The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan government, Vol. 1 (of 2)Sudan. Wizarat al-Naql wa-al-Muwasalat
History
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan: a compendium prepared by officers of the Sudan government, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Sudan. Wizarat al-Naql wa-al-Muwasalat
Sudan -- Description and travel; Sudan -- History
At point (D) the haulage became very difficult, as the river thence,
for 600 yards, to point (G), in mid-stream, is intersected by isolated
rocks, upon which it was necessary to have groups of men in order
to pass the rope from one rock to another. From point (G) the hawser
was then led to the mainland. Guy ropes were used throughout.
After passing the rock marked (G) powerful steamers, of the
“Zafir” class, were able to steam, without further haulage, to
El Bana, but otherwise it was necessary to use ropes for hauling up
to El Bana.
On leaving El Bana, the channel on the right bank was followed,
and though the water was rapid in places, rushing between numerous
small islands, no great difficulty was encountered until arrival at
the foot of the Geridu (Geriddo) Rapids (3¼ miles up). Here it was
necessary to tie up to the bank in order that each steamer might
pass over the rapid separately.
It will be seen that the channel takes a very sharp turn here (between
points A and B); a large volume of water rushes with considerable
force between an island (440 yards long, with a rock at the west end)
and the south bank (a promontory on the south bank), where a rope
was attached to a rock, and then gradually eased off to let the bow
go round.
From Geridu to Hosh El Geruf the channel is devoid of obstacles.
The channel taken was by the right, until El Shwadiyat was reached,
whence it crosses to the left bank and continues thus as far as
Rakabat El Gamal; here the river becomes a maze of small islands. The
channel continues by the left (?) bank of Dulka Island (known by the
natives as Dirbi), smaller islands being left on the starboard side.
The current thence became very strong, and continued so until Kirbekan
Rapids was reached.
At the bottom of these rapids the steamers were stopped, but the
cataract, after examination, having been considered passable without
haulage, each steamer went over it separately, in order to prevent
any risk of one hampering another.
The main stream was then followed as far as Uss Rapids; here the
volume of water was very great. From the top of Uss Rapids the channel
followed was by the left bank as far as Sherari Island, whence it
passes by the right bank of that island, and thence between it and
Shirri Island to the right bank of the river.
The river now becomes very broad, and navigation is practicable
on either bank from Salamat to Hebi. From Hebi to Abu Selem the
channel is by the left bank. In Huella Rapids there was a strong
rush of water.
The river now becomes much intersected by small islands, and, though
navigation is not very difficult, skilful pilotage is necessary.
Wood was found in the following places:—
El Bana. Salamat.
Hosh El Geruf. Abu Selem.
Uss village. Left bank, just below Mograt Island.
ITINERARY (LEFT BANK) FROM ABU DOM SANAM TO OPPOSITE HEBI (OR HEBBA)
(_Major Slade, R.A., February_, 1885.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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