Page 406 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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CHAPTER IX.
Marine Survey of the Persian Gulf of certain naval harbours in the
Gulf.
(i). Surveys of Bahrein waters, Bushirc and Kowcit Harbours and Khor Abdulla.

385. In his letter No. 145, dated nth August 1901, Colonel Kemball
suggested that opportunity might be taken
Secret E., October 1901, Noa. 333*336*
to improve the existing marine survey of
the Persian Gulf, especially the vicinity of Bahrein.
386. The Government of India then gave orders to the Director of the
Royal Indian Marine to make arrangements to carry out the survey of the
Persian Gulf during cold weather of 1901-02. A chart of the Bahrein waters
was made by the R.I.M.S. Investigator in 1902.
287. In December 1901 Colonel Kemball suggested that a survey should
be made of Koweit harbour, and he was
External P. April 190!, hoi. 138*140.
informed that there was no objection to
the proposal. On 9th January 1902, the Secretary of State, however, telegraphed
that it was desirable to postpone the survey, as in the circumstances then existing,
the measure might give rise to fresh rumours as to our intentions.
288. The question of the acceleration of the mail steamer service in the
Gulf being under consideration, Colonel
Secret E., June 1903, Nos. 987*39!.
Kemball suggested in September 1902
the survey of the Clarence Strait (in the hope that it might shorten the route to
Lingah), Bassidore and Bushire. His Excellency Rear-Admiral Sir Charles
Drury did not think the survey of the Clarence Strait and Bassidore necessary,
as the former was not deep enough for vessels drawing more than 18 feet at low
water and could not be used without being buoyed and lighted, and the latter
would require dredging a channel 11 miles long to make it available for vessels
of large draught; he approved of the suggestion for surveying the Bushire
harbour.
289. While the question of surveying the Bushire harbour was under consi-
deration, the Resident in February 1903
Ibid, No. 389.
reported that the Commander of the
Sfhinx had raised the question of survey of the Koweit harbour.
290. The Government of India then submitted -both the proposals to the
Secretary of State, and requested that the Shah’s permission might be obtained
as regards Bushire, and as our intentions towards Koweit had now been declared,
the Resident might be authorized to obtain Sheikh Mubarak’s consent as to
Koweit. The Secretaty of State sanctioned both the proposals.
290. The Persian Government asked and were given an assurance that the
Secret E., February 1905, Not. 753-802 (No. proposed survey of the Bushire harbour
would not entail any project for deepening
the same (Foreign Department telegram, dated 13th October 1904). The
Persian Government also sent a representative of theirs to watch the survey.
291. On the recommendation of Rear-Admiral Atkinson Willes it was arrang­
ed that in making the survey of the Bushire harbour, the site proposed for the
cutting of a canal from Khor Deira to Khor Sultani might be examined for
future consideration.
292. The R.I.M.S. Investigator (Captain Hemming) completed the
Secret e., February 1905, No*. 1491*1533 (No. survey of the Bushire harbour on 22nd
*^8>- November 1904. The portion of the har­
bour between Khor Deira and Khor Sultani was carefully surveyed in greater
detail than the rest, but after some discussion between Captain Hemming and
Captain Trevor, it was decided not to make a special large map of this portion
for fear of exciting the suspicions of the Persian representative.