Page 282 - Records of Bahrain (2) (i)_Neat

Attack on Bahrain, 1869 273

( 2 )
G. In conformity with Ilia Excollonoy’s instruct ions, wo loft tho Angnum
station with Her Majoaty’e Ship Daphne and Gunboat Clyde on tho morning
of tho 15th November, leaving Hor Majesty’s Ship Nymphe and Gunboat
Hugh Hose to await tho furthor instructions of Government.
7. On tho afternoon of the 17th wo arrived at Bahrein, and on the
following morning sont ashore several copies of a circular lettor addressed
to tho Cniofs and Heads of tribes.
8. Wo accorded personal interviews undor safe conduct to the head aud
somo of tho minor pirato Chiefs, and also to the heads of some of the peace­
ful Bahrein tribes. It soon appeared—
lfi^, that tho tribes and pcoplo of Bahrein in general earnestly desired
tho restoration of the Into Chief’s family in the person of his
son Esau bin Alco biu Khalifeh; and
2nd, that tho pirate Chiefs in possession wore disliked, but held
power with a firm grasp; and that the Bahrein inhabitants were
neither sufficiently organized nor warlike to expel the usurpers.
9. It appeared, indeed, at this point of the proceedings almost more
than doubtful whether we ourselves should bo able to seize or expel the pirate
Chiefs and restore the succession.
10. At tho same timo it seemed our duty to use every effort and devote
full time towards tho realization of tho above objects, and, failing their attain­
ment, to make the next best arrangement possible, in preference to injuring the
islands by bombardment or other sovorcly destructive measures.
11. Accordingly, having ascertained that Esau bin Alco was a refugee on
the Guttur Coast, we invited him ovor with an armed escort, and cautioned the
Guttur Chief to refrain from hindering him.
12. During the 19th, a native craft armed with guns and small arms,
and flying Arab colors, endeavored to break tho blockade. She was visited,
and proved to have on board an emissary from tho Persian Coast assorting
himself to bo the bearer of certain letters confirming the pirato chief,
Mahomed-ben-Abdullah, in power, and affording him armed assistance. The
emissary declared himself to bo deputed by tho chief of Daycr, who was
acting in obedience to ono Mirza Mchdcc Khan, formerly a Persian env«
han, formerly a Persian envoy to
Bahrein. But tho emissary added that ho lmd no authority from tho Shah’s
Government. The craft was of course temporarily dotained in common with
all othors attempting to run the blockade; and tho letters which tho pirato
chief subsequently made over to us bavo seemed of sufficient importance to
require a separate report.
13. As it was iu the afternoon of the 19th that wo commenced a series of
manoeuvres and operations which have resulted in tho successful fulfilment of
the Government instructions, we would beg at this point to solicit a glance on
tho part of His Excellency in Council at tho annexed sketch map, which lias
been obligingly prepared for us by Navigating Lieutenant White, Her Majesty’s
Ship Daphne.
ld». The immediate objects in view wore—
18lly, to watch the Mcnamch Port which was held by Nauser biu
Mobarok; and
2tidly, to threaten the Moharrag Port, where we supposed it possible
that Mahomed bin Khalifoh, if not already dead, was imprisoned.
15. Accordingly Daphne was left at hor anchorage, while Gunboat Clyde
in command of Mr. Elton was sent round to the head of tho creek dircctlv
opposito tho Moharrag Port. Towards suusot wo took the boats (under com-
mnnd of Lieutenant Acklom, Her Majesty’s Ship Daphne) across the reefs to
tho spit of sand which connects the Moharrag * Island with its fort. Wo. ran