Page 18 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

10 REPORT ON TIIE ADMINISTRATION OF THE
3rd.—That of the Persian Coast.
With the first class this report is not concerned, and will have only
to deal with the Persian and independent Arab Coasts.
It may however he requisite to make a few observations on the trade
•with the interior of Persia in so far as that is connected with the ports of
the southern coast.
Class of vessels.—The vessels conducting the Arabian trade of the
Gulf may be divided into three classes (I) steamer; (2) square rigged
vessels; (3) native craft.
Steam communication.'—Steam communication with the Persian Gulf
once started has rapidly increased-. Its progress has been frequently
made the subject of report by the late Resident. The mail steamers are
fortnightly. In the year 1873 monthly communication was established
with London through the Suez Canal. The occasional steamers uncon­
nected with the British India Steam Navigation Company which visit
the Gulf are few in number. Turkish steamers traverse the Persian Gulf,
but in connection almost exclusively with Turkish territory.
European Ships.—The visits of square rigged vessels to the upper
part of the Gulf are not frequent. Yearly cargoes are run from Batavia.
The native vessels run everywhere and distribute goods to all parts of
the Gulf.
Chief Ports.—The chief ports and centres of trade in the Gulf
are Bushire, Lingah, Blinder Abbass, and Bahrein. Bushire and Lingah
chiefly supply the province of Pars and are the great ports of exit for its
surplus produce. The trade of these parts is however connected with
that of a large portion of Persia, at least as far ar Teheran and Yezd and
indirectly as far as Khorasan. Bunder Abbass is the natural port of the
Province of Kerman, and the. ramifications of its business extend up­
wards to Yezd and Khorasan.

Bahrein is conveniently situated to be an entrepot for the Arabian
trade, and is much used as such. The commercial importance of these
islands is not inconsiderable. All the ports which have been mentioned
are ports of call for the mail steamers.
It would be tedious and perhaps of little use to endeavour to estimate
the resources of all the smaller ports of the Persian side. Their trade is
active enough, and the exports as from the ports of the Beni Kaab in
wool, ghee, and grain are considerable.

A portion of these, however, and the chief articles of import,
piece goods for example, are included in the Returns of the chief
ports. Moharamerah has doubtless a large and important trade, but
it is not intended at present to attempt to estimate it.

The other ports of the Pcrso-Arab district are Bunder Mashoor,
Hindujan, and Dorakce, &c.
Commercial Classes.—On the Persian side commerco is conducted
by Europeans, Persians, Armenians, Arabs, Jews, Khojahs, Hindoos.

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