526 



Wood's Report on the River Indus. 



[No. 115. 



and another, until the surface of the river becomes studded with those 

 uncouth, yet really interesting objects. As may be supposed, this 

 mode of navigation is tedious, the daily stages not averaging more 

 than from ten to twenty miles. Delays too are not unfrequent in the 

 dry season ; but never exceed fifteen days, and rarely extend to half 

 that number. 



When there is a prospect of a long detention, it is customary for 

 large boats to transfer a portion of their cargo into smaller ones, and 

 take it on board again when the shoal water is past. In high wind, 

 the boats remain fast by the bank of the river. The two following 

 Tables are inserted in illustration of the above remarks : — 



Tables, shewing the cargo draft of the largest boats upon the Indus, 

 with the least water in the continuous channel, during the dry 

 season of 1837- 



Draft of Boats. Channel. 



Class of Boats. 



Cubic Draft. 



Gunwale above 

 water line. 



Places. 



Depth. 



1st Class, 



2nd ditto, . . 

 3rd ditto, ..... 



4th ditto, 



5th ditto, 



Ft. In. 

 5 Oi 

 4 9 

 4 3 

 3 3 

 3 



10 Inches. 

 9 ditto. 

 9 ditto. 

 7 ditto. 

 5i ditto. 



Gooloo, .... 

 Lillong, . . 

 Mycotta, . . 

 Bulalpoor, . 

 Kaira, . ... 



Ft. In. 



3 8 



4 4 

 4 8 

 4 1 

 4 8 



The places in the above Table are all situated between Sehewan and 

 Roree ; but they furnish a good example of the depth in other places. 



Boats descending in the freshes, proceed as above described. In this 

 season the length of the voyage is much shortened, though attended 

 with considerably more risk. A pilot is still required ; but a previous 

 examination of the channel is not always considered necessary. 



The following Table gives a statement of the downward voyage at 

 opposite seasons of the year. It embraces the whole navigable extent 

 of the river, and includes Pilotage where such a custom prevails. The 

 voyages are such as are rarely performed even by Sinde boats, even 

 when the river is clear, and other circumstances favourable. 



