- 164
YEMEN--DUCAT. ADEN WATER SUPPLY, MANUSCRIPT ON PAPER, C.1872
Estimate
1,000 - 1,500 GBP
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Description
- Official report on the water supply to Aden, 22 May 1872. [1872]
MANUSCRIPT ink on paper (330 x 210mm.), 57pp. (including 11 page appendix), old brass paper fasteners to corners, pages rather creased (from being rolled), damp-staining, wear to edges with some loss of text
Condition
Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
A contemporary copy of Captain Ducat's report (No. 832) and recommendations regarding the water supply to Aden, addressed to 'The Superintending Engineer, Presidency Division, Bombay'. Ducat, an engineer in the British army, was the Executive Engineer at Aden. The dry climate and geography of Aden has always made its water supply a complex problem. Ducat writes in this report "To supply the garrison, town and harbour of Aden with a really abundant supply of good water has been a desideratum with the governments of India and Bombay ever since the taking of the promontory in 1839 and has been the ambition and aim of every Engineer officer who has had charge of this port."
'Ducat proposed using the water of the Missana spring, but the project did not meet with the approval of Government probably owing to the necessity for 43 miles of piping, and the difficulty of establishing posts along the line, and of preventing mischief. Moreover, it was first resolved to try the Khussafbund scheme, as being with the Settlement itself. It is possible that the financial results of so vast a project would have to be satisfactorily shown before Government would consent to sanction it' (Hunter, F.M. An Account of the British Settlement in Aden in Arabia, London, 1877, p.21).
'Ducat proposed using the water of the Missana spring, but the project did not meet with the approval of Government probably owing to the necessity for 43 miles of piping, and the difficulty of establishing posts along the line, and of preventing mischief. Moreover, it was first resolved to try the Khussafbund scheme, as being with the Settlement itself. It is possible that the financial results of so vast a project would have to be satisfactorily shown before Government would consent to sanction it' (Hunter, F.M. An Account of the British Settlement in Aden in Arabia, London, 1877, p.21).