Page 292 - Gulf Precis (V)_Neat

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The Mutassarif proceeded to Jnbail in the Iskanderiah with some troops
and plundered the castle of Sobaih, the inhabitants of which placo flod on- his
approach.
363, On the 30th May 1879 the Turkish blockade ruunor Arkadi arrived
Arrival of tbo Arkadi nt Rairali. at Basrah from Constantinople with two
Political A., September 1879, No. 602.
life boat cutters, each fitted to carry a
small gun.
361. In our despatch No. 91 of 28th July 1S79 wc forwarded to Secretary
Political A., September 1879, No. 360. of State copy of two letters from Colonel
(I) No. 167 of 6th Maj 1879. Boss. The first of these contained a state­
(3) No. 171 of 8th „ „
Appondii. ment drawn up by Colonel Ross, show­
ing the maritime aggressions brought to
the notice of the Resident by the Chief of Bahrein, as having been committed
on vessels belonging, and persons subject, to his authority.
365. The Government of India observed that the British Resident was
bound, by Article 3 of the Bahrein Convention of 1861, forthwith to take the
necessary steps for obtaining reparation, and that accordingly application had
been made through the- Political Agent in Turkish Arabia to the Turkish
authorities at Constantinople. Tho recovery of four stolen boats by H. M. S.
Vulture was also reported.
366. The second letter wa* a reply to a refcrcnco from tho Government of
India, and contained Colonel Ross’ reasons for his non-concurrence with the
opinion expressed by Colonel Nixon that the recent piracies in the Gulf had
emanated from internecine quarrels among the tribos upon tbo mainland. Colonel
Ross attributed these lawless outbreaks to the neglect of the Turkish local
authorities to deal vigorously with the offenders at the beginning.
367. On the 15th July 1879 the Resident in tho Persian Gulf reported by
Zt!d>biD>Mabooic<]. telegram that Zaid-bin-Mahomed, the
Political A., 8«pt.mb*r 1879, No. 603.
notorious Beni Hajir robber, was again
engaged in piracy. Ho had plundered a Bahrein pearl vessel and killed or
wounded four persons. Tho Resident remarked that this was to be expected
from the complete immunity enjoyed by the pirates.
868. Colonel Ross was asked by telegram to report the locality of the piracy
whether it took placo in Turkish waters
Political A, September 1879, No. 615.
. or the open sea, and whether he deemed
it necessary to order the British gun-boats to aid on this spot.
369. Colonel Ross* letters Nos. 24-9 and 261 of the 16tli and 19th July 1879
Political A., September 1876. No.. 604 ».,d 610. though written before the receipt of this
telegram, answered the questions contain-
ed in it.
^ePre^a^on t°ok place off Bas Lafan, the north-eastern point of
tbe Katar promontory within Turkish jurisdiction. The pirates were alleged
to nave been aided by the inhabitants of Khor Shuieej, a village to the south of
Has Lafan and about 20 miles north of Bidaa.
_ Mahomed-bin-Ibrahim A1 Cbaarban, a diver and a subject of Bahrein
was in command of the boat attacked. His story was that ho and 34 other
Bahrein subjects had finished their pearl-fishing on July 6th, and went to anchor
m 5V? fathoms water off Ras Haffan. Towards next morning,
Zaid-bin-Mahomed, his brother (Jand-bin-Mahomed) and ten others of the Bom
lF Qua. .o?arak» together with some men of tbo A1 Mahondah, who lived at
Khor Bbujee], in a small shoce attacked his boat, fired at thorn, killed ono man
and wounded three, and then plundered tbe boat. Tbe pirates carriod off two
slaves and 2,026 krans worth of property. They then put themselves with some
of Ins crow, including the wounded, into a buggarah, and made off with his
boat.^ He met a friendly buggarah, and, having received assistance, pursued
the pirates who landed near Rasoon Uasoa and escaped. He then recovered
bis boat, which was loft on tho shore and came to Bahrein, whore bo reported
the occurrence, and the News Agent informed Colonel Ross.