Page 315 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER V.
INTER-TRIBAL WARS, 1854-73.

(i)-WAR BETWEEN MASK AT AND PERSIA ABOUT BUNDER ABBAS.

Prohibition of Transport of troops by sea by the Chief of Abu Thabi to the aid of Imam
of Jluskat ami Persia, 1S.H.
36. During between Maskat and Persia in regard to Bunder Abbas, Sheikh
Said-bin-Tahnun having put to sea in Ilia
Comalt&tioQ, 5th .May, No. 22 of 1851.
vessels for conveying troops to Bunder
Abbas. Commodore Robinson in pursuance of Caplain Kemball’s general
instructions intimated to the Chief his disapproval of such a course and
required his immediate return to his own port. The grounds on which this
measure was based were explained to the Imam of Maskat in Captain
Kemball’s letter dated 21st M arch 1854. viz.:—
" Your Highness is aware that the tribes of Oman have long been bound by an engagement
contracted with each other under the guarantee of the British Government, to ab-taiu in toto
from hostilities at sea, and that prior to such engagement they had severally acknowledged the
provisions of a restrictive line, beyond which their armed vea.-ela should be interdicted from
cruizing. Now Your Highness will readily understand that if one of these parties were at
liberty to disregard the above obligations, those entertaiuing contrary views would now, or on
some other occasion, claim a like privilege, aud, becoming thus enlisted on opposite sides, they
would at once lose the character of auxiliaries to assume that of Principals. Moreover, the
tnbes on the Persian Coast, who are subjects of the >hah, could no longer be restrained from
engaging in the quarrel. The partizan6 ou cither >ide would soon cease to discriminate between
friends and foes. Piracy would ensue. Security for trade would be at an end, and *in short
that state of maritime disorder would speedily recur whicli it has cost the British Government
so much trouble and anxiety to suppress.
But while I thus advert to the reasons which necessarily preclude the employment by sea
of the tribes of Oman in a quarrel in which they have no concern, I beg Your Highness to believe
that, beyond friendly mediation for the promotion of peace, the British Government have no
desire to oppose Your Ilighucss' views, or to interfere with any measures that you may think it
necessary to adopt for the defence of your rights or the maintenance of your interests.”
37. The Bombay Government entirely approved of the action taken by
Commodore Robinson and the Resident (lettor to the Government of India,
No. 49, dated 18th April 1854).

(ii)—PIRATICAL DESCENT OF SAID-BIN-TAHNUN, EX-RULER OF THE BENIYAS
TRIBE, UJPON ABU THABI, 1850.
38. While everything in the Persian Gulf appeared tranquil owing to the
adjustment of local disputes and. party
Volume 1—100 of 1850, p.3.
feuds, the Resident was, in July 1856,
surprised with the news that a descent had been made by sea upon Abu Thabi
by its ex-Ruler Said-bin-Tahnun aided by the boats and subjects of the Joasmi
Chief Sultan-bin-Saggar. In July 1856 Sheikh Said-bin-Tahnun proceeded
from Shargah to Abu Thabi taking with him his own vessel with 25 men on
board, one that of Seif-bin-Mahomed-ul-Qurrumi, an inhabitant of Geis, with
12 men and a third vessel of Mahomed-bin-Ali-biu 8oheil Al Muhiri, an
inhabitant of Abu Heil with 15 men.
39. On 19th July Sheikh Said landed at Abu Ihabi. The Chief Zaid-bin-
Khaiifa was not there, having gone to a place called Zufrah aud knew nothing
of the arrival of his uncle. The fort of Abu Thabi was held by the Chief's
brother, Ziab-bin-Khalifa. Whon tho people of the town became aware of
8heikh Said’s arrival, they took refuge in the fort and presently tho fight com­
menced. Sheikh Said-bin-Tahnun captured the houses on tho soa-shoro as well
as the houses adjoining in the bazaar of the Banias, which his men completely
plundered.