1 (78-32
2 these months they carry 200 maunds each or more, and draw 24
3 feet of water at least. If tolerably repaired, they will last several
4 years. The freightage from Lahore to Kurrachee would be about one
5 Rupee or two shillings per maund or Rupees 28 (£2-16s.) per ton, and
6 about half that amount from Mooltan to Kurrachee. The voyage from
7 Lahore to Kurrachee can, under fairly favorable circumstances, be per-.
8 formed in thirty-five days, but it might last for six weeks. The upward
9 trip from Kurrachee to Lahore might last fifteen weeks, There is of course
10 some: risk of stoppage from sand banks and occasionally danger from
11 velocity of current.
12 122, The Indus Flotilla steamers belong to the Bombay Government,
13 . They ply regularly from Kurrachee upwards to
14 Mooltan, but seldom beyond that place. ' On
15 special occasions, the steamers have, during the rainy season, proceeded as
16 far as Kalabagh on the Indus, or Jhelum on the Jhelum, or Lahore on
17 the Ravee, and Ferozepore on the Sutlej. But they do not appear to be
18 generally suited for navigating the Punjab rivers. Their draught is too
19 great for the shallow waters in the winter months, Their accom-
20 modation is not very large, and they are of course much occupied by
21 passengers, troops, Government stores, and treasure. Their freight from
22 Mooltan to Kurrachee is about 10 or 12 annas per maund, that is, 60 or
23 80 per cent. in excess of the rates by native craft. The down trip is
24 performed in about twelve days, and the up trip in twenty-five days. The
25 character and merits of these vessels can be best described by the Govern-
26 ment to which they pertain. So far as the’ Punjab is concerned, it
27 may be said that they are serviceable in a certain way; they are useful
28 to the Government and to the European community, and render
29 some assistance to traffic. But they are not sufficiently numerous or
30 capacious or inexpensive, to materially ote the export trade of these
31 Territories,
32 123. For some time past the Civil Officer resident at Mithunkote,
33 Traffic by country Just below the junction of the Five Rivers, where
34 boats. the several fleets of boats must unite, has kept up
35 a registration of the native craft passing up and down the Indus. The
36 last return received for the third quarter of 1855-56 showed 668 boats,
37 passing down with cargo of 2,41,185 maunds or 8,613 tons, and 159
38 boats passing up with cargo of 23, 376 maunds or 835 tons—in all
39 827 boats, with cargoes of 2,64,561 maunds or 9,447 tons, These numbers
40 L
41 The Indus Flotilla.