Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:Image of a Canadair DC-4M
Argonauton a runway strip in Bahrain.Inscriptions:Below image, in pen: ‘Aurora (Argonaut) Bahrein’Below image, in pencil: ‘491’Physical description: Dimensions:54 x 78 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:‘491’Process:Silver gelatin print
Abstract: The file consists of correspondence, minutes and telegrams emanating from the Government of India; the India Office; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); and the Air Ministry, London. The papers concern negotiations with the Sheikh of Kalba [Sa‘īd bin Ḥamad Āl Qāsimī] over the use of Kalba as an emergency landing ground for aircraft, and the general approach to be adopted in such negotiations with the Arab rulers of the Persian Gulf littoral in future.The covering dates of the correspondence in this file are 1 October 1932 - 22 February 1933; the closing date in the overall date range is supplied by a note on the first item of correspondence (folio 2).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 19 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and appear in the top right corner of the recto page of each folio.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:Image of a Lockheed Constellation aircraft on a runway at Kuwait.Inscriptions:Below image, in pen: 'Constellation at Kuwait'Below image, in pencil: ‘498’Physical description: Dimensions:54 x 78 mmCondition:The image is in good condition.Foliation:‘498’Process:Silver gelatin print
Abstract: The file contains records of monthly payments of 400 rupees from the Political Agency, Bahrain, via the Residency Agent, Sharjah, to Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan [Shakhbūṭ bin Sulṭān Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi, on account of air facilities at Sir Bani Yas [Şīr Banī Yās] Island and at Abu Dhabi, for the period 13 November 1944 to 13 March 1948. The original receipts for the payments were to be sent to the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The papers consist of covering letters for the payments from the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Residency Agent, Sharjah (Jasim bin Muhammad) or the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC), Sharjah; letters from the Residency Agent, Sharjah (in Arabic, with English translations) or Political Officer, Trucial Coast confirming that payment had been made by the Residency Agent to Jafar Ali Mohammad Karim at Sharjah on behalf of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi; and copies of receipts in Arabic (with English translations) from Jafar Ali Mohammad.The date range gives the covering dates of the main items of correspondence. The last dated addition to the file is a Political Agency, Bahrain receipt stamp dated 31 March 1948 (folio 157).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 165; 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 1-164; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains records of payments to the Ruler of Kalba for air facilities, for the period 28 September 1936 to 27 December 1944.The papers consist of covering letters from the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Residency Agent, Sharjah forwarding monthly payments of 400 rupees 'for rent of site and pay of the guards'; letters in Arabic (with English translations) from the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and (from 1943) the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC) (Captain Maurice Patrick O'Connor Tandy) to the Political Agent, Bahrain confirming payment; copies of receipts in Arabic (with English translations) from Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan al Qasimi [Shaikh Khālid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī], Regent of Kalba; and some related correspondence. The original receipts were sent to the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The file also contains a single group of papers following the same format recording a payment to Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai for rent of commercial airbase, in accordance with the terms of the Dubai Civil Air Agreement, for the period 22 February to 22 March 1941, March 1941 (folios 176-178).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 341; 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 2-340; these numbers are written in a combination of pencil and ink (black and red), but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains records of payments made by the Political Agent, Bahrain, via the Residency Agent, Sharjah, the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC), and local intermediaries to the Ruler [Regent] of Kalba and other Trucial Coast rulers. The papers consist of covering letters in Arabic with English translations; receipts (also referred to as 'vouchers') in Arabic with English translations; and some related papers. The original receipts of payments to the Regent of Kalba were to be forwarded to the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The records cover:payments to Khalid bin Ahmed bin Sultan [Shaikh Khālid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī], Regent of Kalba, on account of air facilities at Kalba (rent of landing ground, and pay of guards) for the period October 1944 to May 1948;payments to Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], Ruler of Sharjah, under the headings 'personal subsidy', rent of aerodrome, and pay of guards and head-guards, for the period December 1947 to February 1949;payments to Shaikh Shakbut bin Zayid [Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi, on account of air facilities at Beni Yas [Şīr Banī Yās Island] and Abu Dhabi for the period October 1948 to March 1949;payments to Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai, for rent of Civil Marine Base at Dubai creek (Dubai Civil Air Agreement) for the period January 1948 to February 1949.The records of these payments are to be found in different parts of the file, and are not always in chronological order.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 346; 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 1-293 and ff 341-345, interrupted by a third sequence between ff 295-338; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains records of payments by the Political Agent, Bahrain to Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai, under the terms of the Dubai Commercial Air Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, signed on 22 July 1937, the Ruler of Dubai was to receive 440 rupees per month for 'pay of guards' for the seaplane base; a new five-year agreement was signed on 6 June 1938, by which the payment ('rent' for the base, including 'pay of guards etc') was increased to 940 rupees per month. The records cover payments for the period July 1937 - January 1945 inclusive. Payments were made through the Residency Agent, Sharjah; original receipts were to be forwarded to the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The papers include: covering letters for the payments, sent by the office of the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and (from 1943) the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC), Sharjah; letters in Arabic (with translations into English) from the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and (from 1943) the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC), Sharjah, confirming payment to the Ruler of Dubai; copies of receipts in Arabic (with English translations) issued by the Ruler of Dubai; and some related correspondence between the office of the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.There is also an apparently-misfiled group of papers following the same format, recording a payment to the Regent of Kalba (Khalid bin Ahmed [Shaikh Khālid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī]) for the period January-February 1941, dated March 1941 (ff 167-169).The title is taken from the front cover; there is also a similarly-worded title page within the volume, on folio 10, but with file reference 4/25.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 337; 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 2-235; these numbers are written in a combination of ink and 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 contains records of payments by the Political Agent, Bahrain to Shaikh Said bin Maktoom [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai, under the terms of the Dubai Commercial Air Agreement, 1938. Under the terms of the agreement, the Ruler of Dubai was to receive 940 rupees per month for 'rent of Civil Seaplane Base'. The records cover payments for the period November 1944 - March 1948 inclusive. Payments were made through the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (POTC), Sharjah; original receipts were to be forwarded to the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The papers include: covering letters for the payments, sent by the office of the Political Agent, Bahrain to the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and the Political Officer, Trucial Coast; letters in Arabic (with English translations) from the Residency Agent, Sharjah, and letters from the Political Officer, Trucial Coast, confirming payment to the Ruler of Dubai; and copies of receipts in Arabic (with English translations) issued by the Ruler of Dubai.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 167; 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 1-166; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file concerns the sending of remittances by the Political Agency, Bahrain to the British Agency, Sharjah as payment to the Rulers of Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Kalba, and Dubai for air facilities on the Trucial Coast.The file includes correspondence between staff of the Political Agency, Bahrain, and the British Agency, Sharjah; statements of payments made for air facilities on the Trucial Coast for the period April 1948 to September 1950; and associated correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; 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: The volume contains correspondence and other papers related to the establishment of an aerodrome at Bahrain, for the use of the British air transport operator Imperial Airways Limited. The main correspondents in the file are the Political Agent at Bahrain (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior until November 1932, Captain Percy Gordon Loch thereafter), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Fowle), and the Advisor for the Bahrain Government Charles Dalrymple-Belgrave. Other correspondents include representatives of the Royal Air Force (R.A.F.) and Imperial Airways Limited.Most of the papers in the file relate to the drawing up of an agreement between the Government of Bahrain and Imperial Airways, for the installation and use of an aerodrome in Bahrain. The first draft of the agreement, dated 31 August 1932, is included in the file (folios 9-13), and is followed by extensive correspondence where issues and revisions to specific articles are raised. These chiefly relate to the payment of customs duties on cargo travelling through Bahrain by air, and the use of aerodrome facilities by other, including foreign, operators, wireless facilities. Subsequent revisions of the agreement can also be found in the file (folios 39-41, 80-87, 101-07).The relative merits of landing strips at Manama and Muharraq in Bahrain are also discussed. Soil test analyses conducted by the R.A.F. suggest that the land at Muhurraq is better suited for larger aircraft (folio 142). A suitable gift for Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, to thank him for his co-operation in negotiations, is also discussed between government officials and representatives of Imperial Airways (folios 68, 139).Physical description: Foliation: The volume has been foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using uncircled numbers in the top-right corner of each recto page. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e.The following folios are fold-outs: 53, 96, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 144.
Abstract: The file contains copies of correspondence and other papers relating to the arrival in Bahrain in January 1947, of a survey party, who are touring the head of the Persian Gulf to assess the region’s aerodromes. The principal correspondents in the file are the Bahrain Political Agent, Captain Hugh Dunstan Lance, the Political Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay, Ludovic James Dunnett of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Eion Pelly Donaldson of the India Office.The first part of the file (ff 3-19) contains correspondence relating to arrangements for the arrival of the survey party, including notices of estimated arrival, and the arrangement of taxis for transportation, made between 12 December 1946, when notification was received of the survey party visit (f 1) and the arrival of the party around 29 January 1947. The second part of the file (ff 20-49) is a copy of the report, entitled ‘Ministry of Civil Aviation Technical Survey Party, Report on Baghdad, Basra, Shaibah [Sha’iba], Dhahran, Abadan and Bahrain’, issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation Planning Secretariat and dated 27 February 1947. The report focusses on each aerodrome in turn, with sections and appendices on: runway orientation and size; suitability of runways for aircraft of certain size; passenger accommodation; engineering (drainage, subsoil, bearing strength); meteorological departments; air traffic control; and radio communications. At the front of the report (f 21) is a summary of conclusions and recommendations for the route between Palestine and India, chiefly concerning an extension of the runway at Shaibah and long-term planning for a new civil aviation airport at Bahrain. The last part of the file (ff 50-55) contains correspondence sent after the issue of the report, and a meeting, held in London on 1 April 1947, to assess the report’s recommendations. A letter from the Donaldson to Hay, dated 17 April 1947 (f 50), discusses the case for a new airport at Hamala, south of Manama, Bahrain, with a suggestion that the Bahrain Government might contribute to the scheme by investing in approach roads and a hotel.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover on folio 1 and terminates at the back cover on folio 60; 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 mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-53; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They are located in the same position as the main sequence, except for some instances which are located in the verso.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to trading restrictions being placed upon the inhabitants of Al-Mahra [incorrectly written in some parts of the file as Manris; Al-Mahra is in present-day Yemen] and Socotra, in response to the authorities of Qishn refusing the British Government permission to construct an aircraft landing ground in their territory. A telegram (f 3) followed by a letter (ff 5-7) from the (Officiating) Chief Commissioner at Aden, Lieutenant-Colonel Morice Challoner Lake, both dated 4 February 1933, announce the imposition of the trading restrictions. The letter gives further details of the efforts of Royal Air Force representatives to establish a landing ground at Qishn, the resistance met from authorities, and the threats made against trading facilities for the inhabitants of Mahra and Socotra.A further telegram (f 9) from Lake to the Political Resident announces that the Qishn authorities have withdrawn opposition to the landing ground, resulting in the lifting of trade restrictions. There is a truncated note at the end of the file (f 11) which notes that the Political Agent discussed the matter of trade between Al-Mahra/Socrata and Bahrain with the Adviser [to the Government of Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave], who notes that a number of Bahrain merchants trade at Socotra and that poor men from the Mahri coast and Socotra come to Bahrain for the pearling season.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover on folio 1 and terminates at the back cover on folio 12; 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 2-11; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.