Page 193 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

HESIDKNCT AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB 1881-85. 25

at the achievements and proceedings of tho first European nation to open up the East, it is
interesting lo bear in mind the extent of tho influence which Uic action and behaviour of the
Portuguese have had in forming tho impressious of the character of Europeans in general
among tho natives of India, as there is no doubt that these fret impressions took root and
have constituted a by no means inappreciable factor in shaping the course of events during the
last three centuries. By rrasou of their isolated and remote position, tho ideas of the Arabs
about foreigners are extremely vague and erroneous, and owing partly to their habit of
confounding all Kuropeaus under the appellation of Nason or Christians, and partly to their
being best acquainted of late years with the English, it has happened that the doings of the
Portuguese iu the lGth and 17th centuries are by the vulgar often ascribed to us.
The dread inspired by the wars of Albuquerque and his successor was preserved by oral
tradition, and we may he sure that these traditions lost nothing by the additions and em­
bellishments which time provides, and which hate and fear never fail lo suggest.
The undisputed supremacy of the Arabs at sea in the Indian Ocean which existed at the
commencement of the sixteenth century fell at once from their grasp on the appearanco of the
Portuguese, and was never subsequently regained by them. Let us hope it has passed away
for ever, for the revival of Arab power would be merely another name for piracy, pillage, and
the slave trade.
Tristan da Cunba sailed from Lisbon on the Cth of March 150G, and after mauy adven­
tures and some losses anchored safely at Soko, the port of Socotra, in the middle of the year
following, having on the way been joined by the Flor de la Mar, commanded by Captain
Joao da Nova, who had proceeded to India with a former fleet, and who afterwards proved such
a thorn in the side of Albuquerque at Iiormuz.
At Solo da Cunha found a different reception awaiting him from what he had expected.
The island was in possession of Sultan Ibrahim, son of the Sultan of Kishec-n, who resolutely
rejected the Admiral’s demand for surrender. The fort was accordingly besieged by tbe Portu­
guese, and in spite of a valiant resistance, assaulted aad carried, the Mabra garrison being put.
to tbe sword. The fort was then rebuilt and named St. Thomas, and Alfonso deNoronha was
appointed to the command. It was the end of July 1307 before affairs were finally arranged
at Socotra, and tbe time then arrived for da Cunha and Albuquerque to part company and to
pursue the course of aetiou prescribed for each respectively by the Kiog.
The squadron allotted to Albuquerque by the chief captain consisted of—
(1) Tho Grnet the flagship of Albuquerque.
(•2) Tbe i?*jr Grande: Captain Francisco de Tavora.
(3) The Flor de la Mar: Captain Joao da Nova.
(4) The Rey Pegneno : Captain Manccl Telles Barretto.
(5) The Sam Jorge Transport: Captain A. Lopes da Costa.
(6) The Ktpirilo Santo: Captain A. do Campo.
Having completed his arrangements, Tristan da Cunha sailed away for India on the 1st August,
leaving Albuquerque free to decide on and carry out his plan of operations against Moorish
commerce. Albuquerque had doubtless already fully determined on his course of action with
regard to Hormuz; bub he seems to have thoaght it prudent to call a council of war and to
discuss the matter with hia captains. At this council it was resolved that as provisions were
running short and the south-west monsoon 6till prevailed, the expedition against Jeddah
should be abandoned in favour of a short cruise to pick up Moorish vessels coming from the
Bed Sea, after which the fleet should proceed to Muscat, where they could decide what to do
next.
On the 10th August, accordingly the little fleet set sail from Soko for the Arabian coast,
intending to commence the cruise at the Kooria-Mooria islands. These islands, however, were
passed without being sighted by nny of tbe ships, and Albuquerque then determined to give up
the cruise altogether, as he feared to run out of supplies, and ho had only agreed to the plan in
deference to the opinion of his captains.
Bailing on to the north-east, the fleet appears to have anchored for the first time in
Omrfn waters near tbe island of Maseera, from whence,on the following day, they proceeded on
until they hod weathered Ras-el-Uod, inside of which Albuquorqne anchored in smooth water
and commencod hostilities by firing all the Arab vessels he found lying in Khor Hejareh, some
30 or 40 in number. Tho next place, Khor Jeramch, was cxplorod in the boats by the master of
the transport, who sounded seven fathoms ia the lagoon. Hero four more vessels were
?ivcn to the flames.