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Maskat, Bushire and Bandar Abbas. Admiral Bosanquct was struck with the
paucity of the British influence in the Gulf: wherever one goes, whether from Sur
north to Bushire or south again to Ormuz and Jask, there are splendid remains
of Portuguese forts and houses, and yet their occupation is more than 200 years
past.
(<$) Visit of the Russian cruiser Varyag and His Majesty's Ship Amphitrite,
igoi-igoa.
86. In December 1901 the Russian cruiser Varyag visited Maskat, Bandar
Abbas, Lingah, Bushire, Muhammerah,
Secret E., August 1902, Nos. 1*43.
Basrah and Koweit. It was one of the
largest ships that had ever visited the Persian Gulf and, as it made as much
display as possible, its sight and movements made a deep impression on the people.
In order to counteract this impression, the Government of India, at the sugges­
tion of Colonel Kemball, after communicating with the India Office and the
Admiral at Bombay, arranged that one of the large British men-of-war on her way
to China should visit Maskat and the Gulf. His Majesty’s Ship Amphitrite
(Captain Windham), which sailed from England on 6th May 1902, was accord­
ingly ordered to call at Maskat and Bandar Abbas. It was a first class cruiser
of 11,000 tons.
87. His Majesty’s Ship Amphitrite arrived at Maskat on 8th June
1902, after calling at Dhofar, Kuria Murria and Madruka on her way from Aden.
After exchanging the usual formalities at Maskat, the cruiser showed its flag at
Sur, again at Maskat, Seeb and Barka. It then visited Bahrein, Bushire,
Koweit, the Pirate Coast, and Khor Fakan. Major Cox who, under orders of
the Secretary of State, accompanied Captain Windham, concluded his report of
the cruise (dated 28th June 1902) stating that His Majesty’s ship in question
had visited the Persian Gulf at a lime when the climate was the cause of a good
deal of distress to the ship’s company, fresh as it was from a cold English spring;
but that from a local point of view Government might rest assured that the
Amphitritc's visit was productive of much good. Her Commander, Captain
Windham, who thoroughly appreciated the object of his mission, laid himself out
in every way, by hospitality to visitors, by throwing his ship open to sightseers
and by the liberal exercise of the search light, to impress the natives and make
his cruise effective. If the experiment could be repeated for a year during
winter, it would, Major Cox suggested be an excellent measure.
S8. The suggestion of Major Cox was communicated with approval by the
Secretary of State to the Admiralty, who
Secret B., October 1902, No«. 83 S7.
promised to keep it in view as opportunity
arose.
(c) Visit of the Russian cruiser Askold and His Majesty's Ships Renown and
Fox, /go2-oj.
89. In December 1902 the Russian first class cruiser Askold (6,000 tons)
Secret E., March 1903, Nos. 213-727. visited Maskat, Bandar' Abbas, Lingah,
Secret E , June 1903, Nos. 96-102. Bushire, Basrah and Koweit. The Govern­
ment thought that the cruise of a first class British battleship would be politically
advantageous now, and so it was arranged that His Majesty’s Ship Renown
should visit Maskat, Bushire, and Bandar Abbas, but not Koweit on account of
the draught of water. It left Bombay for the Gulf on 25th January 1903.
It called at Lingah, as well as Bandar Abbas, both of which ports are visited
generally by French and Russian ships. The Naval Commander-in-Chief also
directed, at the request of the Government of India, that His Majesty’s ships
passing up and-down the Gulf during the cool season shall show the flag at
Lingah as well as at Bandar Abbas.
(d) Cruise of His Excellency Lord Curzon in the Gulf.
90. Lord Curzonfs cruise on H. M. S. Hardinge accompanied by the
squadron of H. M. ships Hyacinth, Fox, Pomone and Argonaut answered
well the purpose of counteracting the impression made by visits of foreign
men-of-war in the Gulf. On account pf this cruise is given in the Prdcis on
International Rivalry and Briiish Policy.