1841.] Wood's Report on the River Indus. 541 



There is one point in the above report, where I conceive a different 

 arrangement must be made upon the Indus to what prevails on the 

 Ganges. Most of the fuel depots on the Indus must be afloat. If 

 wood firing is used, there is no alternative, for otherwise the time lost 

 taking it on board will cancel all the other advantages of steam. 



The banks of the Ganges are high, substantial, and compared to the 

 banks of this river— permanent. Towns overlook the river ghauts, or 

 landing places are constructed on the banks, and the steam boat at 

 most of the stations has only to shore alongside the ghaut and receive' 

 her fuel. 



It is very diiferent with the Indus. Towns stand within two miles of 

 the river, and the banks are ever varying their outline. I would there- 

 fore recommend that large manageable flats be used for this purpose, and 

 anchored at such distances apart as subsequent experience may suggest ; 

 their draft should be restricted to 3 feet 6 inches, and each should 

 have a small boat attached, by which means the crew of the flat 

 would be able to keep the floating well supplied from the shore store. 



I am further of opinion, that were the zohauKs defective steerage 

 overcome, steamers built upon her model will prove efficient boats. 



Ylll.— Of Fuel for Steam Boats. 



The jungle on the banks of the Indus contains the following trees: — 



1. Mangrove. — Found in the Delta, is plentiful, and burns well. 

 Though it attains no great height, it has sometimes a circumference 

 of 12 feet. 



2. Kundie. — Rarely exceeds 9 feet in height, and is found, though 

 not confined to the locality under the Lukkee mountains, between Chand- 

 kote and Sehewan. In Lower Sinde, this wood is scarce ; but twelve 

 miles south of Mittun, on the west bank of the river, is an extensive 

 jungle, in which this is the most common tree ; the hardness of its fibre 

 and the crookedness of its grain, make it in great request among the 

 boat-builders. 



3. Baun. — Little of this wood is seen below Hyderabad ; but between 

 that capital and Sehewan the tree is common. As a fuel, it is useless. 



4. Jail or Pello. — This tree is found in every part of the river's course. 

 Between the river and Desert, two descriptions of trees prevail. Taraa- 



3 Y 



