Abstract: The file comprises correspondence received by the Political Agency relating to the arrival and departure of foreign vessels at Bahrain. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Bahrain shipping agent Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo [Yūsuf bin Aḥmad Kānū]; representatives of the Government of Bahrain; representatives of the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited.The file includes:correspondence dated 1933 relating to an enquiry from the Political Resident as to the whereabouts of the SS
City of Dundee, after its departure from Bahrain in October 1932 (ff 2-5);correspondence dated 1934 relating to a dispute raised by the Bahrain importer Abdulaziz Ali Al Bassam, over landing rates for cement at Bahrain (ff 6-10);miscellaneous correspondence dated 1935-1938 relating to foreign vessels calling at Bahrain (ff 11-16);letters from Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo, dated 1946 to 1948, reporting the arrival and departure of vessels at Bahrain, and the nature of their cargo (ff 17-50).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 56; 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 2-21; 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 comprises copies of instructions to British Consuls, in the form of letters, printed circulars, notices and forms, issued by the Ministry of Transport (or the Ministry of War Transport during the Second World War) and relating to merchant shipping, including regulations and government provisions for merchant seamen.Subjects covered include:instructions dated December 1932, covering use of communications, including wireless telegraphy (ff 7-10) and radar training (f 67);Circular No. 1681, entitled
Instructions to Consuls (Merchant shipping and seamen), dated August 1931 (ff 11-19);various sets of instructions and forms relating to the wellbeing of merchant seamen, covering marine casualties, seamen in distress, payment of necessities for sick and injured seamen, compensation for the loss of effects; repatriation of shipwrecked or discharged seamen;papers covering national insurance, pensions and injuries insurance for merchant seamen (ff 40-45, ff 87-89);instructions covering ‘dominion and colonial seamen’ (f 32, ff 118-120), including the issue of discharge books for ‘Chinese seamen’ at Hongkong [Hong Kong] (f 72), and settlement of wages for repatriated seamen from India (f 94);instructions relating to wages for merchant seamen, covering income tax payments, and income tax deduction tables for the years 1946 to 1948 (ff 78-79, ff 49-52, ff 62-65), advances of wages for seamen either shipwrecked or discharged abroad (f 82);electoral registration papers, issued under the Representation of the People Act (1948), including application forms for treatment as an absent voter for an indefinite period, and application for appointment by proxy (ff 26-28);instructions related to wartime and post-war events, including: ships registered at ports in Palestine, dated 1948 (f 68); war graves, dated 1947 (f 73), termination of wartime agreements, dated 1946 (f 80), and releases from the merchant navy, dated 1945 and 1946 (f 83, f 85, ff 92-93).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 136; 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 contains correspondence and papers relating both to Japan’s anticipated entry into the Second World War, and eventual entry in the wake of the Japanese Navy’s attack on the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. Correspondents in the file include the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior), and representatives from the Commerce and Foreign Departments of the Government of India.The file includes:correspondence dated 1940, prompted by the prospect of war with Japan, including: a telegram from the Foreign Department of the Government of India, dated 17 August 1940, making preparations for the possibility of war with Japan, with instructions for what action should be taken in relation to Japanese commercial interests and merchant shipping (f 3); a draft letter from the Political Agent at Bahrain to the rulers of the Trucial Coast states and Qatar (f 9);correspondence from December 1941 onwards, relating to the declaration of war on Japan, including: a telegram from the Secretary of State for India, originally dated 10 April 1941, containing instructions for the replacement of ‘precautionary plans’ with relation to Japan, in the event of war (ff 19-21); a copy of a letter (English and Arabic) to the rulers of the states of the Trucial Coast and Japan, dated 10 December 1941, informing them of the state of war now existing between Japan and Britain, and instructing them to cooperate in the same manner as undertaken with regard to German interests (ff 25-26); correspondence between the Political Agent, Eastern Bank and Director of Customs at Bahrain, ascertaining what Japanese goods are currently held in Bahrain (ff 31-33, f 40); letters (forwarded by the Residency Agent at Sharjah) in Arabic original and English translation from: Shaikh Shakbut bin Sultan bin Zaid [Shakhbūṭ bin Sulṭān Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi; Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum [Sa‘id bin Maktum Āl Maktum], Ruler of Dubai; Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], Ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Rashid bin Humaid [Rashid bin Humayd Al Nu’aymi], Ruler of Ajman; Shaikh Ahmad bin Rashid [Aḥmad bin Rashid Al Mu’alla], Ruler of Umm al Qaiwain [Umm al-Qaywayn]; Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad, Regent of Kalba; Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qāsimī], Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah [Ra’s al-Khaymah], all of which are responses to the Political Agent’s earlier letter (ff 42-59); a copy of a Government of Bahrain notice, dated 14 December 1941, announcing the entry into the war of Japan, and controls on Japanese goods and trade (f 63).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 68; 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 2-15; 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 comprises copies of correspondence and reports relating to the sinking by an enemy (presumed Japanese) submarine of two dhows, belonging to Kuwait and Qatar, in the Indian Ocean, including: a copy of a letter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay) to the Secretary of State for India, dated 16 May 1942, concerning compensation for loss by enemy action, and reporting of the two lost dhows (ff 2-3); a copy of a report, dated 16 April 1942, sent by the Assistant Collector of Salt Revenues at Camp Malvan to the Staff Officer (Intelligence) at Bombay, reporting that thirty-five crewmen had arrived from one of the sunk vessels at Malvan, and enclosing a testimony of the attack and sinking by one of the crewmen (f 6).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 9; 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 2-8; 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 copies of correspondence concerning the presence of United States (US) merchant seamen at Bahrain, in particular questions of facilities for and supervision of US crews while on shore leave, and jurisdiction of US citizens at Bahrain.The first part of the file contains correspondence dated June 1944 from the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf (Commodore John Montagu Howson) and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Major Tom Hickinbotham), responding to concerns raised by US naval officials at Bahrain (in light of the increasing frequency of US tanker visits to the islands) over the lack of facilities for US seamen at Bahrain, as well as pilfering from US vessels being unloaded by Gray Mackenzie & Co. (ff 2-12).The second part of the file consists of copies of correspondence exchanged between India Office and Foreign Office officials in London during July to September 1944, in response to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf’s recommendations for canteen facilities at Sitrah Island for US seamen, with the proviso that US seamen do not attempt to enter the towns of Manama or Muharraq. This correspondence also discusses a request from the US Department of State (relayed through the US Embassy in London, f 18) for the appointment of a non-American with legal qualifications to act as a judge over US citizens in Bahrain; a request that, in the eyes of India and Foreign Office officials, challenges Britain’s right of jurisdiction over all foreigners at Bahrain (ff 13-24).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 26; 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 2-22; 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 copies of correspondence, chiefly sent from either the Government of India or the Ministry of Economic Warfare, including: official circulars, notices, instructions, and other papers, relating to the implementation of the Navicert system to Iraqi and Iranian ports in the Gulf, the ports of the Gulf littoral, and the wider region, as a means of controlling sea-borne trade during the war. The changing geopolitical circumstances of the Second World War, in particular the occupation of countries by others, and entry into and exit from the War by various countries, resulted in the frequent issue of revisions to the circulars, notices and instructions produced by the Government.The file includes:correspondence dated 1940 relating to the compulsory implementation of the Navicert system for all shipping approaching Europe (ff 9-11);correspondence dated March 1941 relating to the introduction of the Navicert system in the Persian Gulf (ff 18-35);various copies of Government circulars and notices throughout the file: ships war trade lists; insurance with enemy companies; enemy trading;copies of instructions on the operation of the Navicert system for ships sailing to and from the Persian Gulf (ff 60-63, ff 242-245);copies of instructions to consular officers for operating the Navicert system (ff 69-75, ff 90-110);copies of ship Navicert regulations (ff 238-240, ff 254-267);in the file notes, discussion between the Political Agent and Agency staff on the application of Navicert regulations in Bahrain and the Persian Gulf (ff 293-305).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 306; 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 2-292 and between ff 293-304; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file comprises copies of correspondence, extracts of Government reports and other papers relating to the drawing up of defence policies for the various states in the Persian Gulf, in anticipation of the start of a global war. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); representatives of RAF Air Headquarters at Habbaniyah in Iraq (including Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal John Hugh Samuel Tyssen); various representatives of the Government of India and India Office.The file includes:a letter from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the India Office, dated 18 January 1938 enclosing a ‘Note on the Defence of the Persian Gulf in the Event of a Major War’, which contains: the Resident’s assessments of the strategic importance of the Gulf; details of communications and the air route in the Gulf; hypothetical war situations (attacks, hostile countries); British interests in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the Trucial Coast and Muscat (ff 13-36);correspondence dated December 1938 to January 1939 relating to a visit to the Persian Gulf of military officials, for the assessment of the region’s defence requirements and proposed defence schemes, including recommendations from a Major Price of the need for a volunteer defence force at Bahrain, and the posting of a permanent adjutant to Bahrain (ff 68-73);correspondence dated December 1938 to March 1939 concerning an assessment of maritime trade in the Gulf during wartime, including a copy of a questionnaire issued by the Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies Station (ff 81-82), with a reply and completed questionnaire from the Political Agent at Bahrain (ff 90-94);correspondence dated April to July 1939 concerning ‘Appreciations’ of defence schemes for Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah and Dibai [Dubai], including: extracts from a report issued by the Oversea Defence Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence (ff 112-115); and approval from the Government of India of the Persian Gulf defence schemes, subject to remarks made in an enclosed note from the Chief of the General Staff of India (ff 117-118).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 126; 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 2-125; 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 contains notes of protest presented by merchants and ship owners to the Political Agency in Bahrain. Most of them pertain to cargo that was either damaged or destroyed between ports, at sea.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at inside back cover with 54; 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 2-28; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file concerns the publication in Bahrain of
The Merchant Shipping (Helm Orders) Order, 1935. The order, issued by the Foreign Office, extended the Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act, 1932 to British-registered ships in any country in which His Majesty had jurisdiction.The closing date in the date range is supplied by an entry in the notes on folio 7.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 at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present between ff 4-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled
Abstract: Three letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, sent from Bussora and dated 1 May 1781, covers subjects including:Reports received from Bushire [Bushehr] concerning the movements of English ships and civil conflict in Muscat, including a report that a force from Julphar [Ra’s al-Khaymah] is planning to interveneReports received from India regarding the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783]An intercepted Dutch letter relaying news of the rupture in relations with Britain to Dutch colonies in IndiaPeace between the Basha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā‘il tribe] and Latouche’s hopes that this will increase the trade and security of BussoraRobberies allegedly connected to the Chaub [Banū Ka‘b].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The second letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 May 1781, covers subjects including:The arrival in Bussora of the merchants Eyles Irwin and John Richmond Smyth and arrangements for their passage to IndiaThe transit via Bussora of dispatches from London to IndiaThe movements of other travellers, including suspected French and Dutch agents.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The third letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 June 1781, covers subjects including:Arrangements for the passage of various East India Company employees from Bussora towards India and related movements of ships in the GulfThe activities of the Basha, including his order of gallivat ships from Bombay [Mumbai] and reinforcement of BussoraNews of the capture of Dutch colonies in the Caribbean, which Latouche has forwarded to BombayNews from Bombay regarding English shipsIntelligence from Madras [Chennai] regarding the movement of French ships and the conflict [Second Anglo-Mysore War, 1780-1784] with Heyder Ally [Ḥaydar ‘Alī, Ruler of Mysore].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/12.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, dated 19 February 1781, covers subjects including:The movements of the ship
Morning Star, including consignments of textiles and instructions from Bombay [Mumbai] regarding secure arrangements for the transit of mail.The arrival from France of a scientist, M Saury, seeking letters of recommendation and passage to India.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/1.The second letter, dated 22 February 1781, concerns arrangements for the transit of mail.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, dated 23 January 1781, forwards intelligence received from India, Muscat, and Aleppo. Subjects covered include:Conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783] around Basseen [Vasai] and the hostility of Hayder Ali [Ḥaydar ‘Alī, Ruler of Mysore]Reports of the seizure of English ships in the Indian Ocean by French vessels, and in the Mediterranean by the French and Spanish fleetDifficulties in communicating with AleppoThe Basha’s [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] preference for the construction of his own gallivat ships to protect Bussora’s trade rather than relying on loaned ships from the East India CompanyThe dispatch of arms to the Basha to combat the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā’il tribe].The second letter, dated 19 February 1781, covers subjects including:The movements of the ship
Morning Star, including consignments of textiles and instructions from Bombay [Mumbai] regarding secure arrangements for the transit of mail.The arrival from France of a scientist, M Saury, seeking letters of recommendation and passage to India.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/2.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)