Abstract: The file discusses the proposed new radio frequencies to be used by the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) for their air navigational aids, and enquiries to Cable and Wireless (Cecil Edward Gahan), Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf (L E Porter), Air Staff Liaison Officer at Bahrain (G E Lewis), RAF Sharjah and International Aeradio Limited (Anthony J Hemelik) as to whether the new proposed frequencies would be acceptable to them.The word wireless has been misspelled on the cover of the file as 'wirless'.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 19-20.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 21; 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 2-18; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Pagination: the file notes at the back (ff 19-20) have been paginated with pencil.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence, circulars and other papers relating to visits by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India (the Marquis of Willingdon, Major Freeman Freeman-Thomas) and his wife Lady Willingdon (Marie Freeman-Thomas) to Bahrain and Sharjah in May 1934, while travelling by Imperial Airways from Karachi to Basra, and their return to both of these places on the return flight back to Karachi in August 1934. Correspondents in the file include: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle, the Political Agent at Bahrain, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, and the Residency Agent at Sharjah, Khan Bahadur ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Latif.The file includes:correspondence concerning the arrangements made for the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon’s overnight stay at the RAF rest house at Sharjah, on the night of 16 May 1934, and their meeting with the Residency Agent and the Sheikhs of Sharjah (Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī) and Dubai (Sa‘id bin Maktum Āl Maktum);correspondence concerning the arrangements made for the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon to visit Bahrain on 17 May 1934, including: arrangements for the Ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, to hold a coffee reception in a tent at the aerodrome; the presentation of a speech and gift to the Viceroy by Sheikh Ḥamad; the presentation of invited Arab and European/American guests to the reception, including a lists of invitees (ff 64-65), an invitation to (f 44) and responses from European and American guests (ff 159-167), which includes representatives of the Government of Bahrain, Bahrain Petroleum Company, and the American Mission at Bahrain; appropriate hot weather dress for the occasion;correspondence covering both visits, including: security arrangements; the organisation of gun salutes; gifts for the Viceroy;following the visits in May 1934: newspaper cuttings from the
Iraq Timesand
The Timesreporting on the visits to Bahrain (ff 101-102); correspondence regarding appropriate gifts to be given by the Viceroy to the Sheikhs of Bahrain and Sharjah; the Political Agent’s report on the Viceroy’s visit to Bahrain (ff 84-85), and the Residency Agent’s report on the visit to Sharjah (Arabic and English, ff 87-92); letters of thanks and appreciation from the Sheikhs;arrangements for stopovers by the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon at Bahrain and Sharjah in August 1934, which are to be private visits, including, at Bahrain, a visit to the house of Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah for refreshments;following the visits in August 1934: reports of the respective visits by the Political Agent at Bahrain (ff 143-144) and the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Arabic and English, ff 145-148); arrangements for a gift of a pair of binoculars to the Sheikh of Sharjah;at the beginning of the file there is some correspondence relating to a visit to Bahrain in July 1933 by Lady Willingdon, who is passing through on an Imperial Airways flight (ff 2-7).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the 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 2-167; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume primarily consists of correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch); Political Agent at Bahrain (Tom Hickinbotham); the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Abd ‘al-Razzaq) the India Office (John Charles Walton, Maurice Clauson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, Basil Henry Lermitte, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Frederick Lewisohn); the main subject of discussion is the negotiations between the Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah and Major Frank Holmes, negotiator for Petroleum Concessions Limited.The correspondence discusses the negotiations for a commercial concession in Sharjah, which are concluded in the beginning of July 1937 with the Shaikh agreeing to sign the concession; and his subsequent concern over the Political Agreement and Exchange of Notes relating to the concession agreement.Also discussed in connection with concession agreements is a letter drafted by the India Office which contained an ultimatum to be used should any Shaikh appear to be holding out in negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) with the intention of opening negotiations instead with the Standard Oil Company of California. The ultimatum stated that should the Shaikh in question not wish to give his concession to PCL, he would not be permitted to negotiate with or grant a concession to, any other company. The ultimatum was issued to the Shaikh’s of Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Qaiwain.Further correspondence relates to PCL’s interest in exploring the territory west of the Oman mountain range and the subsequent discussion regarding which rulers claimed responsibility over the territory, whether they had actual authority there or whether it was in the hands of local shaikhs, and how PCL should approach exploring there in those circumstances.The correspondence includes a detailed assessment by the Political Agent at Bahrain, Tom Hickinbotham, of the areas in question and outlines what he knows of the areas of the tribes that claimed ownership including the Beni Kitab [Beni Qitab] (also given as Beni Chittab); Naim [Āl Na‘īm], Bu Shamis [Āl Bū Shāmis] and Duroor [Al-Durur] as well as outlining where he believed the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and Sultan of Muscat’s areas of authority to be. The correspondence concludes by recommending that the Company be persuaded to delay their explorations into this territory until the following year in order to permit the Political Agent and Residency Agent to spend the winter visiting and exploring these areas in order to ascertain a more accurate knowledge of the situation.Other matters discussed in the volume include:an invitation from the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi to Petroleum Concessions Limited to open concession negotiations with him and the company’s wish for Khan Sahib Yusuf Kanoo to accompany their negotiator (Basil Henry Lermitte) to Abu Dhabi;copy of the Debai [Dubai] Commercial agreement (folios 53-70) signed by Major Frank Holmes (PCL), Tom Hickinbotham (Political Agent at Bahrain) and Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm (Shaikh of Dubai).the Political Agreement for the Trucial states which both the India Office and Petroleum Concessions Limited wished to amend, and subsequent negotiations to achieve this. A copy of the redrafted agreement can be found at folios 103-109.a visit by Frank Holmes to the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) for the purpose of opening concession negotiations, which was unsuccessful, and concerns that the Shaikh would attempt to negotiate with the Standard Oil Company despite being informed by the British Government that such negotiations would not be permitted.Petroleum Concessions Limited’s intention to employ Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson to work for them in the Persian Gulf as his employment with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company had ended and their concern that they would not be able to do so owing to the circular issued by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf preventing Williamson from visiting the Arab Coast. Also included is discussion of the decision by the India Office and Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to make the company aware of the evidence they had in support of Williamson’s actions on the Trucial Coast in which he was seen to be working against the interest of his employers (PCL) and of the Shaikh of Dubai.Correspondence with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in English and Arabic; letters from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company contain Persian and English letterheads.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 191-196.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 5-190; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file consists of an agreement between the British Government and Petroleum Concessions Limited, consisting of eleven clauses which lay down conditions relating to the Sharjah Oil Concession.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 2; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This memorandum was prepared by John Gilbert Laithwaite in May 1934 and comments on the history of the concession of red oxide on Abu Musa [Abū Mūsá]. The concession was granted in April 1898 by Sheikh Salim bin Sultan [Sālim bin Sulṭān Āl Qāsimī] while acting as Regent. On his return the ruling Sheikh, Sagar bin Khalid [Ṣaqr bin Khālid Āl Qasimī], saw nothing objectionable it. The concession was made to Hassan Samaiyah, his son Abdullah and Isa bin Adul Latif [‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Laṭīf], son of the Residency Agent at Sharjah. The concessionaires were described as British subjects and the interest in the concession of Herr Wonckhaus [Robert Wonckhaus] and Frank Clarke Strick is detailed. The memorandum also describes the claim of the Persian Government to Abu Musa and notes that the concession granted for five years to Frank Clarke Strick in January 1923 expired at the beginning of 1928 but there is nothing to show that any application was made for a renewal.Physical description: The main foliation 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 parallel foliation sequence is also present between ff 2-6; these numbers are typed, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: General view of Sharjah Town, taken from aross Sharjah Creek looking southeast. The horizon line is punctuated by various built structures, before which a variety of dhows and other craft are moored, at anchor or pulled up along the shoreline.A large group of figures can be seen standing alongside a white-washed wall right of the centre of the image.A gravelly area to the left in the foreground indicates that the photograph was taken from land, not from onboard a ship. This photograph was previously identified as the view of the sea front in Bahrain, presumed to be either Manama or Muharraq. Due to evidence found in the map ‘Persian Gulf: Plans of the North East Coast of Bahrain Island’, IOR/L/PS/12/1972, f 245 (i.e., there is no land a few hundred meters offshore of Manama or Muharraq corresponding to that seen in the photograph's foreground and the shorelines in the map do not match the shoreline in the photograph) and the fact that the architectural style of the two defensive towers with their distinctive 'noses’ in the photograph's centre and centre-left is common in the UAE but unknown in Bahrain, it is believed that this is a photograph of Sharjah Town, taken from across Sharjah Creek looking southeast, as shown in the 'Trigonometrical Plan of the Back-water at Sharja’ (1822) in IOR/X/3689.Inscriptions:Upper right, in pencil alongside image: 'b', '38'Below image, in pen: 'Bahrein'Physical description: Dimensions:106 x 206 mmFormat:Albumen print on paperCondition:The print is in good condition with staining and light creasing in the sky area in the upper left corner and minor surface dirt throughout.Foliation:‘b’ (crossed out); ‘38’Process:Albumen print
Abstract: This item consists primarily of copies of correspondence and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Moollah Hoossein [Mullah Ḥusayn], British Agent at Sharjah.The item concerns:Relations between the Benyas [Bani Yas] and the Joasmees [Āl Qawāsim]Negotiations between the son [‘Alī bin Rashid al-Nu‘aymī] of the late Shaikh of Ejman [Ajman] and the brother [Shaikh Ṣāliḥ bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī] of the Shaikh of Sharjah over the piracy of Mahomed bin Suhur [Muḥammad bin Suhur?]A complaint by Soleman bin Jassem [Sulayman bin Jāsim], a merchant from Bahrain, about the death of one of his men at Kishm [Qeshm].The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No. 10, Draft 244, P C [Previous Communication] 2683’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 164 and terminates at f 179, 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: Distinctive Features:Detailed plan drawn by James Taylor Gray for Design Branch of the Air Ministry showing existing buildings and proposed extensions to RAF base in Shargah. Premises labelled for reference with dimensions given; proposed additions indicated in red.Physical description: Dimensions:460 x 730 mm, on sheet 538 x 742 mm
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the oil concession in the Sharjah territories. The correspondence is between: the Political Agent at Bahrain; representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, in London, Bahrain, and the Trucial Coast [United Arab Emirates]; the Residency Agent at Sharjah; the Political Residency at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency]; the India Office; Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], the Ruler of Sharjah; and the Government of India.The majority of the file covers an amendment to the 1937 concession agreement between the oil company, Petroleum Concessions Ltd, and Shaikh Sultan that was made in February 1946. This amendment was made in order to extend the permitted drilling period following the Second World War, during which no drilling was carried out. Permission to open negotiations over the matter was sought from the British Government by the company. There is a copy of the agreed amendment on folio 72.Other matters covered by the file include:the desire of Shaikh Sultan to open a bank branch in Sharjah in order to receive royalty payments;confirmation of the initial 1937 concession agreement;the presentation by Petroleum Concessions Limited of a gift of motor vehicles to Shaikh Sultan;payment of the annual concession payment by the company to Shaikh Sultan;the arrival of a geological party in the Trucial Coast in early 1946;the correct channels of communication with the British Government to be used by the company.Folios 19-28 is Memo B 467 of the India Office and includes a copy of the commercial agreement between the company and Shaikh Sultan, a copy of the 'political agreement' between the company and the British Government, and copies of correspondence relating to both.Folios 76-80 are internal office notes.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 present in parallel between ff 2-75; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence which discusses two matters.Firstly, issues around the granting of exclusive rights to the British India Steam Navigation company to use Sharjah as a Port of call and how to deal with any requests from Soviet and Japanese shipping. Correspondents include Lieutenant Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Political Agent, Bahrain; the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation.Secondly, reports (ff 9-15) of a fight aboard SS
Wosangat Sharjah on 3 April, 1945. Correspondents include Commodore I W Whitehorn, Senior Naval Officer Persian Gulf; Captain J Hull; V G Bhandare, Surgeon, SS
Wosang.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the 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 present in parallel between ff 2-8; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file opens with a letter from Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to Sultan bin Saqr al Qassim [Shaikh Sultān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah, dated 12 February 1946, requesting an amendment to the previous oil concession agreement which was drawn up between the two parties in September 1937. The request is for an extension of the previously agreed period of nine years which had been allocated for the company to undertake a geological examination of the agreed area prior to drilling. The next letter in the file is a reply from the Sultan who agrees to the extension owing to the disruption caused by the Second World War. The documents following this include copies of the original oil concession agreements (both the commercial agreement between the Sultan and the petroleum company and the political agreement between the company and the British Government), and copies of related correspondence between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Shaikh of Sharjah, the India Office and Petroleum Concessions Limited, relating to the original agreements.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 13; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file comprises of a letter from Ernerst Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior) enclosing a copy of an amendment to the Sharjah Oil Concession agreement agreed with Sheikh Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī. The amendment is in Arabic and English.Also enclosed is a letter from the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Raymond Clive Murphy) to which includes details of an agreement reached between the Shaikh of Sharjah and the Chiefs of the Beni Qitab, which would grant Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited permission to operate in Beni Qitab territory in return for a share of the income derived from the oil concession agreement.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 7; 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 2-6; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.