Page 595 - Arabian Gulf Intellegence

551
GULF OF PERSIA.

Kiiorf; el Bezzim.
Kbore el Bezzim is formed on the northern side by East India Com­
pany’s Islands, and on the south by the mainland of Arabia, and is forty
miles deep from its entrance at Bezzim el Gurabee, and from five
miles at the entrance to one at the upper part wide, having soundings
from nine to two fathons at the upper part. The deepest water and
best channel is about one-third over from the islands, near the main.
Several small patches, with one and a half and two fathoms, lay scattered
about. This place is said to have been one of the resorts of the pirates,
and many of their boats were said to have been here at the time of the
expedition.
Ras Hadwarkaii.
From Cape Meriton to Ras Hadwarkah, in lat. 24° 11' 40" N., long.
52° 47' 10" E., the coast is fronted, after quitting Khore el Bezzim, to a
distance of fourteen miles, by a reef, and numerous small patches.
Although there are channels between them, still, it being impossible to
give a guide for avoiding the dangers, it cannot be considered safe to
navigate.
Unless in case of necessity, or being in chase, no vessel should come
here, in which case I can only recommend great attention to the lead
and look-out, as the only guides they can have. After passing the sandy
island of Aiche, in lat. 24° 17' 30" N., long. 53° V 35" E., when, if
running for Khore el Bezzim, run in as near mid-channel, between the
island of Bezzim el Gurabee and the main, as possible, keeping a sharp
look-out for a small shoal patch bearing true W. five and a half miles
from the body of the island. After passing it, steer boldly up the Khore,
keeping near mid-channel until you near the fourth island, when haul in
for it, and keep about one-fifth over from it towards the main, to clear a
shoal patch on that side. After this, keep over on the island side,
along the edge of the reef.
After passing this island, your soundings will be from four and a half
to three fathoms, until you come to Jazeerat Billyaird, when it will not
be prudent to go further, although you will carry three fathoms and
two and a half near the island much further. If it is near low-water, a
boat of moderate size cannot go through, but if high-water she will have
six or seven feet water, and most probably get into the deep water
between Bellyaird and Salaly. Supposing you to be in chase, and the
chase steered through Aiche, steer well up to the north, giving Bezzim
el Gurabee a berth of six miles, to avoid the patch before mentioned,
looking sharp out for a bank near the centre of the channel, whose west
end is in lat. 24° 22' N., long. 53° 9' 5,! E., and east end in lat. 24°
27' 20" N., long. 53° 20' 5" E. Between this and the bank off the island

m < rfmiiii