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from Vol. I of the Lost Egypt portfolios |
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 Dahabiyeh
at Luxor.
This unsigned plate is attributed to Antonio Beato. The dahabiyeh, a house
barge, was recommended by Baedeker's Egypt guide as late as 1929
as the perfect accommodation for "travellers to whom independence
of action and economy of time are more important than economy of money."
The vessels rode low in the water, with passenger rooms, a dining salon,
a library, and even a piano, located aft. The raised deck was reserved
for the use of the passengers, and the lower deck was frequented by the
crew of the craft. Dahabiyehs were slow-traveling vessels, and men and
animals had often to tow them against the current of the Nile. As temperatures
rose in the spring, the demand for the boats decreased, and most of the
crews returned to summer farming until autumn again brought the return
of tourists.
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