Abstract: This item consists mostly of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. It is the first of two items on the subject of the Euphrates expedition of 1835-37 (the other item is IOR/F/4/1701/68746).The item concerns the latter stages of the Euphrates expedition and the decision of the Government of Bombay to continue the expedition beyond its originally-assigned duration. It mostly consists of reports and letters prepared by Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition. The topics covered are:The ascent and descent of the Tigris river as far as Bagdad [Baghdad] by the
Euphratessteamer, from September to October 1836The ascent and descent of the Euphrates river by the
Euphratessteamer, from October to November 1836, including the damage suffered to one of the engines and the arrangements made for the mail being carried by the steamer to be conveyed onwards to BritainLocal reactions to the expeditionThe activities of the
Euphratesfollowing the departure of Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition, including the ascent and descent of the Karoon [Karun] river, and the return to BagdadThe assessments of Chesney and other members of the expedition of their achievements, and their recommendations for maintaining steamers on the Euphrates.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 86 and terminates at f 148, 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 memorandum consists of notes and observations on the navigability of the Karoon [Kārūn] river supplied by Captain H Wells, Royal Engineers, with a particular focus on Ahwaz [Ahvāz]. It also supplies a few suggestions for possible improvements.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 133, and terminates at f 134, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 24 dated 2 February 1857. The enclosures are dated 4-14 January 1857.The item comprises two despatches from Major-General Foster Stalker, Commanding the Persian Expeditionary Force, to the Secretary to the Government and the Quarter-Master General of the Army, Bombay, reporting the progress of operations against Persia [Iran], the condition of the troops, and logistical aspects of potential future movements of the Field Force, in particular the potential routes towards Shuster [Shushtar].The numerous enclosures to Stalker’s despatches consist of correspondence of, and reports by, the following military and naval officers and political officials: Lieutenant J [C?] Ballard, Superintendent Intelligence Department; Major R L Taylor, on Special Duty in Persia and Vice-Consul, Busrah [Basra]; Lieutenant J H Selby, Indian Navy, Commanding the
Cometand Surveyor in Mesopotamia [Iraq]; Lieutenant Herbert Disbrowe, Assistant Political Agent, Persian Expeditionary Force; Captain J B Dunsterville, Assistant Commissary General, Persian Expeditionary Force; Major John Hill, Commanding Engineer, Persian Field Force; Lieutenant Claude Merriman, Field Engineer, Persian Field Force; Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Political Agent with the Forces, Civil Commissioner of the Town and Resident, Persian Gulf; Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; and J G Taylor, HM Vice-Consul and Commissariat Agent, Busrah.The papers notably cover and include:A ‘Memorandum regarding the force of the enemy in Fars’, detailing the number and condition of Persian forces encamped at the village of Borazgaon [Borazjan] ‘36 miles from Bushire’ [Bushehr], and the names of the Persian commanding officers (ff 369-370)Strategic information regarding both the Karun River [also spelled Karoon in this item] and Bebehan [Behbahan] routes for a potential advance towards Shuster, including information on the geography, terrain and climate of the area around the Karun River as well as its navigability for large vessels and steamers, disembarkation points, and resources for supporting the armyInformation on Mohumrah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] and the surrounding area including: the terrain, climate and agriculture; a list of ‘Arab tribes tributary to the Persians’ on that coastal region including the extent of their armaments (ff 373-376); a report by Lieutenant Merriman on his reconnoitre of the town and fortifications at Mohummerah and a sketch of the nature of the defences being erected by ‘the enemy’ there (IOR/L/PS/5/490, f 410)A report by Lieutenant Ballard ‘regarding the countries through which a force marching on Shuster or Bebehan respectively would have to pass’ ( ff 382-392)A ‘Sketch showing supposed movements of the enemy of English Army seizing Mohumrah preparatory to ascending the Karun’, and a sketch map by Lieutenant Ballard, of the route between Bushire and Shiraz (IOR/L/PS/5/490, f 393 and f 394)An estimate by Major Hill ‘of the probable military force that will be required for an expedition to Shuster, on the Karoon River’ (ff 404-409)Information regarding the commissariat measures that would be required in order to advance on and besiege Shuster, including the method of advancing on Mohumrah and the large number of camels and mules it would be necessary to procureA memorandum by Commodore Ethersey detailing the kind of river transport it would be advisable to procure for an expedition to Shuster near the head of the Karoon RiverGeneral reports regarding the procurement of supplies and animals for the force near Bushire and the expected reinforcementsInformation supplied by Major Hill regarding the supply of materials for defences and for buildings to accommodate the troops during hot weather, notably what can be utilized from date treesA coloured map entitled ‘Sketch of the position of British Force at Bushire’ (IOR/L/PS/5/490, f 422).The item also includes the ‘Political diary of events connected with and, business transacted in the Bushire Residency in relation to the Persian Gulf Expeditionary Force’ covering 22 December 1856 to 4 January 1857, inclusive (ff 423-428).Physical description: 1 item (62 folios)
Abstract: Volume containing correspondence related to the Euphrates expedition of 1835-36, a survey of the navigability of the Euphrates River as part of a possible overland route between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. The correspondence covers: the overland journey from Sovedia [Samandağ] to Bir [Birecik]; the journey down the Euphrates to Bussora [Basra]; delays to the expedition caused by the obstructionism of various Ottoman officials, particularly Mehmet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, and his son Ibrahim Pasha; the sinking of the steamer
Tigrisduring a storm, with the loss of 23 men; exploratory journeys along the Tigris and Karoon [Karun] rivers; and analysis of the results of the expedition.The primary correspondent is the commander of the expedition Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney. Other correspondents include: Chesney’s second-in-command Lieutenant Henry Blosse Lynch and other officers of the expedition; the Board of Control; the Government of Bombay; the British Consul, Aleppo; the British Consul, Baghdad; and HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.Lists of the expedition’s personnel in March and October 1836 are included on folios 130 and 414, respectively. A list of the men lost in the sinking of the
Tigrisis on folio 227.A breakdown of the distances and fuel consumption for each leg of the journey down the Euphrates is provided on folio 240, and for the return journey along the Tigris to Baghdad on folios 416 and 418. The dimensions of the steamer
Euphratesare on folio 415.Lists of the contents of the
Euphratesat the end of the expedition, including valuations, is provided on folios 503-515. The final accounts of the expedition are on folio 525.The bulk of the correspondence dates from 1834-1838, the later dates cover a request for a picture and short biography of Colonel Chesney for an article in the
Dublin University Magazine(folios 551-568).The volume includes a table of contents on folios 1-8. Separate contents pages appear on folios 340-341, covering folios 342-403, and on folio 500, covering folios 501-526.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 568; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.