Page 573 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

FOR TIIE YEAR 1017. 55

APPENDIX.
PROCEEDINGS OF IIIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS IN THE PERSIAN GULF 1ST
JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 1917.
On January 1st, 1917, the Persian Gulf Squadron, under Commodore D. St. A. Wake,
C.H., consisted of II. M. S. “Juno," “ Philomel,” " Lawrence, ” u Bramble,”
“ Fyrnmue,” “ Britomart, ” “ Mozaffir” and the armed launch “ Azerbaijan,” the Squadron
being divided equally between North aud South as in 191G.
All along the coasts the situation remained peaceful, and in January “ Juno” came South
owing to the possibility of raiders approaching the Gulf.
At tho end of January H. M. S. “ Philomel ” was detached from the Squadron, and went
home to pay-off.
Oh 22nd February it was found necessary to move all ships except “Mozaffir ” South
for escort and patrol duties, and this disposition continued until the commencement of June,
when patrol and escort was abandoned.
*On 2Uth April the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia were combined as one command under
Rear-Admiral Drury St. A. Wake, C.B., C.I.E. Tho Persian Gulf Division was orga­
nized on similar lines as before, i.e., with a senior officer iu the Northern and Southern
parts, and Mesopotamia under a senior officer,
In August H. M. S. “Pjnwnus" left tho
station. the Rear-Admiral making Easrali his head­
quarters.
The Mesopotamian Division consisted of II. M. S. “Dalhousie” (with Rear-Admiral's
flag), , “Proserpine,” “Alert,” and twenty-two gunboats with H. M. S. “ Scotstoun ”
as Repair-ship.
' J On 24th June Rear-Admiral Ernest F. A. Gaunt, C.B., C M.G., relieved Vice-Admiral
Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O., iu command of the East Indies Squadron.
A slight disturbance occurred at Lingah due to the arbitrary conduct of a Mullah,
but a visit by the ltear-Admiral in H. M. S. “Lawrence” and subsequent, visits
from one or two vessels stopped all farther trouble and later on the Mullah was removed by
His Excellency Darya Begi, and deported.
A wireless telegraph station has now been erected at Lingah.
With the abovo exception the inhabitants of the Coast Ports have been quite peace-
able.
The utility of visits of men-of-war to these ports was emphasized by the rumours that
spread in consequence of the absence of the squadron on patrol and escort work—e.g., a
report from Lingah stated that H. M, S. “Juno” had been sunk by the Germans in
consequence of the measures taken by her on the Shibkuh coast in the previous year 1
Tbe French Government godown has been lent temporarily to tho British, aud is now
used for the storage of oil in tins for the Inland Water Transport vessels proceeding to Basrah.
This is a great convenience.
Hen jam is being largely used for bunkering transports from and to Basrah, and when the
pier is completed its utility as a coal depot will be greatly increased. Two new tanks have
been constructed, and these should solve the difficulty of the water supply.
The Island of .Kharag, to the northward of Bushire, has become of muoh importance in
providing large quantities of very good stone to Basrah. Excellent relations exist between
the inhabitants and the British.
A temporary wireless telegraph station has been erected on the Island.
His Excellency Rear-Admiral E. F. A. Gauut, C.B., C.M.G., visited the Persian Gulf
and Mesopotamia between 6th September and 28th September 1917, and called at Muscat
Henjam, Bushin*, Basrah, Bandar Abbas, Jusk aud Kishm in H.M.S. “Northbrook”!
He also visited various places on the Tigris up to Baghdad.
II.M.S. “Dufferin” replaced H.M.S. “Juno” in the Persian Gulf on 3rd Kovember
1917.
Tbe composition of tbe Squadron on 30th December was H. M. S. “ Dufferin ”
“ Lawrence,” “ Bramble,” “ Britomart,” “ Mozaffir ” and “ Azerbaijan ” in the Persian Gulf
and “ Dulhousie ” (flying flag of Rear-Admiral), “Proserpine,” “Alert,” and river gunboats
in Mesopotamia. b
I append a list of the visits made by His Majesty’s ships at the various ports in the
Persian Gulf.
It will be of interest to note that Ojar is among the names. An excellent ohart of the
. passage from Bahrain to 0jar is now supplied to His Majesty’s ships and navigation is com-
paratively ea9y for ships of 12 feet draft.

Baskau ; .P. ST. A. WAKE,
}
The 8th January 1918, Hear* Admiral,