Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the flying of flags on Tamb island [Greater Tunb] and on Sirr Abu Nu'air [Şīr Bū Nu‘ayr]. In 1933 Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, encouraged the shaikhs of the Trucial Coast to fly their flags on these islands to prevent the Government of Persia from claiming ownership. This led to a dispute between the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Ruler of Sharjah over the erection of buildings on the islands. This dispute had previously surfaced during the Residencies of Percy Zachariah Cox and Arthur Prescott Trevor.The file contains a note written by Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah recording a conversation between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent, Bahrain. Also discussed is the attempt by the Shaikh of Ras al-Khaimah to collect tribute from Persians living on Tamb Island.Correspondence is mainly between Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah; Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Other correspondents include Edward Birbeck Wakefield, Political Agent, Bahrain; Cornelius James Pelly, Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Sharjah); William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. Some of the correspondence is conducted from the office of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, SS
Nearchus, at sea.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 2-23; 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 part contains papers mostly relating to British interests in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf.It includes a copy of the Board of Trade Commercial Intelligence Committee ‘Report received from Mr. H. W. Maclean, the Special Commissioner appointed by the Commercial Intelligence Committee of the Board of Trade, on the conditions and prospects of British trade in Persia.’A handwritten note at the front of the file, on folio 5, states ‘Spare copy of notes & correspondence of the “Helmand Control” file (with maps)’. Folio 110 consists of handwritten notes, including one dated 27 April 1904, which states ‘The secret Helmand papers have been printed up, and a set, with necessary maps, is submitted for H.E. the Viceroy to take to England.’ Much of the file concerns the question of controlling the water of the Helmand river and irrigating its whole delta, and the work of the Seistan Arbitration Commission to arbitrate between Persia and Afghanistan on the question of rights to the water of the Helmand in Seistan.The file also includes reports by W A Johns on reconnaissances of potential railway routes made while he was attached to the Seistan Arbitration Commission, and other papers relating to railways and roads in Persia.In addition, the file includes copies of the following Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, which reproduce received Foreign Department correspondence on the following subjects: ‘Selection of a British naval base in the Persian Gulf.’, November 1901, Nos. 74-83; ‘Visit of His Excellency the Viceroy to the Persian Gulf during November-December 1903.’, February 1904, Nos. 33-127; ‘Establishment of telegraphic communication with Henjam. Question of the selection of a naval base in the Persian Gulf. Aggressive action of the Persians at Tamb and Abu Musa; their claim to the Islands.’, June 1904, Nos. 300-388; ‘Reports of the Commercial Mission to Persia.’, June 1905, Nos. 45-111; ‘Question of retaining flagstaffs erected in the neighbourhood of the Musandim Promontory’, August 1905, Nos. 288-307.’The file also includes: brief handwritten notes written by Curzon on headed paper belonging to the Viceregal Lodge, Simla, relating to Seistan and to Lord Kitchener’s planned reforms for the reorganisation and redistribution of the Indian Army; and a printed copy of the report ‘A Note by Major H.L. [Herbert Lionel] Showers, C.I.E., on the present state of affairs in Kelat and a review of the system of Administration now being pursued.’The file includes four maps: ‘Map of the Tail waters of Helmand River’ (13 July 1903), f 122; ‘Plan Shewing Proposed Routes for a Railway from Nushki to Afghan Frontier near Robat’ (10 April 1903), f 139; ‘Extract from Admiralty Chart No. 753. (Entrance to the Persian Gulf).’ (October 1901), f 219; and ‘Sketch of route Ram Hormuz to Fellahieh.’ (April 1904), f 230.Physical description: The papers are arranged in no apparent order, apart from the Government of India Foreign Department Proceedings, folios 231 to 474, which are arranged in chronological order.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the external developments which took place in the Trucial States, covering 1908-28, and how problems presented by the States stand at the time of writing.Covering:introduction – to the memorandum itself; Trucial Chiefs; administration; responsibility of political control by the Government of India; and political expenditure;internal History, 1908-28 – noting it is not to be repeated in this memorandum, but does include a section on an agreement concerning oil concessions;external developments affecting the Trucial Sheikhs, 1908-28 – the rise of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and activity of the Wahabis [Wahhabis]; the reassertion of Persian authority in the Persian Gulf, particularly Henjam; and Persia challenging the independence of Trucial Chiefs, particularly Tamb;It includes a summary detailing the problem of Ibn Saud and the Wahabi [Wahhabi] movement, the question of an Imperial air route along the north Arabian coast, and the importance of British influence in the Gulf. A list of points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and the view expressed by the Government of India are also given.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 53, and terminates at f 56, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (John Charles Walton); the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (L Lefroy, Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington, Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros) on the subject of possible concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs and the formation of a new company, Petroleum Concessions Limited to undertake negotiations for these concessions.Matters discussed include:correspondence from Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson, negotiator for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) discussing what he had learned of the extent and boundaries of Abu Dhabi territory; his negotiations with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and his eventual success in securing a two year option, including a copy of the agreement signed between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Also included in the correspondence is information on the different tribes and tribal groups within Abu Dhabi; the availability of water, livestock and food supplies; and transport options within the country;the decision by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to form a new subsidiary company, Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) to take on the options obtained from Trucial Coast Shaikhs and exploit potential concessions should oil be found. The correspondence is primarily between Sir John Skliros, Chairman of Petroleum Concessions Limited, Langlois Massy Lefroy and Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and representatives of the India Office discussing the establishment of PCL and their interest in negotiating an extension of their options to five years and including draft concessions in those extensions. Enclosed within the volume are PCL’s proposed draft concession agreements for Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah], Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait Neutral Zone and Bahrain; the two year option agreement signed with Shaikh Rashid bin Homaid [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī], Ruler of Ajman ; and interest in an option in Umm-ul-Quwain [Umm al Qaywayn];correspondence from Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat expressing a desire to have a mineralogical survey undertaken within his territories, as although the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (now the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) had surveyed the area in the past he wished to have a second opinion to settle the question of whether or not there might be oil;attempts by Major Frank Holmes to form a British Company to pursue possible Oil Concessions on the Trucial Coast, which failed, and his subsequent appointment by Petroleum Concessions Limited to act as their negotiator in the Persian Gulf;the question of whether an option for Kalba [Kalbā] would be of interest and discussing its complicated political status involving the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah;discussion over the wording of the option agreement between the Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah and AIOC and whether it covers the island of Tamb (also given as Tanb) [Greater Tumb].Correspondence with the various Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic, with translations in English, and the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 200-204.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 7-199; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume is entitled
Supplementary List of Undertakings etc, of a Confidential Nature between the Trucial Chiefs of Oman and the British Government, 1911-1912. There are also two duplicate copies of the same item. One of the copies is inscribed 'Received under Foreign and Political Department endorsement 147 E.A. of 22.6.16'.The volume contains transcribed documents in English followed by corresponding documents in Arabic. The documents comprise correspondence between the Political Resident and Trucial Coast chiefs concerning pearling concessions and the lighthouse on Tamb Island.The volumes are accompanied by an unbound file copy of IOR/R/15/1/735.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence runs through all four volumes, commencing at 1 on the front cover of the first, and terminating at 64 on the back cover of the last. These numbers are written in pencil, are enclosed in a circle, and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1, 1A, 1B, 1C.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence relating to the work of the Golden Valley Ochre and Oxide Company Limited (Commander Daniel Harvey Rainier) in the Persian Gulf.The initial correspondence between the Company and the Residency Agent at Sharjah discusses obtaining permission from the Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra’s al Khaymah] (Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) to investigate red oxide deposits on Tunb Island.The later correspondence relates to two thefts which occurred in December 1943 and January 1944 on the Company’s property and stores at Abu Musa and includes a report from the Company’s watchman on the island (Aḥmad bin ‘Abdullāh) and correspondence with the Company’s Agent at Sharjah (Hosain bin Ḥasan Amad) and Cunningham and Gibaud, a loss Adjusting company appointed to handle the claim.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 45-47.Physical description: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 48; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Corrections have been made to this sequence which have been crossed through.An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 4-44; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Document outlining the status of the Islands of Tamb, Little Tamb, Abu Musa, and Sirri. It includes the following: an introduction to the status of the islands; a history of the islands prior to 1887; the occupation of Sirri by Persia, 1887; the temporary Persian occupation of Abu Musa and Tamb, 1904; the status of Sirri in 1909; the erection of a lighthouse on Tamb Island, and communications to the Persian Government and the Sheikh of Shargah [Shaikh of Sharjah], 1912-13; statements made by His Majesty's Government to the German Government as to the ownership of Abu Musa, 1907-14; reassertion of the Persian claim to Tamb and Abu Musa, 1923; Persian customs interference at Abu Musa, 1925-26; reassertion of the Persian claim to Tamb, 1928; and a final summary.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 23, and terminates at f 26, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file concerns the territorial status of a number of islands in the Persian Gulf. The issue arose in response to a request from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company Limited to the Foreign Office in 1938 concerning the extent of Iranian (generally referred to as Persian) territory, in order that the company could choose the precise location of the 100,000 square mile oil concession granted to them by the Iranian Government.The islands principally concerned are Tamb (also referred to as Tumb and Tunb), Little Tamb (also referred to as Nabiya Tunb), Abu Musa, Farur, Little Farur (also referred to as Nabiya Farur), Sirri, Arabi, and Farsi.The papers include correspondence from the Foreign Office describing the position of the British Government with regard to the status of each island; the question of whether to offer an ex gratia payment to the Shaikh of Sharjah in respect of any oil found at Sirri, September-October 1938; papers concerning the extent of Iranian territorial waters and the issue of offshore oil fields, including comments by the Petroleum Department, 1938; and the flying of the flag of the Shaikh of Ras al Khaima over Tamb Island, 1942.The file also includes India Office confidential prints dated 1928 relating to the status of some of the islands concerned.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 77; 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 present in parallel between ff 2-33; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file concerns the ownership of the islands of Tamb and Abu Musa, following a revival of the Persian Government's claim to both islands in 1948. The British Government's position was that Tamb belonged to the Shaikh of Ras el Khaimah [Ra's al-Khaymah], and Abu Musa to the Shaikh of Sharjah, and after re-examining the evidence in 1949 the British Government saw no reason to alter its position. The file also contains papers concerning the island of Farsi, which was subject to claims by Persia and Saudi Arabia, but which the British Government considered to belong to the Shaikh of Kuwait.The file contains correspondence from the Foreign Office, the British Embassy in Tehran, and the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 15; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence related to the disputed ownership of the Tamb (also written as Tanb and Tund) [Greater and Lesser Tumb] islands between Ras al-Khaimah and the Government of Persia. The islands of Abu Musa and Henjam and their status are also mentioned intermittently throughout the file.The file is largely composed of internal correspondence between British officials at the Foreign Office, India Office, Royal Navy (including the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf) and the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf.In addition to this, the file also contains a limited amount of correspondence between British officials and the Government of Persia, some of which is in French.In addition to correspondence, the file also contains the following:Two copies of a memorandum by Mr Lascelles entitled 'Persian Claim to Tamb and Abu Musa (folios 26-32 and 141-145).A 'Note on the Arab Custom of Holding Property "In Common"' written by Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, the Political Agent in Kuwait (folios 40-44).An India Office report entitled 'Status of the Islands of Tamb, Little Tamb, Abu Musa and Sirri' (folios 347-350).A memorandum entitled 'Suggestion that the Island of Tamb Might be Leased to Persia (folios 419-422).The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 439; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 4-436 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, reports, plans, photographs, indentures and tables relating to the lighting and buoying of the Persian Gulf.The discussion in the volume relates to the transfer of the responsibility for lighting and buoying from the British India Steam Navigation Company to the Government of India, and the planning, costs of construction and the diplomacy associated with this.Included in the volume (ff 303-310) is the 'Report of a Committee of Enquiry on the Lighting and Buoyages of the Persian Gulf'. Key locations identified for lighting are: Muscat, Little Quoin, Jezirat Tanb, Sheikh Shuaib, Kubbar Island, Ras Al Arz, Fasht ad Dibal.The volume is part 1 of 2. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part of the year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the loose spine with 444; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This part is mainly composed of interdepartmental correspondence discussing repairs and alterations to the lighthouse buildings on Quoin Island and, to a lesser extent, those on Tamb Island (also written in the correspondence as Tanb Island).Most of the part focuses on the details and costs of proposed repairs and alterations to the lighthouse buildings on Quoin Island, covering the period 1919-1926. Also discussed are details of the work required and costs involved for repairs to the lighthouse buildings and the
kutcharoad [makeshift, dirt road] on Tamb Island, covering the period 1919-1923.Some of the correspondence touches on the more general issue of financing lighting and buoying in the Persian Gulf.Notable correspondents include the following: the Viceroy of India; the Director of the Royal Indian Marine; officials of the India Office, the Foreign Office, the Treasury, the Government of India's Department of Commerce, and the Government of India's Marine Department.Physical description: 1 item (86 folios)