Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterPencil sketch on paper.The sketch shows two, presumably sequential, maritime / topographical views of a series of small islands in the Red Sea.The view was sketched from on board ship and shows eight or nine rocky islands. In the upper view, the sun can be seen going down or coming up behind the largest island. The island on the far left of the upper view may be identical with that on the far right of the lower view. Illegible inscriptions alongside each of these islands may be intended to indicate as such.InscriptionsRecto, in pencil:Right edge: ‘133’Lower left corner: ‘Isabera Islands – Red Sea – 13 Novr 1850’Temporal contextThis sketch is part of a series of six drawings over consecutive days, 11–13 November 1850, during the journey between Aden and the Red Sea.Physical description: Dimensions:162 x 280 mm [landscape]Format:Pencil sketch on paper, pasted into volumeCondition:The sketch is in good condition with only minor surface residue throughout and a number of small dark stains dotted across centre and lower left of the image.Foliation:On paper: ‘133’On mounting paper ‘30’
Abstract: Imprint:Published by John Walker, Geographer to the Honourable East India Company.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures. Depths shown by soundings.Nautical chart of the Red Sea from Suez to Jiddah [Jeddah] compiled from the surveys carried out by the Bombay Marine’s officers showing the route of Palinurus.Includes seven coastal profiles in margins with notes on latitude and longitude variations.Notations concerning the coastal topography and navigation, regions and tribes cover the face of the map.Shows positions for safe anchorage with shoals and rocks represented by crosses.Physical description: Dimensions:1880 x 1207 mm, on sheets 1017 x 677 mm
Abstract: Imprint:Published by John Walker, Geographer to the Honourable East India Company.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures with some mountain ranges shown pictorially. Depths shown by soundings.Nautical chart of the Red Sea from Jiddah [Jeddah] to Bab-el-Mandeb Strait compiled from the surveys carried out by the Bombay Marine’s officers.Includes two coastal profiles in margin and a view from anchorage ‘of the Land and Town of Mocha as a guide to a ship for hauling round the sand banks off the Roads’ with notes on latitude and longitude variations.Notations concerning the coastal topography and navigation, regions and tribes cover the face of the map.Shows positions for safe anchorage with shoals and rocks represented by crosses.Physical description: Dimensions:1866 x 1200 mm, on sheets 1008 x 672 mm
Abstract: This secret and confidential memorandum, printed by the Foreign Office Press in June 1890, concerns the issue of the proposed transfer of Aden, the Somali Coast and everything connected with the Red Sea from the Government of India, and leaving British representation in Persia entirely in the hands of the Government of India. These issues are examined vis-à-vis Italian, French, German and Persian interests. The memorandum is divided into the following sections: 'Aden' (folios 5-6v), 'Somali Coast' (folios 6v-8v), 'Read Sea' (folio 8v), 'Summary' (folios 9-10) and 'Transfer of the Persian Legation to India' (folio 11).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 5, and terminates at folio 11, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 5-156; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Captain Robert Oliver, Superintendent of the Indian Navy.This item concerns a change in the deployment of vessels in the Persian Gulf, with advice from Oliver about the number and ratings of the ships to remain in the Gulf and in the Red Sea.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Coll No [Collection Number] 41, Draft 552, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4415, [Season 18]44’ and ‘Secretary’s Office Marine Branch 1844’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 22 and terminates at f 39, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The Minutes of the Council of India on miscellaneous marine matters. Correspondence discusses the following topics:Cost of maintenance of light vessel at Little Basses Rocks and light dues collectedStern wheel steamersSubscription to funds of the Strangers' Home for AsiaticsStores and fittings for troop shipsMeteorological measurements submitted from BombayDirections for approaching Kurrachee [Karachi] HarbourMedical comforts for troopshipsErection of lighthouses in the Red Sea.The volume includes a map (folio 84) of the Indian Ocean and a Chart of the Red Sea (folio 335). Also included is the Annual Report (1860) of the Strangers' Home for Asiatics, Africans and South Sea Islanders (ff 137-150) and a booklet entitled 'Why Not Render the Red and Indian Sea as Secure for Passengers, Mails etc as the Seas of Great Britain' by Henry Gribble, Commander, HCS.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 395; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Several additional pagination and foliation sequences are present intermittently throughout the volume.
Abstract: Memorandum prepared by Edward Hertlset, Foreign Office Librarian, on 5 March 1874 (printed by the Foreign Office 10 March 1874). The document gives a historical overview (from 1517 to 1874) of claims on the Red Sea coast, with particular focus on those of the Ottoman Turks and the Egyptians. It discusses attempts by the French, Italians and Americans to gain a foothold in the region. It ends with a summary of things as they stand, with political and commercial considerations, as well as those of the slave trade.Hertslet quotes extensively from his sources, notes on which appear in the left-hand margin.Physical description: Foliation: the sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 1-34; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The booklet also contains an original typed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of a Political Letter sent between the Government of Bombay and the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 14 January 1847.The item relates to attempts by the Company to get the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [also rendered in text as Muskat] to agree to a similar arrangement that they have with the Guicowar [Gaekwad] in Kattiwar [Kathiawar, also rendered in text as Kattywar and Katteewar] and the Rao of Cutch [Kachchh]. The arrangement relates to the duties levied on vessels which are forced to dock at ports due to bad weather or needing repairs.Captain Atkins Hamerton, HM Consul and Company Agent in the Dominions of His Highness the Imaum of Muscat, reports on the Imaum's current attitude to such cases and the arrangement currently existing between the Imaum and the Government of the United States of North America. Copies of Hamerton’s letters are ordered to be sent out to numerous offices within the Government of Bombay.The item also includes correspondence from Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, on whether an article in the current treaty existing between the British Government and the Imaum is applicable in the cases noted above.As well as the above, the item’s correspondents also include the Court of Directors.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5595, Draft 346/47’, ‘Collection No. 36 of No. 2’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 235, and terminates at f 252, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The main correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Lieutenant-Colonel William Charles Barker, commanding East India Company steam packet
Ajdaha.The item concerns an account of the aid given by Barker to a steamer belonging to the Viceroy of Egypt, which was wrecked near Ras Gharib in the Red Sea. The item also includes a discussion over whether to allow Barker to keep the sword presented to him by the Viceroy.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 626’, ‘1852’ and ‘Collection No 2 of No 51’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 258, and terminates at f 267, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file contains a printed copy of a booklet containing two agreements: I.
Agreement between the United Kingdom and Italy, consisting of a Protocol with Annexes and Exchanges of Notes; and II.
Bon Voisinage Agreement and Exchanges of Notes between the United Kingdom and Italy, agreed in Rome on 16 April 1938. The booklet is labelled Treaty Series No. 31 (1938), and published by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1938. A cover slip (folio 2) indicates that the booklet was sent by the Secretary of the Political Department in the India Office, and that copies were also sent to India, Bushire, Koweit [Kuwait], and Muscat.Annex 3 is the one most pertinent to British officials in the Gulf, in that it relates to certain areas of the Middle East, namely: Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It concerns an agreement not to interfere in each other’s affairs and possessions in the Red Sea; those islands in the Red Sea to which Turkey had renounced its rights to; and Britain’s Aden protectorate. Other regions and places covered by the annexes include: the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, East Africa, and Lake Tsana [Tana] in Ethiopia. It also covers the exchange of military information between the two countries, the use of propaganda, and Italian assurances on Spain and her possessions.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-3; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.The copy of the agreement included in the file (ff 4-23) has its own printed pagination system running from 3 (f 5) to 39 (f 23), and a contents page which refers to this pagination on the verso of folio 4.
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterPencil sketch on paper.The sketch shows a maritime / topographical view of a coastal region, presumably along the Red Sea or Arabian coastline.The view was sketched from on board ship and shows two dhows and one smaller craft sailing from right to left across the scene. In the background a coastal hill is in shadow while further hills in the distant background are briefly indicated.InscriptionsRecto, in pencil:Right edge: ‘130’Temporal contextThis sketch is part of a series of six drawings over consecutive days, 11–13 November 1850, during the journey between Aden and the Red Sea.Physical description: Dimensions:165 x 271 mm [landscape]Format:Pencil sketch on paper, pasted into volumeCondition:The sketch is in good condition with only minor surface residue throughout. Several areas of spot foxing appears along the left edge, while one area of spot foxing is apparent near the right edge.Foliation:On paper: ‘130’On mounting paper ‘27’
Abstract: This item consists of copies of a Political Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 29 October 1873 and received via Brindisi on 24 November, forwarding copies of a letter from Sir Henry Bartle Frere to Earl Granville, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, dated 28 May 1873. The enclosure comprises a report by Frere who argues the case for additional consulates or agencies for 'Somali land' and the ports of the Red Sea, both for watching the 'slave-trade' which, Frere alleges, is increasingly carried on through all the Red Sea ports, and to report on proceedings of the Turkish and Egyptian officials on the coast of the Rea Sea. The Despatch covering letter refers to Political No. 57 of 16 June 1873 in which the Government of India had stated that it did not consider that the cost for the establishments proposed by Frere for Somali land and the ports of the Red Sea should be charged to the revenues of India, 'unless the Imperial Governement are prepared to undertake half the expenses of Aden' but that in the case of Jedda [Jeddah] the Government of India Foreign Department have no objection to continue the present contribution of £200 annually towards the maintenance of a Consulate and Agency there, or to raise the sum to £300.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 81, and terminates at f 89, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The sequence contains three foliation insertion anomalies: f 81a, f 84a, and f 87a.