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: This secret report was compiled on 28 June 1909 by David W Hood, to identify spots suitable for the establishment of sea-marks in the Persian Gulf, providing estimated costs for construction and maintenance of light houses and buoys in:Muscat [Oman] (with sketch map on f 120);Little Quoin [Oman] (with sketch map on f 121 and 122);Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas, Iran] (with sketch map of Kishm [Qeshm] on f 123);Jezirat Tanb [Oman] (with sketch map on f 124);Debai [Dubai, UAE];Lingah [Bandar Lengeh, Iran];Shaikh Shuaib (with sketch map on f 125);Ras al Mutaf [Iran];Bushire;Shat al Arab [Shatt al-Arab, Iraq];Kubbar Island [Kuwait] (with sketch map on f 126);Ras al Arz [Kuwait] (with sketch map on f 127);Bahrein (with sketch map of Fasht ad Dibal on f 128).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f.111, and terminates at f.128, since 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 also present in the bottom right-hand corner of the recto of each folio. These numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: This section of the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: A report of a committee of enquiry on the lighting and buoyage of the Persian Gulf, 1909.The report discusses the existing lighting facilities in the Gulf (at Kuwait and Fao) and the details of a proposed scheme to construct a comprehensive network of lights at the following locations: Muscat, Musandam, Bunder Abbas, Tanb, Lingah, Shaikh Shuaib, Ras Al Mutaf, Bushire, Shatt Al Arab Bar, Koweit [Kuwait], Bahrein [Bahrain] and Debai [Dubai].The members of the committee are listed as follows:Major Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.Mr. D W Hood, A.M. Inst. C.E., Trinity House.Commander S Litchfield, R.N., H.M.S "Sphinx".Commander W G Beauchamp, R.I.M., in charge of the Marine Survey of India.The report includes an appendix (folio 8-9v) entitled 'Correspondence Regarding Buoys of the British India Steam Navigation Company'.Physical description: Condition: A report bound with string.Foliation: The file's 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. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.Pagination: An original printed pagination sequence is also present in the file.
Abstract: This file is a memorandum written by John Edward Ferard of the India Office's Political Department regarding the development and improvement of lighting and buoyage facilities in the Persian Gulf (including the installation of lighthouses, lighted buoys and dioptric lanterns).The memorandum is a continuation of a earlier memorandum that was produced on 28 December 1911 (IOR/L/PS/18/B187) and provides an update of developments that had taken place since the previous memorandum was written.Physical description: Condition: the file is contained within a bound volume that contains several other reports on a number of topics.Description: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at a loose plastic sheet containing the binding; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Correspondence concerning notices to mariners including:Position, numbering and colour of beacons and light buoys on approaches to various waterways and ports including the Shatt al-Arab waterway, Ras al Tannura, Bahrain.Replacement of light beacons.Renumbering of jetties at Abadan and Bawarda.Location of wrecks of barges, dhows and ships.Change in anchorage berths.Revised procedure for the noting of marine protests (ff. 185-186).Prohibited anchorage in approaches to Bombay (f. 226).Correspondents include Port Officer, Basrah [Basra]; Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; Political Agent, Bahrain; Californian Arabian Standard Oil Company [CASOC]; Gray, Mackenzie and Company; K S Yusuf bin Ahmad Kanoo.Physical description: This file originally had three foliation sequences: one that ran from 1 to 186; one that began later in the file on 151 and ran until 179; and another that followed the second sequence, running from 131 to 133. In these sequences some of the pages have been paginated, meaning that some numbers in the sequence are missing. The most complete of these foliation sequences, which is the first one, has been extended to provide a complete sequence. It is circled in pencil in the top right corner of the recto of each folio, and runs from 1 to 258, ending on the inside of the back cover of the file. This is the sequence that should be used for referencing. Foliation errors: f.34 is followed by f.34A, f.84 is followed by f.84A, f.98 is followed by f.98A, f.108 is followed by f.108A, f.117 is followed by f.117A, f.171 is followed by f.171A, f.189 is followed by f.189A. There is no f.87, f.158, f.160, or f.162.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the Adviser to the Government at Bahrain, Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, and the Port Directorate at Basrah, regarding manteineance of the light buoys at Bahrais between 1933 and 1948, and the plan to replace them with permanent beacons in 1938. The file also contains documents on lights and buoys at Dubai.There are some letters in Arabic, to and from Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain.Physical description: The main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 282; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An older foliation sequence is also present in parallel to the main sequence between ff. 2-282. This sequence has a number of mistakes and inconsistencies, so it has therefore been replaced with the above mentioned sequence; these numbers have been crossed out to prevent confusion with the replacement foliation. A third foliation sequence is present in the index section at the back of the file between ff. 252-270; these numbers are also written in pencil, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Circled index numbers in coloured crayon can also be found throughout the file; they should not be confused with foliation numbers.
Abstract: The file contains information provided by the Political Agent, Kuwait in response to military and naval intelligence queries from the Government of India; Army Headquarters India; the Intelligence Officer, Bushire; the Commander in Chief, East Indies Squadron, and other military and naval officials; and correspondence with the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf concerning marine intelligence. The form 'Koweit' is generally employed in the papers.The papers include: 'Notes on Kowiet Harbour', 1907 (folios 2-24); information on the Turkish Army, e.g. return of troop numbers of Turkish VI Army Corps, 1907 (folios 31-33), and press cuttings dated 1911, concerning the reorganisation of the Turkish Army (folios 63-65); information for a proposed naval intelligence book about the Persian Gulf, e.g. information on the fort at Fao (folios 34-37); information for inclusion in maps and route books of the area; a draft report entitled 'Note on Capt Shakespear's tour via As-Safa, Al-Hafar, Al-Batin & back to Kowiet', prepared by Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear (Political Agent, Kuwait), 1910 (folios 44-60); requests for information for inclusion in the
Gazetteer of Arabia, e.g. information on types of native boat, 1913 (folios 83-86), and a request for the precise location in which Shakespear was killed, 1916 (folio 105); and correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf concerning the sharing of marine intelligence (e.g lighting and buoying arrangements) with foreign consular representatives and local officials, 1914 (folios 94-104).The Arabic language content of the papers consists of Arabic forms (with English transliterations), forming part of a glossary of terms between folios 12-19 of 'Notes on Koweit Harbour'.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 107; 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 2-106; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file contains two memorandums concerning lighting and buoyage in the Persian Gulf, the details of which are as follows:1) B. 187. Memorandum on Lighting and Buoyage of the Persian Gulf (folios 1-4).This memorandum has four appendices (folios 5-7):I) Extract from Report of a committee of Enquiry on the Lighting and Buoyage of the Persian Gulf, dated 29 April 1909 - Summary of Proposed Lights and Buoys (folio 5);II) Extract from Supplementary Report by Mr. D W Hood, dated 28 June 1909 (folios 5v-6v);III) Statement of Lights enclosed in letter of India Office to Foreign Office, 15 September 1911 (folio 6v)IV) List of Buoys enclosed in India Office letter to Foreign Office, 18 November 1911 (folio 7).2) B. 187a. Second Memorandum on the Lighting and Buoyage of the Persian Gulf, in continuation of the Memorandum, dated the 28th December 1911, B 187 (folios 8-9).Physical description: Condition: Loose folios (previously bound) in a folder.Foliation: The file's foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at a loose melinex sheet containing the binding; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.Pagination: Two typed pagination sequences are also present; one for B187, and another for B187a.
Abstract: The file concerns a proposed levy for light dues at Bahrain on ships belonging to the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO). The measure was proposed by the Government of India in 1936, and further pressure was applied by the Persian Gulf Lighting Service Advisory Committee in 1940. The latter claim was said to have been instigated by the British India Steam Navigation Company Limited, which paid dues on 'every one of their steamers that visits Bahrain, whereas a very large number of tankers with a far greater tonnage escape scot-free' (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, 12 April 1940, folios 204-210).The negotiations over the dues extended to include contributions to the work of the Persian Gulf Lighting Service as a whole, and also included the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC, later the Arabian American Oil Company). By 1946 it was said that negotiations had been going on for 'two or three years without any appreciable result' (folio 10).The papers include correspondence from the India Office; the Foreign Office; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Government of India; and the oil companies involved, particularly their representative, Hamilton R Ballantyne.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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 289; 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 concerns the establishment of a light for shipping (and rejected proposals for an aero-maritime beacon) on Kubber Island (also referred to as Kubbar Island), in the approaches to Kuwait. The file contains correspondence from the Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Indian Navy, Bombay; and from the Government of India, sanctioning the costs of the light.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 first folio 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.
Abstract: The file concerns an approach to the India Office from the California Arabian Standard Oil Company Limited (CASOC), for assistance with the buoying of the channel leading to the company's chosen anchorage at Ras Tanura [Ra’s Tannūrah]. The request is contained in correspondence from the company's representative, Hamilton R Ballantyne, of Ballantyne and Company, London.The papers show that the Government of India and other British Government departments agreed to the request. The laying and maintenance of the buoys was to be undertaken by the Port Director, Basra, who would also employ a ship to carry out the work.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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio 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.
Abstract: This file contains lists of light dues (charges levied on ships for the maintenance of lighthouses and other navigation aids) owed by Admiralty vessels for entering or leaving the Shatt al-Arab. In addition to these lists, the file contains related correspondence between British officials in Britain and India, primarily from the Admiralty, the Government of India's Department of Commerce and the Political Department of the India Office.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 inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 183; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.