Page 55 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PART II—CHAPTER XII.
37
13. Of course, the trade referred to in Mr. McKenzie’s letter is only
steam-borne, and, as evidencing the development of this particular trade, I
would recall that eight years ago no mercantile steamer ran in the Gulf; that
since that period trading steamers have continued to increase both in number
and in tonnage; that during last year the B. I. S. N. Company’s steamer of
large tonnage ran fortnightly, while other steamers visited the Gulf during the
summer and autumn so frequently as to give an average of a steamer per
week.
14. I understand it to be in contemplation to run a line of steamers
between England and the head of the Persian Gulf, via the Gulf of Suez, and
that a similar line is to be opened by the Turkish authorities between Con­
stantinople and Busreh, while for the passage of goods up river I understand there
are already some eight river steamers.
15. Referring to the opium trade, I beg to append an abstract (G) com­
paring that for the year 1869 with 1868.
16. I append also a statement (H) showing in detail the manner in
which the opium has been exported last year. It is probable that some chests
have been exported, of which I have not cognizance; and I understand from
good authority that the export for the coming year is estimated at least 3,500
chests of about 136 lbs per chest. This total is, of course, small as compared
with the trade in India; but when we recollect that some fifteen years ago the
export of opium from Persia was limited to some dozen chests or so, sent via.
Constantinople, it must be admitted that the trade has rapidly developed, and
that if the quality of the opium be improved, the direct export of opium from
the Persian Gulf littoral to the eastward of Singapore may, at some future
dates, in some degree affect our Indian opium revenue.
17. As regards the statistical statements obtained from the Custom
Houses in India, it has not been found practicable to obtain them all for the
same years and in uniform details; but I deem it, nevertheless, advisable to
submit them in appendices, together with the remarks with which the several
Commissioners have favoured me since they form as complete a basis as is
obtainable for estimating the past trade with the Gulf. '
18. The statistics of trade shown in this report do not (as before men­
tioned) include the miscellaneous trade carried by the small coasting craft.
But the trade so carried on is very considerable, although the means of even
roughly estimating it are wanting.
b 19. There seems to be a tendency in the trade of the world to resume its
ancient channels under improved means of communication, and it is possible
that what is commonly known as the Euphrates or Persian Gulf route may here­
after resume its position as a main line of commerce between the East and the
West.”
This was followed by a supplementary re­
Political A., September 1870, Nos. 53-55.
port (No. 265-81, dated 10th July 1870):—
" In supplement of my recent Report on the trade of the Persian Gulf, I
have now the honour to submit a few facts
Dated 83id April 1870.
indicative of the development of the steam-
borne portion of that trade :—
/st.—A few weeks ago the first steamer arrived direct from England via
the Suez Canal'.
andly.—The first of an intended line of steamers between Constantinople
and the Gulf arrived. On this subject the Political Agent, Muscat, writes as
follows:—“ The Turkish merchant steamer Babylon arrived here from Aden
on the evening of the 27th (May) ultimo, and left for the Persian Gulf the next
morning. This vessel is, I understand, the first of a line of steamers to run
regularly between Constantinople and Bussorah, and call at the intermediate
ports of Jeddah, Aden, Muscat, Bunder Abbas, and Bushire.”
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