The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-09-06 00:00:00

THE NILE EXPEDITION_

A correspondent telegraphed from Cairo on Tues-
day as folldvrs:
The explosives laid by the sailors of the Carysfort
at Souakim on Monday night had an effect which was
little expected, either by them or by the rebels. The
firing of the mechanical mine resulted in considerable
havoc among the rebels nine distinguishable bodies
being found on the ground, in addition to which many
human fragments were lying scattered about. It is
also certain that a good many of the wounded were
removed. Another mine which was exploded later
had the effect of killing two people. The remarkable
circumstance I have alluded to was that the rebels
finding some explosives outside Souakim carried them
off to their camp at Handouk, where by some means
or other they exploded killing many of the rebels.
The following Reuter's telegrams have been re-
ceived:
CAIRO, Sept. 2.
A telegram from Major Kitchener states that the
route from Dongola to Berber is perfectly open as
far as the wells of Huescui, the hostile tribes having
dispersed. Major Kitchener adds that a flying column
of 4000 or 5000 British troops could easily march
across. The Khedive has placed the Kasr-en-Noussah
Palace in Cairo at the disposal of Lord Wolseley, who
has accepted his highness's offer.
LIMASSOL, Sept. 2.
The King's Royal Rifle Corps landed here yester-
day evening from ELM. troopship Orontes.
The Orontes embarked the Royal West Kent
Regiment this morning, and left for Alexandria at
9 a.m. _

The Mediterranean Squadron sailed hence to-day
for Alexandria. _

.0170 WA Sept. 2.

The agent who has been commissioned to engage
boatmen for service on the Nile is meeting with great
success, and has already secured a large number. It
is expected that there will be no difficulty in obtain-
ing the required number of men.
CAPETOWN, Sept. 1.
The Government of Cape Colony, replying to an
inquiry from the Cape Agent-General in London, has
intimated its willingness to place at the disposal of
the Home Government the available surplus of
narrow gauge rolling stock in this colony, should it
be required for the projected railway in Egpyt in con-
nection with the British military operations. The
Cape Government has also offered to render any other
assistance in its power.

OFFICIAL DETAILS OF TIIE PREPARATIONS.
A force will be dispatched to the frontier of Egypt
(Wady Haifa), with a view to being sent on to Don-
gola should the course of events render it necessary.
Although the movement of mounted infantry and of
some battalions of infantry up the Nile has already
commenced, the strength and composition of the force
will not be settled till Lord \lroiseley has arrived
in Egypt and consulted with Sir F. Stephenson.
For the transport of the force 400 boats,
30ft. and 32ft. in length, and Gft, to if t.
beam, weighing from 0501 b. to 10001 b. each, will
arrive in Alexandria between the 21st and 30th of
September. A further supply of 400 similar boats
will follow at an early date. Five hundred Canadian
" voyageurs " will arrive at Alexandria at the begin-
ning of October, and 300 Kroomen from the West
Coast of Africa will arrive there about the 10th of
the same month to assist in navigating the fleet of
boats. Each of the boats will contain two boatmen
and 10 soldiers, and will be fitted with cases, specially
designed, containing 100 days' supplies. They will
draw only 20 inches of water when loaded, so that a
low Nile would be an advantage rather than otherwise.
The first consignment of 400 boats will on arrival at
Alexandria be at once forwarded to Wady Haifa.
The ration for the boat service is a special one, more
resembling a ship ration than a field ration. It is
based on the assumption that for a considerable
period the troops will be entirely dependent on the
supplies contained in the boats. The difficulty of
providing variety in diet is very great, as the space
for stowage is necessarily limited. Each boat will
carry 75 packages of food supplies, weighing roughly
about 48 cwt., including weight of packing cases.
This provides 100 days' supplies for 12 men.
The ration consists of preserved meats of all sorts,
including specially prepared bacon, biscuit, cheese,
pickles, preserves, flour, tea, sugar, salt,
pepper, preserved vegetables, lime juice, erbswurst,
rice, tobacco, &c. Each boat carries a box of medical
comforts for the sick, and is fitted to exist as a
separate unit during the period for which it is sup-
plied. The force now in Egypt will shortly be
strengthened by the Ist Battalion Berkshire Regi-
ment from the Mediterranean, and by two seasoned
battalions which are first for relief from India, viz.,
Ist Battalion Royal Irish and 2nd Battalion East
Surrey. The Ist Battalion Royal Scots is also under
orders to proceed thither from the West Indies.
Special head-dresses and clothing have been provided
for the whole force. It is believed that the force will
be in a condition to advance from Wady Haifa,

render it necessary, by Ist of
Ihe employment of Canadian engineers to cut a
channel through the Nile cataracts is at present
engaging the serious attention of the authorities.
These engineers and workmen have for years been
engaged in blowing up rocks and thus opening the
rapids of the St. Lawrence for traffic, under the
direction of the Minister of Public Works, Ottawa.
Navigation is thus made easy with the aid of
"chaining."

tshould circumstances
November.