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1. 'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES.'
- Description:
- Abstract: Printed report published by the Intelligence Department of the Admiralty, 1903. The report includes advice on collecting information on defences such as defended areas, minefields, ordnance, under-water defences. Much of the information was extracted from the Persian Gulf Report, 1898.There are details on Muscat; Mussandam Promontory; Khor Kawi [Khawr al Quway‘], Elphinstone Inlet [Khawr ash Shamm], Khasab; Pirate Coast; Bahrain; Kuwait; Fao [Al Fāw]; Basra; Bushire; Lingah; Bundar Abbas [Bandar Abbas].Also included is an 'Official statement of British Policy with regard to (1) the proposed Baghdad Railway; and (2) Persia and the Persian Gulf generally' given in the House of Lords, May 5, 1903.Maps include: rough sketch of operations in the vicinity and Bushire from the 3rd to the 10th February 1857 (Reproduced from Outram's Persian Campaign 1857); sketch of the attack on the batteries of Mohumra [Khorramshahr]: combined naval and military forces under command of Sir James Outram; sketch of the ground in the neighbourhood of Ahwaz [Ahvāz] on the Karun [Kārūn], showing the position occupied by the Persian Army, and the advance of the British detachment upon the town, March 1857. At the back of the report there is a large fold-out map: General Outline Map of the Persian Gulf showing Submarine Cables and the Principal Places mentioned in the Report.Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on a map that is stored in a sleeve at the back of the volume, on number 57.
2. ‘Regarding the Plans & Sections called for of the Aden Seaward Defences’
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of two Military Letters from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 4 September and 16 October 1850 respectively.The item relates to the delay in supplying the Court of Directors with plans and [cross] sections of the seaward defences at Aden. The Military Board, Bombay, put forward their reasons for this delay and outline the information they require from the Home authorities before they can suggest the points on the defences which would be best suited for armament. There is also discussion about the need to supply plans and sections for works being carried out on the isthmus.Correspondents: the Court of Directors; the Military Board; and the Government of Bombay.Folio 789a verso contains a stamp which reads: 'RECEIVED. 26 NOV. [1]850. SOUTHHAMPTON'.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Military', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 7172, Draft No. 123 of 1851', 'Collection No 2', and 'Military Department 1850'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 787, and terminates at f 796, 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. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly: f 789a.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
3. ‘Reports the progress of the works at Aden.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, an extract Military Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 30 October 1847.The item relates to a progress report on the construction work currently being done on the defences at Aden. The report, which covers the month of June 1847, has been submitted to the Bombay Military Board by Captain James Kilner, Executive Engineer. Details are provided on the type of works, as well as their timescales, progress, and costs. The report is then forwarded to the Governor of Bombay, along with the complaint that Colonel Grant had not made any comments on the report.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Military Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5942, Draft 151/48’ and ‘Collection N. 2’. The ‘2’ in ‘Collection No. 2’ has been crossed out and replaced with ‘14’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 738, and terminates at f 746, 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.
4. 'Defences of Aden and Perim.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains extracts from the Military Proceedings of the Government of India, consisting of correspondence, reports, tables and statements relating to defences, fortifications, batteries and barracks at Aden and Perim Island.The principal correspondents are the Secretary to the Government of India, Military Department; the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Military Department; the Secretary of State for India; and the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for War.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 28; 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.
5. 'Claims of Major W Jacob & Lt Col Grant connected with the pleas for the defences of Aden'
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Military Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 10 September 1847.The item relates to requests for remuneration made by Major William Jacob, Bombay Artillery, and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles William Grant, Superintendent Engineer, following their work on the new defences at Aden. The item includes discussions by members of the Government of Bombay Council and the Governor-General of India as to whether the men should be remunerated or whether this might set an ‘embarrassing precedent’. In particular, the Governor-General’s correspondence cites several examples of similar scenarios where officers have not been remunerated beyond the usual allowances. The requests are forwarded on to the Court of Directors for their consideration.As well as the above, the item’s correspondents also include the Military Board, Bombay.Most of the material dates from 1846-47, except from minor extracts of letters cited in Jacob’s letter. These extracts date from 1844.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Military’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5942, Draft 151/48’, ‘Collection No. 3’ and ‘Military Department, Dec[embe]r 1847’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 694, and terminates at f 721, 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.
6. Defences of Aden
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 25 of 1846, dated 2 March 1846. The enclosures are dated and contain correspondence relating to the defences of Aden. This item commences with an abstract of contents (folio 212). Correspondence from the Political Agent in Aden addressed to the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
7. Karrack Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 60 of 1840, dated 7 August 1840. The enclosures are dated 8 May-7 August 1840.They consist of correspondence relating to Karrack [Kharg, also written as such in this item] affairs, specifically the improvement of the fortifications and defences at Karrack. The correspondence includes a plan of its large and small forts on folio 96.Correspondents include: the Military Board, Bombay; the Quartermaster General of the Bombay Army; and the Resident in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (84 folios)
8. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 66 of 1840, dated 25 August 1840.The enclosures are dated 25 July-25 August 1840 and consist of correspondence relating to the improvement of the fortifications at Aden.The correspondents include: the Political Agent at Aden and the Military Board, Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (376 folios)
9. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 33 of 1856, dated 28 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 14-26 April 1856.The enclosures comprise copies of reports and correspondence relating to the deployment of the HC [Honourable Company’s] sloop of war Elphinstoneand steamship Queento the Arabian and African Red Sea coasts, targeted at intimidating insurgent forces and quelling disturbances in: Mecca and Juddah [Jeddah, also spelled Jedda and in this item]; Hodeida [Al Hudaydah, also spelled Hodeidah in this item]; Mussowa [Massawa, also spelled Massowah and Massowa in this item]; and Zeylah [Saylac, or Zeila, Somalia].The papers notably include:Letters and reports by Captain John James Frushard, Indian Navy, Senior Naval Officer, Aden, on the Elphinstoneto: Stephen Page, HM Acting Vice-Consul and Officiating Agent at Judda, requesting Page to forward any proclamation made by the British Government and the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire abolishing the trade in enslaved persons in the Hedjaz [Hejaz]; Camil Pacha [Muḥammad Kāmil Pāshā, also written Mehmed Kiamil Pacha in this item] Governor of the Hejaz, announcing his arrival at Juddah to assist in quelling the disturbances in Mecca; William Marcus Coghlan, Political Resident, Aden, describing proceedings of the Elphinstoneand Queenat Hodeida and with Mahmud Pasha, Governor of Hodeida, against the Assyr [‘Asīr tribe], and reporting the small French presence in the Red Sea portsLetters and reports by Lieutenant G N Adams, Indian Navy, Commanding the Queen, to Coghlan and Rear Admiral Sir Henry John Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, reporting his proceedings at Mocha and Hodeida, Juddah, and Mussowa, including conditions on board ship and running aground on the way to AdenLeeke’s commendation of Frushard and Adams, notably for their ‘zeal and energy’ which saved Hodeida from being ‘cruelly murdered and robbed’ (f 146) by the AssyrCoghlan’s instructions that the Queenconvey the Assistant Political Resident, Lieutenant Robert Lambert Playfair, to Zeylah to investigate reports that Haj Shermarkay [Ḥājjī Sharmārkī ‘Alī Ṣāliḥ], former Ruler of Zeylah, has blockaded the port and committed acts of ‘piracy’ in the vicinity, and to take any necessary action to prevent the interruption of supplies.The principal correspondents are: Coghlan, Frushard, Adams and Leeke.Physical description: 1 item (19 folios)
10. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 28 of 1856, dated 16 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 12 March-16 April 1856.The enclosures comprise copies of reports and letters forwarded by Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan, Political Resident in Aden, and Coghlan’s correspondence with the Government of Bombay. They chiefly relate to the deployment of the HC [Honourable Company’s] sloop of war Elphinstoneand steamship Queento the Arabian and African Red Sea coasts, targeted at intimidating insurgent forces and quelling disturbances in: Mecca and Judda [Jeddah, also spelled Jedda in this item]; Hodeida [Al Hudaydah]; and Mussowah [Massawa, also spelled Massowah and Massowa in this item].They specifically cover:The uprising led by the ‘rebel’ Shereff of Mecca, Aboo Montallib [Sharīf ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib bin Ghālib bin Musā‘ad], purportedly in protest at the abolition of the slave trade by the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire; the Shereff’s alleged intention to attack and plunder Judda; the Shereff’s retreat to Taief [Taif, also spelled Tayf in this item] with his followers and his desertion by them after an engagement with Ottoman soldiers; the re-establishment of order in Judda and Mecca; and the prospective arrival of the new Shereff of Mecca, Ebu Aoun [Muḥammad bin ‘Abd al-Mu‘īn bin ‘Awn]The unsuccessful attempt of the Assyr [‘Asīr tribe, also spelled Asseer in this item] to attack the ports of Hodeida and Mocha in order to drive the Turks [Ottoman local authorities] from Yemen, and then to attack Aden, including: the retreat of British merchants and their families to the safe harbour of Ras Majarmla [Ra’s Mujamilah]; the approach of the Assyr ‘in great numbers’ (f 75) at Hodeida; the arrival of the Elphinstoneand Queenat Hodeida; the defence of the port organised by the Governor of Hodeida (without British help); the retreat of the Assyr due to sickness and inadequate provisions; and the rumoured death from cholera of the leaders and up to 10,000 members of the Assyr forceAn uprising in Mussawah said to be caused by the violent and oppressive policies of the authorities, and its abatement following the arrival of the Elphinstoneand the mediation of the deputy Governor of Mussawah with the ‘rebels’.This item also covers: the logistics of organising the return of the Elphinstoneand Queento Mussawah, Judda and Hodeida in April to avert renewed disturbances at those places; intelligence received by Coghlan, from the Government of Bombay, of certain ‘Sumalee’ [Somali] and Arab individuals employed by the Political Agency ‘who are not to be depended upon’ and if not closely watched would ‘betray their employers to the Asseer [‘Asīr] Arabs, who are approaching in the direction of Aden’ (f 101); and Coghlan’s assertion that all land entrances to Aden are secured and known ‘traitorous’ individuals are being watched.The principal correspondents are: Coghlan; the Government of Bombay; Captain John James Frushard, Indian Navy, Senior Naval Officer, Aden, on the HC ship Elphinstone; Stephen Page, HM Acting Vice-Consul and Officiating HC Agent at Judda; and Lieutenant G N Adams, Indian Navy, Commanding the HC steamship Queen.Physical description: 1 item (38 folios)
11. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 135 of 1846, dated 16 November 1846. The enclosures are dated 25 September-16 November 1846.The enclosures relate to affairs in Aden, notably the following:The progress made in the defences and other public works in the course of construction at Aden, including: a memorandum by Captain James Kilner, Executive Engineer at Aden, on the ‘state of the principal works’ up to 15 October 1846 (ff 129-134); letters from the Military Board and Lieutenant-Colonel C W Grant, Bombay Engineers, complaining that progress will be continuously delayed and obstructed due to hostile relations between the British at Aden and the neighbouring Arab inhabitants of the interior, and suggesting measures to bring food, forage and other supplies from the opposite coast of Africa; and the Government of Bombay’s suggestion that in the event of roads to Aden being closed a continuous forage supply from India could be established at minimal expenseA report by Assistant Surgeon Giraud, Professor of Chemistry, on the unsuitable quality of water from the ‘Ras Meil Well’ at Aden (f 140), and the conclusion of the Government of Bombay that unless the salt water springs in the well can be closed and only the sweet springs kept open, it should be abandonedThe report of a Committee composed of naval and engineer officers on the best site for the construction of a pier of obstruction in the Western Bay at Aden, forwarded to the Government of Bombay by Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden. Included with the report is a plan of the pier (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/5/447, f 148)The suggestion by Haines to accommodate ‘native’ Indian convicts, employed on the works at Aden, on vessels stationed off shore, and its rejection by Captain Sir Robert Oliver, Superintendent of the Indian Navy, who cites the probable high mortality of convicts confined under such arrangements, in addition to the lack of available ships and the excessive cost of converting vessels for that purpose (ff 152-153)Two detailed memoranda of Governor-General of India on the subject of the works of defence in progress at Aden (ff 157-166), and the requirement that Colonel C W Grant remain at Aden until their completionThe Government of India’s agreement to a proposition to employ Arab labourers upon the public works at Aden and instruction that the result of the experiment should be ‘carefully watched and reported to Government’ (f 176).The principal correspondent is the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (63 folios)
12. Turkish Arabia Affairs: Matters Relating to the Anglo-Persian War
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises one enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 16 dated 27 January 1857. The enclosure is also dated 27 January 1857.The enclosure comprises a despatch, dated 22 December 1856, from Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], for the Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, consisting of copies of his two recent despatches to Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, HM Ambassador at Constantinople [Istanbul], dated 10 and 18 December 1856.The papers cover and include the following:Kemball’s recent visit to Bussorah [Basra] and his opinion that the defences recently constructed by Persia [Iran] at Mohamerah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] need not concern the British as there are currently no signs of a Persian intention to disrupt communications in the regionConfirmation that Kemball has secured grain and cattle for fresh meat in expectation of the British expedition in the Persian GulfNotification that, in expectation of an attack in the region by the British, Sheikh Jaber, the principal chief of the Chaab [Banū Ka‘b] tribe [Shaikh Jābir bin Mirdāw al-Ka‘bī, Shaikh of Mohammerah], has approached HM Vice Consul at Bussorah, as well as Kemball, professing support of the British Government and offering his services, whilst at the same time having allegedly also approached the Ottoman Governor in case of a Turkish takeover of MohammerahKemball’s distrust of Sheikh Jaber and the tribes in the area, who he claims would ‘readily join what they believe to be the strongest party’ (f 257)A table entitled ‘Arab Tribes under Persian Authority’, detailing: names of tribes; names of shaikhs; total numbers of men; total numbers of horses, camels, sheep and cows; and any significant additional information (ff 258-259).Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)