Page 222 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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369. Colonel Pelly’s observations are
Letter No. tat, dated 14th October 1863.
interesting and quoted cxtniso below:__
It seems to me there arc under present circumstances but two poinis in the Gulf
where you could conveniently stow your coal :—
1st, Bushirc,
2nd, Bassidore.
As far as the requirements of the Residency steamer arc concerned it would in many
respects be preferable to have a depdt at Bushirc, Because the steamer’s headquarters
would be here. And, secondly, because both coal and establishment would then be more
compact and immediately under the Resident's eye.
But, on the other hand, Bushirc roads present serious difficulties for the shipment of
coal. 2ndly, the steamers would have to be four miles from the shore, hence boat-hire
and homallagc would be expensive. 3rdly, communication by boats is sometimes absolutely
cut off, and is often hindered by bad weather. 4thly, Bushirc being apart directly under
the Persian Government, more or less vexation or at least jealousy might always be
expected. It is probable little objection might be made to an unarmed Residency steamer
coaling here. But I am by no means so sure that coaling by His Majesty’s steam frigates
would be entirely approved of. Again, suppose you have another expedition to the Gulf,
it would be inconvenient to have your coal depot established in the enemy's port.
As regads Bassidore the pros and cons seem to me briefly as follows
Firstly,'—Bassidore has the disadvantage of being a detached point; hence supervision is
imperfect; and this objection may apply with increased force now that there will be only
one steamer in the Gulf.
Secondly,—but, on the other hand, you must have a coal depdt somewhere, and Bassi­
dore is ready to hand; much money has been laid out on it, and it has shedscover for your
establishment arrangements, for recovered slaves, and also a Bundorc. Vessels, again, can
be within $ of a mile of the shore I believe; and coal can be warped off; thus the coaling
should be (though it seems not to have been) comparatively cheap.
Thirdly,—Bassidore is perhaps conveniently situated for any of Mis Majesty's or other
steamers that may chance to run short of coal.
Fourthly,—Government are about to introduce telegraph communication in the Gulf.
Their entrance station will be at Cassab and it may be well to have at a point so near as
Bassidore the means of protecting any material held in store for that department.
Fifthly.—and on general considerations, a station at Bassidore is a point of obser­
vation and influence in that quater of the Gulf.
Sixthly,—though it is easy to abandon a station in the Perisan Gulf, it may not be
80 easy to obtain one. If you abandon Bassidore, the treaty of 1856 between His
Highness the Imam of Maskat and the Persian Government would come into force in regard
to that point; and you might then find it difficult to re-establish yourself there, if future
occasion should require.
On the whole,—and though I do not altogether approve of Bassidore as a station,—I am
not prepared to recommend its abandonment; at all events until 1 can see my way clearly
to meet our immediate, and possible future requirements, by arrangements which may on
economical and other considerations, appear preferable. Neither am I prepared to recom­
mend that a coal depdt with the debris of our old establishment should be left at
Bassidore without any protection.
270. The following resolution (No. 3773, dated 24th November 1863) was
recorded by the Bombay Government:—
Resolution.—Lieutenant-Colonel Felly adduces strong grounds for the maintenance
of Bassidore for the Government stores deposited as a coal depdt ; while so maintained it is
very necessary that some protection should exist on the island. It is also desirable on account
of Bassidore probably becoming a depdt for telegraph stores, and under the circumstances
the detachment of marines should be retained pending further orders.
271. In 1865 we find the Assistant Resident in writing to the Secretary
to the Government of Bombay, expressing the opinion that the detachment for
Bassidore consisting of i naik and 6 privates should continue to be sent to that
station for the protection of the Government coal. The last detachment had
arrived at Bassidore on May 1864.

• A detachment wa* placed at Basiidorc in 1857 during (he war, but aa to whether there wae ono before that
year, record* do not fhow.