Page 189 - Records of Bahrain (1) (i)_Neat

The second Gulf Survey, 1857-1860 179

CIUP. VIII.] BAHREIN ISLAND. 113

landing and to unload goods, &e. The following supplies are procurable :
JVolcr, in plenty, and of good quality ; if you have no water casks, sec
that the large wooden tank it is brought off in, is clean ; bullocks, sheep,
and poultry, vegetables and fruit, Arab bread, flour, rice, &c., aud other
articles for use on board ship, except biscuit, spirits, and salt meat; fire­
wood, but not for steam purposes ; teak timber for repairs, but very dear ;
no ironwork. A baghalah’s mast might be got, as a substitute for a broken
spar, of heavy wood (peon).
The chief is very friendly to the English government, who support him
against the aggressions of the Wahcbbi Amtr. There is a British agent,
who is an Arab ; and many Banyans are settled here. The inhabitants of
this town, of Maharag and al Hed, are chiefly employed in the pearl
fishery, to which altogether 400 boats are sent from these islnuds ; but
there is a large agricultural population. Owing to the numerous springs
of water on the north part of the island, which are carefully employed in
irrigation, it is very fertile ; and the verdure, so unusual in this country,
has a very pleasing effect. There are great numbers of fruit trees, as
citrons, limes, &c. ; and very fine date plantations ; much lucerne is
grown for forage. The island produces quantities of dates, which are
exported to other parts of Arabia, and India. The other exports are:
pearls, a few of the finest horses in the world, and some remarkably fine
asses, to India and Maskat. Cotton sail cloth for baghalahs is made here
of very good quality, and exported to Kowelt, Basrah, and to India. The
only other manufactures are : coarse cloth for turbans, &c., and mats
made of the date leaf, of fine texture.
Some trade is carried on with India, many fine baghalahs belonging to
the port. They have 200 vessels from 20 to 300 tons, besides the smaller
ones. The Sheikh has some fine war vessels, chiefly Batlls, which
are very fast sailers ; his large baghalah, the Duniyah, which is now
employed in trade, mounted 10 guns. The imports are : Rice, timber, and
other materials for ship-building, and piece goods, &c. from India ; and
coffee from the Red Sea. Near the ruined mosque, with the two minarets,
are the ruins of a considerable town, much better built than the present
one, called Beled al Jedim (the old town) ; there are also some well built
baths over some of the springs. It, therefore, appears to have fallen off
in prosperity since earlier times. There are still many villages on the
island in different parts ; but, according to all accounts, few compared
with the number formerly existing. The largest spring on the island
issues from a reservoir about 30 feet deep, and 30 yards across, in a
stream 6 or 8 feet wide, and 2 feet deep, which will give an idea of the
supply of water on the island : it is about one mile S.W, of the minarets.
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