Page 57 - Records of Bahrain (2)(ii)_Neat

Zubarah, 1874-1878 303

0. Captain Campbell did not consider it necessary to purauo tlio boats, as
it >vas ascertained thoy had been coerced?by tlio Beni Ilajir raiders.
7. Prom other reports it apppars' that the boats were obtained at or near
Dl Biddah, and two of them were Persian crafts, tho third belonging to'Dohat
near 151 Biddah. |;
8. BolwccnEl Biddah and IClior Sbnjcyj the Beni Ilajir met a vessel com-
iug from Bahrein with opccio and other’ property. Tins vessel they plundered.
0. Tho cnuoc of the abandonment of the boats by tho Beni Ilajir near
IClior Shajoyj is stated by somo reports to have been tho suddeu appcarauce of
tho May prere, which vessel had proceeded on 28th August from Bahrein and
was coasting along tho Arab 6horc. J
10. It was asserted that Jassim bin Mahomed bin Thaucc, son of the
Chief of El Biddah, had connived at the proceedings of tho Beni Ilajir, but this
docs not scorn to bo proved, and is denied by Jassim himself, singularly enough
tho money stolen from tho Bahrein boat belonged to this vory Jassim, and he
cites this incident as disproof of his implication in the piratical proceedings.
On the other baud it is said that the money, or most part of it, has been restored
to Jassim, and that this shows his friendly relations with the Beni Ilajir.
• 1
11. Tho Hugh Hose returned to Bahreiu on the 1st September, and the
Commander was informed that tho Beni Ilajir were about to attack the Port of
Zobarah by land. It was considered probablo that tho capturo of this place
would onablc tho Beni Ilajir to prosecute their enterprise against Bahreiu, as
thoy would theu got possession of many boats and be able to cross the channel
in a fow hours. Captain Campbell accordingly decided on showiug the Hugh
Hose ofF that port.
12. Zobarah is held by the Naccm tribe, who aro allies and in some
degreo dependents of tho Bahrein Chief. The sovereignty over all this coast
is undefined, but the Chiefs of Bahrein have always looked on Zobarah as a
feudal dependency of Bahrein. Sheikh Esau accordingly allowed the body of
tho Naccm tribe who had come to his assistance to return to tho relief of their
comrades at Zobarah. Sheikh Ahmed, the Chief’s brother, accompanied these
Nacom allies to Zobarah, but did not land.
13. On the 2nd Septembor the Hugh llosc anchored ofT Zobarah in the
evening, and hor appearance mainly contributed to save tho place from capturo.
Por tho Boni Ilajir, feeling no doubt- that their recent piratical proceedings
rendered them liablo to the punishment of any civilized power, wero discour­
aged at once. To add to’ their irresolution Captain Campbell next morning
oxcrciscd his men at gun practice, and this had the circct of inducing tho Bcui
Ilajir to rotreat further inland. By this expedient Captain Campbell without
actual interference seems virtually to havo relieved tho place, for tho temporary
iutimidation of tho Boni Ilajir gavo time for tho rest of the Nacoiu Lribo to
nrrivo to the relief of tiioir follow tribesmen. Tlio Hugh Rose then returned
to Bahroin.
1Information subsequently rcacliod Bahrein that the reinforced tribo
Naccm had sallied out against tho' Beni Hajir and dofeatad thorn with tho
slauglitor of twonty-flvo raon.
15. Tho abovo information is a summary of tho roports received from the
Commander of tho Hugh
A. Letter from C*pUln Campbell, No. 85, dated 2nd September 1871.
II. I.cllor from do., „ 80, „ 7il> .,1874. Hose and from tho Nnlivo
v.. Humnurj of now* from Aflont »t IUhreln. • Agout at Bahroin. Copios of
1). N»w,.writer'* roport <Utod 2nd 8cptomb«r 1874.
Do. .do. do. theso reports as por margin
will bo found attached.
10. With.'rogard to tho aggrossivo'and dangorous,procoodiugs of tho Boni
N°^100(} 20* mft*D Boom ^to bo as stated in paragraph 11 of my
11