       some cases are distinctly unjust. It would be a good thing for inter-Gulf traffic
       if the native craft carrying cargo from D’bai, Slmrja, and Kuweit should also carry
       manifests, thus ensuring equality of treatment on the Arabian side of the Gulf.
       Complaints are also heard that the Registration papers of Bahrain craft are
       destroyed by Government officials on the Iran side of the Gulf.


             Accident within the Port. On 6th April 1937 the s.s. “ Akagisan Maru ” of the
       Mitsui Line discharged into a native craft three hundred and sixty bags of Oita
       Portland Japanese cement. The craft foundered en route to the shore, its contents
       being lost; but the craft was afterwards raised, and did not become a danger to
       navigation. There were no casualties.

             On 19th December 1937, the Government launch on Quarantine service came
       into collision with another motor launoh, and was badly damaged. It was towed
       ashore for repairs, but there were no casualties.


             Lighting of the Port There has been no improvement in the lighting of the
       port during the past year, which ha9 never been entirely satisfactory; and the
       increasing traffic demands an improvement, especially on the Manamah side, where
       is the best anohorage in Bahrain. The anchorage at Sitrah, while suitable for servioe
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