1. 'Lighting and Buoying of the Persian Gulf, 1908-1928'

Description:

Abstract: Document providing a history of lighting and buoying of the Persian Gulf.Covering:first reconstruction: 1909-14 – assessment, programme of reconstruction; obstructive activities of the Turkish authorities, detail of buoys and lighthouses placed, and parts of the programme not completed;expansion: 1914-25 – including extensions to the original programme, and an overhaul of beacons;administration and finance – including light dues, responsibility for the cost of the service, the Government of India's role in administration and maintenance, and the creation of a Lighting and Buoying Fund;relations with Persia – listing occasions during the British management of the Lighting and Buoying Service when His Majesty's Government came into collision with the Persian Government;conclusions.It also includes an appendix listing lights, buoys, and beacons present at the time of writing (1928).Written by M J Clauson of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 49, and terminates at f 51, 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.

2. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, April 28. 1857.’

Description:

Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of official secret letters received from the Governor General of India in Council (21 March 1857, Number 14; 24 March 1857, Number 15; 27 March 1857, Number 73; 30 March 1857, Number 74; 31 March 1857, Numbers 74-76; 2 April 1857, Numbers 77-79; and 17 April, unnumbered).The summaries mostly concern the Punjab and the ‘Persian Expedition’ [Anglo-Persian War]. They include summaries of letters from the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner [presumably of the Punjab], regarding: the request of Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Emir of Afghanistan] that Ruheemdad and his followers be forgiven and their lands restored; the conduct of the Bozdar Tribe on the frontier of the Dera Ghazee Khan [Dera Ghazi Khan] district, and the attack against them by British troops; and the state of the border in the Dera Ishmael Khan [Dera Ismail Khan] district, and ‘retributive measures’ against the Mahsood [?] Wuzeerees [Mahsud Waziris].They also include: news from Cabool [Kabul]; news from Sir James Outram regarding Bushire, including the requirement for reinforcements of troops at Bushire; a minute by the Governor General regarding the delay in troops being sent to Bushire due to the lack of available steam vessels, and his opinions on Outram’s views as to the enlistment of Persian tribes by the British in the War; and summaries of letters from Perim, mostly regarding the best site for a lighthouse on the island.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)

3. 'Marine Minutes – Light Ships &c 1864 to 1866 Vol 1'

Description:

Abstract: The Minutes of the Council of India on miscellaneous marine matters. Correspondence discusses the following topics:Cost of maintenance of light vessel at Little Basses Rocks and light dues collectedStern wheel steamersSubscription to funds of the Strangers' Home for AsiaticsStores and fittings for troop shipsMeteorological measurements submitted from BombayDirections for approaching Kurrachee [Karachi] HarbourMedical comforts for troopshipsErection of lighthouses in the Red Sea.The volume includes a map (folio 84) of the Indian Ocean and a Chart of the Red Sea (folio 335). Also included is the Annual Report (1860) of the Strangers' Home for Asiatics, Africans and South Sea Islanders (ff 137-150) and a booklet entitled 'Why Not Render the Red and Indian Sea as Secure for Passengers, Mails etc as the Seas of Great Britain' by Henry Gribble, Commander, HCS.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 395; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Several additional pagination and foliation sequences are present intermittently throughout the volume.

4. 'Memorandum by Lieutenant-General J. W. Schneider, C.B.'

Description:

Abstract: The file consists of a memorandum from Sir John William Schneider, Politcal Resident at Aden, on British interests in Socotra.It includes opinions on Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchener's misapprehensions with regards to British influence at Socotra [Suquṭrā]; discusses the treaty or agreement concluded in 1876 which bound the Sultan Ali Bin Abdulla El-Alfreer and his successors, and the necessity of acquiring certain rights over the island and its dependencies. It also notes the need for the construction and maintenance of a lighthouse at Cape Gardafui or Fas Hufoon; and raises the question of fortifying the island of Perim [Jazīrat Mayyūn] against attacks from the tribes on the African and Arabian coasts, and to protect the lighthouse.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 74, and terminates at f 74, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

5. 'File 9/20 Light House at Rass-al-Hadd and Ras-al-Junaiz'

Description:

Abstract: Correspondence concerning a preliminary survey of Ras al-Hadd and Ras al-Junaiz as potential lighthouse sites. The papers mostly cover the effort to obtain permission for the surveys from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman. Correspondence comes from: the Political Agent, Muscat; Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Port Directorate, Basrah; Basil Woods Ballard, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Muscat; and Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat and Oman. The survey is carried out by HMS Nearchus.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.

6. 'File 9/25 Naval & Shipping: Coastal Navigation & Lights'

Description:

Abstract: Correspondence concerning a proposal for a lighthouse to be erected at Ras al-Hadd. The proposal is made by Major Claude Edward Urquhart Bremner, Political Agent, Muscat, and forwarded to the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf by the Political Resident, Bushire.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 8; 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 3-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

7. Steam Navigation to Internal and External Communications of India, Volume 8

Description:

Abstract: Papers and correspondence relating to the journals and diaries of explorations in the area of the Arabian Peninsula and surrounding waters in the context of improving navigation and communications between England and India.A list of contents is given on folio 10:'Captain Mark Wood's Narrative of his Overland journey, 1779-1780' (ff 12-55)'Mr R. Scott's Letter on the Passage over the Isthmus of Suez, and project of a new route to India, 1780' (ff 56-84)'Mr D. Talamas: correspondence relative to compensation for carrying overland Dispatches, 1783' (ff 85-94)'Lieut S. Hunter's Narrative of his Overland Journey with Dispatches, and documents connected with his expences, 1792' (ff 95-111)'Correspondence between the Court and Indian Governments on Deficiency of Intelligence, 1785 to 1803' (ff 112-129)'Fragment of a Narrative on an Overland journey to India' (ff 130-138)'Captain J. Wainwright Remarks on the navigation of the Persian Gulph, 1809-1810' (ff 139-166)'Captn Sadler's Diary of his Mysion to Arabia, 1819-20' (ff 167-339)'Captn Bedford's Journals of the Survey of the Burrampooter River, 1824-1825' (ff 340-423)'Lieutenant Wellsted's Memoir regarding the Red Sea and Steam Navigation between Europe and India, 1832' (ff 424-539)'Lieut. Wybards's Journal of an Excursion into Arabia' (ff 540-565)'Memoir on the Arab Tribes on the Banks of the Euphrates and Tigris' (ff 566-584).The volume also includes a sketch map (folio 585v): 'A Map of the Oases of El Hasa'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 599; 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, present between ff 4-95, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: The file also contains an original printed pagination sequence which runs in parallel between ff 14-586 and additional intermittent pagination sequences which are written in pencil, but are not circled.The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 587-598, which have not been digitised.

8. Ext 545/42 'Lighthouse tender "Nearchus" at Basra'

Description:

Abstract: The file contains a letter between E Surén, London, and the Under-Secretary General for India. Surén was requesting for plans of the lighthouse tender Nearchusat Basra, which were not available.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 5; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

9. Aden Affairs

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 23 dated 2 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 29 November 1855-2 April 1856.The primary correspondents are Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan, Political Resident and Commandant, Aden; and the Secretary to the Government, Bombay. The item also includes: Resolutions of the Board; minutes of the Governor and President in Council; and minutes of the members in Council.The papers chiefly cover the following matters:Intelligence (ff 412-415) conveying: the departure of the force of the Asseer [‘Asīr, also spelled Aseer in this item] tribe from Yemen, following an outbreak of cholera which has purportedly killed between 3,000 and 15,000, in camp and on their return home; and the destruction of the town of Zaidiah [Zaidiyyah?], and alleged atrocities committed on its inhabitants, merchants and Banians [Banyans, Indian merchants], by soldiers who had originally been sent by the Governor of Yemen to burn the houses outside the town after hearing that the Asseer had arrived thereUncertainty regarding the role and involvement of the prisoner ‘Mahomed Ali’ (recently brought to Aden) in the party that attacked Lieutenant Richard Burton’s Somali Expedition; Coghlan’s opinion that the arrest and the 150 deaths caused by a conflict between two branches of the Habr Owel [Habr Awwal] tribe over the prisoner’s culpability, is sufficient to end the blockade; Coghlan’s belief that he can secure the Habr Owel’s agreement to his terms for ending the blockade, including the abolition of slavery, and the concurrence of the Board providing that ‘ample reparation’ is ‘demanded from and conceded by the Habr Owel’ (f 419); and agreement by the Governor and members in Council that the man said to be ‘the actual murderer of poor Lieutenant Stroyan’ (f 420), should still be pursuedThe situation regarding the slave trade on the ‘non-Persian’ side of the Red Sea, including Coghlan’s: statement that he is unable to provide an update due to the withdrawal for other purposes of vessels which would otherwise have toured the ports, and that the majority of the trade continues in places under the government of the Ottoman Porte, despite the recent Imperial Firman abolishing it; and belief that the exportation of enslaved persons from Africa into Arabia could be stopped if he was granted sufficient powers of search and detention by the [Ottoman] Turkish authorities with regard to Turkish vessels and Turkish ports, as well as an adequate naval force at AdenViews of Coghlan and the Government of Bombay on the desirability of establishing a lighthouse on the island of Perim [also known as Mayyun], notably: that it would command the entrance to the Red Sea and ‘cut off the slave vessels which ply between Zailah and Tajourra [Zeila and Tadjoura] and the various ports of Yemen’ (f 429); that it would command the straits of Babelmandeb [Bab-el-Mandeb] and therefore be of major strategic importance should ‘Mr de Lesseps [Ferdinand de Lesseps] succeed in… cutting a ship canal through the Isthmus of Suez’ (f 432); that it would be of commercial and nautical benefit for steamers sailing new routes from Suez; and that it would probably become a telegraphic station. Also included are Coghlan’s views on fortification of the lighthouse and the supply of fresh water, and his intention to survey the island providing he has a vessel and assistance from the Bombay Marine Department.Physical description: 1 item (32 folios)

10. Coll 1/42 'Aden. Changes in civil administration in the event of separation from India: lighthouses'

Description:

Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the Aden Chief Commissioner (Bernard Reilly), the India Office, and the Government of India Department of Commerce, regarding the administration of lighthouses and related dues.The correspondence concerns the lighthouses at Aden and Perim: the Elephant's Back Light and Ras Marshag Light, maintained by the Aden Port Trust; and the High Light and Half Point Light, maintained by the Government of India. The collection of light dues is also discussed.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 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

11. Coll 6/26 'Hejaz: Jedda Lighthouse and Harbour'

Description:

Abstract: This file discusses plans for the construction of a lighthouse near Jeddah harbour. It includes the following principal correspondents:The British Agent and Consul at Jeddah (Reader William Bullard, succeeded by Hugh Stonehewer Bird).The British Vice-Consul at Jeddah (Stanley R Jordan).His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires to Jeddah (Albert Spencer Calvert).His Majesty's Minister at Jeddah (Sir Andrew Ryan).Officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, the Board of Trade's Mercantile Marine Department, the Admiralty, and the Corporation of Trinity House.Agents and representatives of various shipping companies and associations, including the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company Limited, the Persian Gulf Steam Navigation Company Limited, Alfred Holt and Company, the UK Chamber of Shipping, and the Liverpool Steam Ship Owners' Association.The correspondence discusses the following:The condition of an existing beacon on the Mismari Reef, near Jeddah harbour.Attempts made by the British Agent and Consul at Jeddah (Reader William Bullard) to persuade King Hussein [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] to agree to the construction of a lighthouse close to Jeddah harbour.Investigations into whether the various reefs cited as suitable locations for the proposed lighthouse are within King Hussein's territorial waters or not.Ownership of the Jeddah-Port Sudan cable.Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd's] reported willingness to meet the expenses for the construction of the proposed lighthouse, following his deposition of King Hussein (later in the correspondence it is suggested that Ibn Saud had been misunderstood, since it is reported that he would not be willing to fund the construction of the lighthouse).Details regarding the requirements for the proposed lighthouse (e.g. which kinds of lights are most suitable) and the overall cost of construction.A report by the Commander of HMS Endeavour, S A Geary Hill, regarding the most suitable location for the proposed lighthouse.Difficulties encountered in appointing an engineer to survey the reefs near Jeddah harbour.Reports that the Saudi Government intends to increase tonnage dues at the port of Jeddah.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 commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 160; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

12. Coll 30/12 'Persian Gulf: Lighting & Buoying, Lights Advisory Committee: Constitution'

Description:

Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding the composition of the Persian Gulf Lights Advisory Committee. Much of the correspondence in the file concerns the desire of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company to be formally represented on the committee.The correspondence is primarily between British Government and Royal Navy officials from a number of different departments, but the file also contains a limited amount of correspondence with officials from oil companies and with the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom in London.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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 45; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.