Page 60 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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CHAPTER XII.
Collisions and Wrecks of ships on the Oman Coast, 1893—97.
201. In April 1893 the S. S. Khiva, carrying a largo number of pilgrims
to Jeddah, was destroyed by fire of Mer-
Golf Administration Report, 1893*01.
bat on the south coast of Arabia. A full
report on the matter was submitted to the Political Resident in the Persian
Gulf on the 10th of the following May. The assistance rendered by the Sultan
in provisioning and despatching His Highness the Sultan of Zanzibar’s steam­
ship Avocat which was then the only steamer in harbour, to the relief of the
distressed pilgrims and crow, and the subsequent steps taken by llis Highness
for their comfort and accommodation whilst in his territories, were acknow­
ledged by the Government of India by the presentation to His Highness of a
handsome telescope and watch. Presents wero also sanctioned for the loading
Sheikhs and tribesmen of the friendly Arabs who gave shelter and protection
to the pilgrims and crew of the Khiva on their first landing; to their friendly
exertions over a thousand persons, barely escaping the most terrible of the
perils of the sea, owed the safety of their lives aud property.
202. In July 1893 a Porsian bagla belonging to Abdul ICndirand Ibrahim*
bin-Abdul Wahid of Lingah, was wreckod
Golf Admiaiitratloo Report, 1893*91.
on the south-east coast of Arabia at a
place near Mahout. The Nakhoda and crow readied the shore in a boat; but
on landing they were at once sot upon by the Bedouins and robbed of all they
possessed ; while eight of their number who wero negroes were carried off into
slavery. The Nakhoda and the remainder of the crew made their way to Maskat
and reported the circumstances to His Highuoss the Sultan. Measures
were immediately taken by His Highness to effect the liberation of the negroes,
and five of them wero subsequently recovered. Of the remaining three, two
were believed to havo been ransomed by an inhabitant of Lingah, and the
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf was addressed with a view to the neces­
sary enquiries being made, it being also suggested that these men if traced
might be able to furnish information regarding the fate of their missing
companion.
203. In August 1897, collision oocurrcd between the Bombay and Persia
Steam Navigation Company's steamer
Golf Adminiitretion Report, 1897-98,
Mobiie and an Arab dhow from Sur
which resulted in the latter being sunk. All hands were saved by the boats of
the Mobile. The owner of the dhow brought an action against the Bombay and
Persia 8team Navigation Company, but the enquiry showed that the accident
was caused by the negligence of the Nakhoda in not taking the ordinary and
proper precautions to avoid such an accident.

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