THE EASTERN NILE BANK, SOUTH OF HALFA.
| Place. | Miles. Kilometres. | Left (West) Bank. | River and General. | Right (East) Bank. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-mediate. | From Halfa Camp. | ||||
| Faras Island | 20 32 | Bare, except for a few huts and patchesof cultivation. Sandy and rocky, sloping to the river | Northern point of the SudanAdministration on river. River some 800 yards in width, current 1½miles per hour at low Nile to 3 miles per hour at high Nile | Cultivated in general. Palm trees. Sandy.Banks 20 feet at low Nile, 4 feet at high. | |
| Jebel Sahaba | 12 | 8 | The 22nd parallel crosses the river atthis point | Jebel Sahaba, hill on R. bank. | |
| Dabarosa | 5 | 3 | Fertile island. | ||
| Halfa | 1½ | 1½ | Difficult approach to right bank at lowNile. Numerous sandbanks appear, varying from year to year on thisstretch | A commercial town of about 2,500inhabitants, of which about 200 are Greeks. (See ChapterIII, [page 85.]) Landing place for goods andpassengers. Headquarters of Halfa Province. Terminus of S.G.R. | |
| Halfa Camp (802 miles by river fromCairo) | 1½ | 0 | Nearly opposite Halfa is the QuarantineCamp, on a sandy slope | The best description of the river betweenthe 2nd and 3rd cataracts (including both) is by Commander Hammill,R.N., whose report (1884) is to be found in H.S.C., Vol. I.,Appendix O | Headquarters of the Sudan Railway.Landing place close to officers’ mess. Bank 10 to 30 feet aboveriver (226 miles from Shellal). |
| Khor Musa | 5 | 5 | The bank generally gets more rocky andbroken | Some additional matter, with large-scale(but inaccurate) map of the different rapids, is given in O.G.H.,pp. 9-25 | Fort now in ruins. Action v. Dervishes1888. Bank broken and rocky. Huge boulders. |
| Foot of 2nd cataract (Shellal elAmka) | 1½ | 6½ 10½ | The cataract, 8½ miles in length, isimpassable for steamers and nearly so for any but small boats atlow Nile, and only navigable with difficulty at high Nile. At highNile it is a rumbling mass of rapids, whilst at low Nile it is abroken expanse of black rock, with shallow channels finding theirway between. The Batn El Hagar (Belly of rocks) is now entered.See Hammill’s report for detail. | ||
| Abu Sir | ½ | 7 | High cliff. Fine view of cataract | The banks of the river between this pointand Ginnis, where the Batn El Hagar is quitted, differ remarkablyin their characteristics. The left or western bank usually presentsa steep slope of loose golden sand, driven by the prevailing windsfrom the great Libyan Desert, varied by black crags jutting out ofit and low rocky hills, while the right or eastern bank isgenerally rocky, free from sand, and in some places almostprecipitous. | |
| Matuka | 3 | 10 16 | Ancient Egyptian fortress of Matuka(XIIth Dynasty). Small temple to S.E. (see Murray, page982). | ||
| Head of 2nd cataract | 3 | 13 21 | Between the head of the 2nd cataract andthe foot of the Semna Rapid the Nile runs through a sterile anduninviting country, the eastern side covered with masses of blackrocks, the western with mountains of yellow sand. The navigation isdescribed as “difficult, dangerous, and tedious.” | ||
| Gemai | 2 | 15 | Used in 1884-5 as head of railway,portage for boats, &c. | ||
| Murshid | 10 | 25 | |||
| Sarras | 8 | 33 53 | Advanced post and fort of the Frontierforce 1886 to 1896. | ||
| Ruin | 1 | 34 | Ancient Egyptian fort | Railway here leaves the river bank andenters the rocky desert to the East. | |
| Melik | 6 | 40 64 | Melik Island; ancient temple of SikatorI. | ||
| Semna Rapid | 3 | 43 | Semna Temple on height about 300 feetabove river. Jebel Barga just behind | Here a narrow ridge of gneiss forms anawkward barrier. At high Nile the river sweeps over it withoutperceptible diminution of width (430 yards), but at low Nile therocks are bare save for a narrow channel, 45 yards broad and 65feet deep, formed by erosion. (Gregory.) | Kumna Temple on height about 400 feetabove river. |
| Atiri Rapid | 7 | 50 80 | The obstructions to navigation consist of2 “gates” about 1½ miles apart; of these the lower gate presents nodifficulty. It is about 300 yards long, and steamers are able tosteam up through it at “half Nile” without unloading. The upper“gate” is more troublesome to pass, the channel being obstructed bya great barrier of rocks which stretch quite 200 yards across theriver, leaving at “low Nile” only a narrow gap towards the westernbank. At “high Nile” another channel exists near the opposite bank.Not serious. | ||
| Ambugol Rapid | 7 | 57 | One mile long; channel near right bank.Fall 3 feet. Not difficult. | ||
| Tanjur Rapid | 15 | 72 116 | Bank low and even, desert sand up toriver | Extends for about 3 miles. Awkward crosscurrents at foot. Western channel best. “Gates” at either endstraight and clear, but considerable rush of water. Difficult rapidaltogether | Bank high and precipitous, much brokenup. |
| Jebel Alimula | 2 | 74 | Road passes to west of J. Alimula and bya precipitous track cutting off bend to Sonki. | ||
| Sonki | 3 | 77 | |||
| Omka | 2 | 79 | Bank low and fairly level | Slight rapid, not serious | Range of hills recedes from river banklow and even. |
| Hammam | 5 | 84 135 | Hot spring (sulphur) for rheumatism,etc. | ||
| Akasha | 1 | 85 137 | Easy rapid. Ridge of rocks extends acrossriver. Western channel best | At the village of this name the railwaytouches the river for the first time since Sarras. Macdonald’sadvanced brigade occupied this, April, 1896. Headquarters ofDistrict and residence of Mamur. | |
| Kulba | 8 | 93 150 | Late boundary (1903) between HalfaDistrict and Dongola Province | River begins to open out. | |
| Dal Cataract | 5 | 98 158 | Bank low and even. Village here and onadjoining islands. On one island is a Mameluke fort, whence goodview obtainable | Broken water about 4 miles, numerousislands with high cliffs, difficult rapid, careful pilotagerequired—low ridges and rocks well covered at high Nile. Channel byright bank till half-way up, and then cross to left. Total width ofriver about 1,500 yards. Fall of 5 feet | Bank higher than opposite one, evenlyundulating. Becomes gradually cultivated. Jebel Dal, 4 miles to theeast, tall conical hill, 1,973 feet. |
| Sarkamatto | 6 | 104 167 | Desert road here leaves river for a shortcut of 19 miles S.W., to Sakiet El Abd | The river from here to Amara, 16 mileson, is in parts full of small islands, but offers nodifficulty | Cultivated tract, dominated in its upperportion by Jebel Firket, 1,880 feet. The action of 6.7.1896 tookplace to the south of this hill, and a mile north of Firketvillage. The railway, after short cut from Akasha, here comes closeto the river, and follows it through Mograka to Kosha, where itturns sharp to the south, following for the first 12 miles thedesert road to Abu Sari. Seven miles to the east lies Jebel Idris,1,720 feet, and 6 miles E.S.E. of the latter rises the mass ofJebel Hamra, 2,368 feet. |
| Jebel Firket | 1 | 105 | |||
| Firket Village | 2 | 107 172 | 3 miles inland is a hill, 1,490 feet,name doubtful | Action here between E.A. and Dervishes:7.6.96. | |
| Sarghun | 4 | 111 | Island near east bank. | ||
| Kosha | 2 | 113 182 | Road leaves river here for SelimaOasis | The channel here turns in a wide curve tothe west. Native boats take 8-10 days from here to Dulgo at highNile with fair wind. | Headquarters of District and residence ofMamur. |
From Kosha onwards both the river banks become more and more cultivated, and are divided into districts varying from 1 to 4 or 5 miles in length, each containing one or more villages: gaps between districts in uncultivated parts.
All these districts consist of a greater or lesser amount of cultivated or uncultivated ground, together with a varying number of palm trees and huts. Each district is under a headman, and groups of them form the various sub-Districts, each under a Police Officer, a varying number of which go to make up a District; and out of these is formed the Province.
Only the more important sub-Districts will be mentioned in the River Itinerary.
| Place. | Miles. Kilometres. | Left Bank. | River and General. | Right Bank. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inter-mediate. | From Halfa Camp. | ||||
| Ginnis | 2 | 115 185 | At actual high Nile the river isnavigable without difficulty from Kosha to Dongola and above; but afortnight later it will be impossible to pass the Kaibar and Hannekcataracts, except in small boats | The action of Ginnis of 30.12.1885 wasfought on the slopes to the west of the village. Bank mostly lowand even. Palm trees; more cultivation. | |
| Amara Rapid | 3 | 118 | Desert sand comes right down toriver | Insignificant except at low Nile; causedby ridge of broken rocks crossing river bed. | |
| Arneti | 5 | 123 | Island 3 miles long, lying in curve,which river here makes to the south. | ||
| Sagiet El Abd | 4 | 127 | Desert road arrives from N.E. acrosscurve. Here a desert road strikes west to Selima (75 miles) and theArbain road. | ||
| Yabri and Sai Island | 3 | 130 | North end of Sai Island. West channelunsurveyed, keep in east channel. | ||
| Koyeka | 5 | 135 217 | Open desert, almost flat for manymiles | Koyeka district; tomb of Sheikh Idris.Ground gradually rises to E. | |
| Jebel Abud | 5 | 140 | South end of Sai Island | Abud district. Jebel Abud 1,598 feet, 4miles inland. | |
| Suarda | 2 | 142 228 | Capture here of Dervish stores by Cavalryafter Firket. Rich district. | ||
| Gurjan Tau | 14 | 156 | Ancient temple. | ||
| Koya | 8 | 164 264 | Desert road leads due south 28 miles (nowater) to rejoin the Nile at Fakir Benti. Proposed route forrailway, 1871 | Channel here turns sharp to the east andafter 10 miles curves S.E. | |
| Abu Sari | 15 | 179 288 | Islands become more frequent, and thechannel turns again definitely to the south | Desert road from Kosha (36 miles withoutwater, excellent going), reaches river here. | |
| Dalgo | 12 | 191 307 | Large and important district. Railwayhere rejoins river from Kosha. Hd. Qrs. of the Mahas District | ||
| Kaibar Cataract (Kajbar, Kagbar) | 12 | 203 325 | Banks even and low, but rocky | Thick (450 yards) low ridge of blackgranite here crosses the river, 1,200 yards wide here. Difficulteven for small boats at low Nile; it presents practically nodifficulty at high Nile | Banks low. Palm trees. The railway herecrosses the river and takes a short cut to Kerma. |
| 4 | 207 | Channel bends sharp to west | Desert road cuts across S.W. to Abu Fatma(18 miles). | ||
| Arduan | 5 | 212 | Arduan Island. Rocky. 9 miles by 4. Southchannel narrow and unnavigable. Keep to left bank. | ||
| Fakr Benti | 10 | 222 | Fakr Benti | River winds through broken, rockycountry. | |
| Jebel Alibersi and Jebel Sadek | 6 | 228 | Jebel Alibersi, overlooking river | Jebel Sadek, 1,220 feet, 3 milesinland. | |
| Shaban Rapids and 3rd or HannekCataract | 1 | 229 368 | Banks low and generally even andcultivated | Four miles of broken water; keep to eastchannel except during highest Nile. 7 to 9 different rapids, theone at the foot being the worst. Not serious at high Nile. Fall, 18feet altogether. The numerous islands are fertile. | Bank broken by low ridges of bouldergranite. |
| Hannek | 2 | 231 | Village. | ||
| Simit Island | 2 | 233 | Large island, 3 by 1½ miles. Keep to westchannel. | ||
| Badin Island | 8 | 241 | Country becomes much flatter | Island 6 miles by 1. Keep to eastchannel. | |
| Abu Fatma | 2 | 243 391 | Rocky and enclosed. The desert road whichleft the river at mile 207 here rejoins it. British Garrison here1885. Boundary between Halfa and Dongola Provinces. | ||
| Kerma (Rest house) | 3 | 246 396 | The Nile between here and Dongola becomesunnavigable for steamers from March to June. There is at othertimes a fortnightly postal steamer between Kerma and Merowe; thisruns all the year round from Dongola to Merowe | Terminus of the railway. Transport toDongola is continued by land at low Nile, and by steamer at highNile. P.T.O. Chief market day Weds. | |
| Hafir (Rest house) | 2 | 248 | British camp here Summer, 1885. Actionhere 20.9.1896. Egyptian Army crossed from right to left bank.Market on Saturdays | Village of Kerma. | |
| Argo Island (Rest house) | 4 | 252 405 | North end of Argo Island, perhaps therichest soil in the Sudan. Thickly populated and highly cultivated.The head man is called the Melik (King) of Argo. The east channelis narrow and navigable for 3 months only. Numerous fertile islandsin west channel. Hd. Qrs. of a District | There are 8 or 10 small villages on E.bank behind Argo Island; cultivation carried on chiefly for the“Demera” crop. | |
| Zawerat | 19 | 271 | Highly cultivated | South end of Argo. | |
| Chief ferry between W. Bank and S. end ofIsland, where boats can always be found | |||||
| Dongola (Rest house) | 9 | 280 450 | Better known to the nativesas El Ordi. Lies 2 miles to the north of the older pre-mahdisttown. Former capital of the Province. British garrison thereMar.-July, 1885. 1,000 inhabitants. Post and telegraph office,residence of a British inspector, and Headquarters of District andresidence of Mamur. The old forts and earthworks built by MustafaPasha Yawar are still to be seen stretching round the town | Numerous sandbanks, sometimes causingdifficulty in landing. A large island now lies opposite thetown. | |
| Between Dongola andthe foot of the 4th cataract the river runs through a plain. Bankslow almost throughout; no obstacles to navigation except sand banksat low and half Nile. From Dongola to Ambugol there is a broadstrip of cultivation on one or other bank, rarely on both at thesame time. From Ambugol the cultivated land gradually increases inextent; both banks are cultivated, and the Dar Shaigia is richerand better cultivated than any district south of the Fayum; thevegetation here is quite tropical in character, and all the islandsare cultivated. Between Belal and Abu Hamed there is littlecultivation, except in the Monasir (El Salamat) country. There arenumerous villages on either bank, and the mud houses are allwhitewashed and of a better class than those below Dongola,generally a short distance behind the cultivated strip. The weatheris variable in October; before reaching Debba the north wind issometimes lost. Debba to Abu Hamed is a warmer district than thecountry below and above these places. Prevailing winds from thenorth; native boats have to be towed between the two places named.The banks themselves are good for towing, but difficulties arise asthe river falls. The most serious obstacles are the Sagias, whichin some cases are only 50 to 100 yards apart. | |||||
| Govt. Mosque, about 60 permanent shopsand 3 or 4 flour mills | |||||
| Irtidi | 1 | 281 | Village. Good road alongside river andtelegraph line | From Dongola to Debba the river isshallow, but clear of any serious obstructions all the year round.A few isolated rocks appear at low Nile. | |
| Khannag | 2 | 283 | Village. | ||
| Sheikh Sherif | 1 | 284 | Small village, ¾ of a mile from river.Intervening space highly cultivated. The road from Dongola runsover alluvial soil at some distance from the river, on theoutskirts of the cultivation | The east bank is desert sand, and almostentirely uncultivated. | |
| Kajatti | 5 | 289 | Name disappearing. Large tomb east ofroad. Few scattered huts. | ||
| Ordi El Monfok | 1 | 290 | Ruined village; good grazing | Name disappearing. | |
| Kasr Wad Nimiri | 1 | 291 | A stone ruin on a mound overlooking theriver. The gravel ridge, which has skirted the road all the way,here comes down to the river. From the last station the river banksare lined with palms and the ground covered with coarse grass | Islands of Lebab, Ab Turki, and Derer.Lebab Island is also spoken of as “Geziret Ashraf,” and was thebirthplace of the Mahdi. | |
| Sahaba | 5 | 296 | Rocky ridge widens out; good campingground; gradually coming under cultivation. | ||
| Akri | 4 | 300 | Stone village. | ||
| Teit, Taetti | 1 | 301 483 | A stone village over a mile in length,situated a ¼ of a mile from the river. Between it and the river isa narrow strip of cultivation. The best camping ground is to thesouth of the village. | ||
| Saati Beshir | 3 | 304 | Domed tomb. Hills within 500 yards ofriver. | ||
| Urbi | 5 | 309 | A large village built where the hillsleave the river, leaving a good open space for camping | Island of same name opposite village veryhighly cultivated. | |
| Sori | 4 | 313 | A long scattered village on the riverbank. A strip of cultivation runs along the river; there is,however, a break in it just north of the large tomb. This is asuitable place for a camp. | ||
| Sali | 4 | 317 | The hills, which had widened out oppositeSori, here come nearly down to the river, leaving room for ashallow camp. A small scattered village with strip of cultivation. The roadfrom Urbi to this place runs over a sandy plain with scatteredmimosa | Malwad opposite south end of Sali. | |
| Khandak (Rest house) | 3 | 320 | Headquarters of District, and residenceof Mamur. Built on a stony mound overlooking the river. Eight and ahalf hours’ steaming from Dongola (October). The town could beeasily defended against a force coming down river or across thedesert from the west. Broken mud wall on west and north sides. Oldsun-dried brick fort in middle of town on the bank; good storage,accommodation for 200 men (British); commands town and approaches.Also 4 well-built brick houses in the town, capable of housing 300men. Town of mud huts clean and well built. Market day on Saturday.Four hundred and forty sagias in the district, each representing 4families. Much wood in the district. Road west into desert toMarghum, etc. Remains of many churches | ||
| Shebatut, or Shabadud | 1 | 321 | About 20 houses, 400 yards from river, atfoot of low hills. Cultivation on banks 200 yards wide. Good spacebetween cultivation and village. Best camping ground at south endof village. This spot was extensively used as a camping groundduring the Nile Expedition. Light Camel Regiment here, Spring of1885 | ||
| Dambo | 2 | 323 | Fifteen houses ½ mile from the river; nocultivation. Good camping ground east of village; mimosa scrub.Banks shelving; compact village, 40 houses; good landing; numerouspalms and acacias | ||
| Goled Bahri and Gibli | 6 2 | 329 331 | Three groups of huts extending over 1mile, ¾ mile from river. Situated in broad alluvial plain, runningdown to river. Monday market; mass of cultivation; 2¾ hours’ steamfrom Khandak; considerable supply of wood, the mimosa trees growingto a great height. On leaving El Goled, the road runs at some distance from the riveracross a rich alluvial plain (cultivated) | Komi Island (cultivated) | East bank gradually becomes moreinhabited and cultivated. |
| Wad Abbas | 3 | 334 | Nani Island | Desert road leads east from Wad Abbas tonear Merowe. (76 miles.) | |
| Rumi | 2 | 336 | Villages Bahri and Gibli | Rumi Island 2 miles on | Stone ruins 2 miles inland tonorth-east. |
| Bakri | 4 | 340 | On nearing this place the ground becomesmore sandy and covered with mimosa scrub. It extends for over 1mile, amidst palms and cultivation. All supplies plentiful. Goodcamping ground to south. Saturday market. | ||
| El Khelaiun, or Kheleiwa | 4 | 344 | From Bakri to this spot (which consistsonly of a poor hut or two) the river banks have been lined withcoarse grass, outside of which is a strip of sand dunes and mimosa,with the road outside this. Cultivation here takes the place of thegrass. Sand dunes still continue. Site of old Christian church.Stones with Greek inscriptions found | Commencement of highly cultivated Lattidistrict, 3 to 4 miles broad, with numerous villages,e.g., Amentogo, Arab Hag, Kodokol, and Megabda. Quantitiesof date palms and wood. | |
| Kankalab | 1 | 345 | Village of 30 tukls, on a high bankoverlooking a broad strip of cultivation, which intervenes betweenit and the river. Good camping ground 1 mile south | River shallow. Former site of GhaddarIsland | District narrows down as hills approachriver from north-east to Ghaddar, etc. |
| Old Dongola, locally pronounced“Tóngălo” | 6 | 351 564 | Dongola Gharbi. Well cultivated, manytrees; shelving banks and good landing. A long, scattered village,separated from the river by a broad strip of cultivation. Betweenthe village and the desert is a tract covered with mimosa and “deadsea fruit.” Fairly well wooded. Wednesday market | Baja Island | Old Dongola, on the right bank, is adeserted town of ruined mud houses, containing not more than 30able-bodied men. The people live in the island of Hamur, a littlehigher up stream, and in the cultivated districts on the west bank;much wood in surrounding country; 422 sagias. It is built on arocky height, overlooking the river and the desert to the east. Itis capable of easy defence, and might be held by a very smallforce. In rear of the town are the ruins of a once strong fort. Severesand storms are frequent. There is one mosque built over an oldChristian church commanding the river, village, and surroundingcountry. Cliffs, old sandstone, 30-70 feet high. |
| El Ghaba | 4 | 355 | A small village with a clump of trees.There is a break in the cultivation here, and space on the riverfor good camping ground. Markets Tuesdays and Fridays | Tangussi Island, very fertile; 8 mileslong. Narrow east channel | Fertile stretch opposite Tangussi. |
| Abu Gussi | 1 | 356 | Was an important village, with roadstriking south-west to Omdurman and El Fasher. British Garrison,1885. Now deserted; river eating away banks and cultivation | Good landing west bank. On leaving AbuGussi, the river changes its course to nearly east and west. Theleft bank to Debba is highly cultivated, and a little vegetation isvisible on the right bank. | |
| Giref | 4 | 360 | The country between Abu Gussi and Debbais hard, sandy going, with low hills on the right hand, and broadpatches of cultivation on the left. A desert road to Mahtul, 40miles, here leaves the river. | ||
| Karad or Kurot | 9 | 369 | Just north of Debba; 45 sagias; steepbanks. Good landing for all boats. General Brackenbury’s brigadewas quartered here during the spring of 1885 | Argi Island | Argi district, cultivated. |
| Debba (Rest house) | 2 | 371 596 | Consists of old field works of 430 yardsperimeter, enclosing a few huts. Was garrisoned in 1884 by 250Bashi Buzuks. Headquarters of the District, and residence of Mamur.Wheat, barley, dura and wood procurable from neighbouringcultivated districts. A direct road to Omdurman starts from hereviâ Abu Gerad. The position is excellent, the fort being surroundedon the south by an open sandy plain, covered by slight bush, andabutting on the river on the north, where there is a good landingplace, steamers and heavily laden boats being able to come closealongside. Cultivation along the banks of the river recommencesabout a mile distant, east and west of the fort. The Wadi Melh, adry shallow valley, debouches on to the plain, where its course is lost in the sand. Byfollowing up the course of this valley, the old and now little usedKordofan caravan road is joined, leading to Bir Mahtul and ElObeid. A commercial centre (formerly) for ivory and gum from, andfor European merchandise for Kordofan and Darfur. Geologicalformation, Nubian sandstone, acted on by heat, and metamorphosed onthe surface. Petrified wood is found in great quantities | River here 750 yards wide; coursesouth-east and north-west. Various cultivated islands such as Gira(373), Tambanarti (382), Ganeti (391, keep to north bank),Jigarnarti (397), and Husseinarti (404), dot the riverhereabouts | Right bank bare as a rule, withcultivated patches at intervals. Ruined castle at Abkor (380). |
| Abu Dom | 16 | 387 623 | The road passes over sand and some slightsandhills while passing Abu Dom. An important village of about 300men; the houses are scattered along the edge of the sand; there are30 water-wheels and a few palms. Cultivation: dura, wheat, Indiancorn. Market on Wednesdays. The most southerly point on the riverbefore reaching Berber. A more northerly course is then taken. Theleft bank continues most rich in cultivation; wood abounds. Nextdistricts in order: Abu Kleiwat, Jura (with ruins of Coptic church,road makes short cut to east), Artimoga, Fakrin Koti, MansurKoti | River channel now curves, and runssouth-west and north-east. Easy navigation to foot of 4thCataract. | East bank becomes more cultivated.Districts of Affat, Abseit, Nizezi, Neriko and Difar. Rest house atAffat. |
| Hetani or Tani | 16 | 403 | Rocky Hill Jebel Taraka 1 mile to south;outlying spurs from J. El Nob 5 miles to south. Old castle (GalatHatani) 1 mile on, in ruins, with rock well. Narrow road, camelssingle file, was held by Emir Heddai against Mudir of Dongola, in1884 | ||
| — | 6 | 409 | Camp of General Dormer’s Brigade, 1885.Bush gets thinner, road descends to— | Kori and Takar districts. Bank fairlycultivated. Districts El Bar, El Barsa, Karafab (420). | |
| Ambugol | 4 | 413 665 | Large village, standing ½ mile back. Opencountry around. Branch road to Korti. Metemma road starts fromhere. Friday market. The river bank from here to Merowe is wellwooded throughout, and the road during the whole distance runs overa sandy plain sparsely covered with mimosa scrub | El Arag, Hajeir, Magal, Bakhit, with hilland ruins (431). Low rocky hills in distance. | |
| Gowari | 2 | 415 | A compact village of many houses. Theroad from Ambugol runs over an alluvial plain sparsely covered withmimosa scrub. No cultivation along the river banks, and the groundis everywhere favourable for camping. A few palms to the south ofthe village. | ||
| Korti[24] (Rest house) | 1 | 416 670 | Two villages: one on the river, and one 1mile inland. Palms, mimosa, and cultivation along the river. A lowsand ridge runs parallel to the river, at a distance of 1 mile fromit. Sunday market. Steep banks, 15 feet high. Advanced base of NileExpedition, 1884-5. River banks now mostly cultivated, includingthick mimosa scrub in parts. Road to Jakdul and Metemma starts fromhere. The W. Mogaddam joins the Nile here. Headquarters ofMamuria. | ||
| Ghoreiba | 3 | 419 | Fifty well-built houses. No cultivationbetween here and El Basa, 3 miles on. Passing Usli (426) arriveat— | ||
| Gureir | 12 | 431 | Scattered village, extending for nearly 8miles. River banks deeply cultivated almost its entire length. Goodcamping grounds are to be found on the water’s edge just before thevillage is entered from the south, and at its northern extremity,and at a point 6 miles from its southern end. The cultivation lieson the low ground formed by mud deposits at the salient angles ofthe river, the village being situated on the original bank; thewater is consequently only accessible at the re-entrant angles.Saturday market. | ||
| Hannek or Korti district | 1 | 432 | Districts of Korei, Arak, andTangassi | Abu Rannat Island (436) 3 miles long | Large village of mud huts. Much wood ofconsiderable size. Then come Magashi, El Zoma, Tulbenab, andKajabi. |
| Tangassi | 9 | 441 710 | A large scattered village with deepcultivation in a salient angle of the river. Tuesday market, themost important in province and well known throughout the Sudan.Police post. | ||
| El Debeiba | 2 | 443 | Small village with wide stripcultivation | Desert sandstone rock comes down to theright bank, forming cliffs 40 to 60 feet high, extending for about2½ miles along the bank. | |
| Abu Dom Sanam (site of ancient town ofNapata) | 3 | 446 | A scattered village at the confluence ofthe Khor Abu Dom with the Nile. The cultivation runs a considerabledistance inland along the Khor, which delivers a considerablestream during the rainy season. Surrounded by dense vegetation andtrees. A road from here joins the Dugiyet-Berber road. Supplies ofall kinds plentiful. | ||
| Merowe (capital) | 1 | 447 719 | Merowe. Headquarters ofprovince and residence of the Governor. It is practically on thesite of the 1896 camp of Abu Dom Sanam. The town has yet to bebuilt. At present it only consists of about 30 houses, includingoffices, telegraph, etc. | Old village of Merowe. Advanced postduring summer of 1885, under Commander Julian Baker, R.N. | |
| Will be terminus ofthe branch line from Abu Hamed. From Affat to Merowe boats willhave to be towed by tugs, as they are unable to navigate this bitof river against wind and stream. | |||||
| Desert road to S.E. to Jakdul | |||||
RECAPITULATORY TABLE OF DISTANCES.
| Intermediate. | From Halfa. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles. | Kilometres. | Miles. | Kilometres. | |
| Faras Island | — | — | 20 | 32 |
| Halfa Camp | 20 | 32 | — | — |
| Foot of 2nd Cataract | 6½ | 10½ | 6½ | 10½ |
| Head of „ „ | 6½ | 10½ | 13 | 21 |
| Akasha | 72 | 116 | 85 | 137 |
| Kosha | 28 | 45 | 113 | 182 |
| Dalgo | 78 | 125 | 191 | 307 |
| Kaibar Cataract | 12 | 19 | 203 | 325 |
| Third (Hannek) Cataract | 26 | 42 | 229 | 368 |
| Dongola | 51 | 82 | 280 | 450 |
| Debba | 91 | 146 | 371 | 596 |
| Korti | 45 | 72 | 416 | 668 |
| Merowe | 31 | 50 | 447 | 719 |