Abstract: Correspondence, timetables and other papers relating to the activities of the shipping agent Gray, Mackenzie & Company, in Bahrain, the Persian Gulf and wider Middle East region. Correspondence and papers relating to other transport operators are also included in the file: Imperial Airways (ff 18-23); Nairn Transport Company (f 13).Papers issued under a number of different company names or letterheads are stamped ‘Gray Mackenzie & Co. Ltd.’ These include: the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited (dissolved in 1937 and replaced by Gray, Mackenzie & Company); Mackinnon Mackenzie & Company; and the British India Steam Navigation Company Limited (BISNC).Amongst the routine correspondence (accounts, travel and transport arrangements, changes in office personnel), the file also includes:details, including timetables, of steamer services operated in the Persian Gulf and wider region by Gray, Mackenzie & Company, BISNC, Peninsular and Oriental (P&O);a photographic postcard of the BISNC vessel
Dwarka(f 57);a brochure for the new BISNC vessels
Dumraand
Dwarka(f 73), with photographs of the vessel’s first- and second-class facilities;baggage labels, issued in May 1948 by BISNC to employees of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (f 77-78).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 128; 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 3-61; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Reports, submitted by the Political Agent (Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior) or the Indian Assistant at the Political Agency in the Political Agent’s absence, detailing proceedings at Bahrain and elsewhere. The reports are organised under various headings, as follows:arrivals and departures of ships at Bahrain (with details of cargoes and their origins), and of the arrivals and departures of flying boats;the movements of British Government representatives (the Political Agent, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf);news from elsewhere in the region (Nejd, including updates of Ibn Saud’s [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] movements; Qatar, including Shaikh Abdullah’s [‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī] actions and movements; and events at Qatif [Al-Qaṭīf]);news in Bahrain, including the activities of members of the Āl Khalīfah ruling family, economic news, including reports of bankruptcies, and updates on the year’s poor pearling season, including diminished pearl yields, and pearl trading activity;meteorological reports, including details of the minimum and maximum temperatures for each fortnight, and rainfall figures;miscellaneous news, including the visits of foreigners to Bahrain, activities of the American Mission’s representatives, a visit by geologists from Eastern General & Syndicate Limited.Specific events of note include:disturbances at two Sunni schools in Bahrain, in which schoolmasters went on strike. Contributing causes to the disaffection, suggested by the Political Agent, include staff salaries, the school inspector’s preference for a schooling system ‘based on Beirut’, the rumoured curtailment of religious teaching, and an expansion of English teaching to the detriment of Arabic (ff 10-12);the opening by Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah of a new electric power station in Bahrain (f 24).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 63; 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 1-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Fortnightly reports (as opposed to weekly reports, as stated on its cover) from the Political Agency in Kuwait. The reports are signed by the Political Agent (Major James Carmichael More; Major Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett; Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Richard Patrick Dickson), or, in his absence, the Agency’s head clerk. The reports, which are broadly consistent in their content and arrangement from one fortnight to the next, contain information on:the arrival and departure of steamships and aircraft;British interests, such as the movements of the Political Agent, activities of Eastern & General Syndicate Limited in Kuwait, including the drilling of water wells, Royal Air Force (RAF) activity;foreign interests, reporting the activities and movements of foreigners at Kuwait, including doctors and other representatives of the American Mission;local interests, including the activities of the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ), activity and success of the pearling season, locust plagues (sometimes referred to as ‘dibbas’), establishment of the municipality of Kuwait, and municipal works;paper currency and rates of exchange;meteorological data (maximum temperatures during summer, rainfall during winter);rates of exchange for various commodities in the bazaars.Frequently coming under the headings of foreign interests or desert news, are reports of disturbances, raids, and clashes around Kuwait’s borders with Nejd and Iraq, between Bedouin tribes and families associated with the Ikhwan (also spelt Akhwan in the file), and those allied to the King of Nejd [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, referred to throughout the file as Ibn Sa’ud]. These include intelligence reports, received by the Political Agency, on the following events:the movements and activities of Faisal ad-Dawish [Fayṣal al-Duwaysh];in January 1928, the bombing of raiders by the RAF (ff 107-108);in late 1928, a conference between Ikhwan leaders and Ibn Sa’ud, which took place in Riyadh;on 29 March 1929, a battle at Sibilah [Az Zulfi], between forces allied to Ibn Sa’ud and the Ikhwan (f 189);on 5 October 1929, a battle between the Ikhwan and the Awazim [Al-Awazem] tribe (ff 244-246;in January 1930, meetings between Ibn Sa’ud, the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe) and Ikhwan leaders, and the surrender of Ikhwan leaders, including Faisal ad-Dawish (ff 268-273);in February 1930, Ibn Sa’ud’s conference with King Faisul [Fayṣal al-Awwal ibn al-Ḥusayn ibn ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] of Iraq (ff 286-287).Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 383; 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 3-382; these numbers are also written in pencil, are circled, but have been struck through. A third foliation system is also present in parallel between ff 4-187; these numbers are written in a combination of coloured crayon and pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Correspondence exchanged between the Political Agency in Bahrain and the principal shipping agents at Bahrain: the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited, and Gray, Mackenzie & Company Limited. The correspondence is routine, and relates to the exchange of bills of lading and redemption of letters of guarantee for cargo arriving in Bahrain for the Political Agency. The file contains numerous letters of guarantee, signed by the Political Agent. The cargos involved include: fresh fruit and other foodstuffs, cases of alcohol, ‘Government stores’ (office supplies, stationery), flags, and garden equipment.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 112; 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 2-102; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file concerns the supply of arms and ammunition by the British Government to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], following the conclusion of a Civil Air Agreement between the two parties.The correspondence mainly concerns shipping arrangements for arms and ammunition consigned to Muscat. It includes discussion of several cases of delayed or missing shipments of ammunition, and contains a number of received shipping notes regarding undelivered shipments. Also discussed briefly is a complaint from the Sultan after receiving ammunition that is five years old.The principal correspondents are as follows: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 50; 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: This file concerns the supply of arms and ammunition by the British Government to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd].The correspondence discusses arrangements for the shipping of arms and ammunition supplied by the War Office. Included are details of types of weapons and ammunition supplied, as well as discussion of individual consignments and associated charges.The file's principal correspondents are the following: the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat; the Political Residency in Bahrain; the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman's Minister for Foreign Affairs; Gray, Mackenzie and Co Ltd; officials of the Commonwealth Relations Office, the Foreign Office, and the War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 74, 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 file comprises correspondence relating to the presence on board the tanker
Helka, sailing from Aden to Bahrain, of an Italian, whom British officials instruct should not be allowed to land at Bahrain. The principal correspondents are: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), the Chief Secretary at Aden; and the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company BAPCO (R A Kennedy).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 7; 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 2-6; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: Most of the letters in this file are written by Mirza Mehedy Ally Khaun [Mirza Mahdi 'Ali Khan Bahadur], who was the Native Agent at Bushire from October 1798 to January 1803, although there are also a significant number of letters received by him. Other correspondents include: Samuel Manesty, Resident at Bussora [Basra]; David Seton, Resident at Muscat; a number of East India Company commanders and three East India Company civil servants, based in Bombay. Most of the correspondence is between Mirza Mehedy Ally Khaun and Manesty, in which the two men issue and receive notifications regarding the delivery and receipt of letters and consignments. There are two letters near the end of the file which are written by Mirza Mehedy Ally Khaun's successor, Jonathan Lovett. Also included are three letters from Mirza Mehedy Ally Khaun to Jonathan Duncan, President and Governor in Council, Bombay. All of the letters in this volume are stated as being true copies, signed by William Bruce, Assistant Resident, Bushire.Physical description: There is a pagination sequence and a foliation sequence.Pagination: The pagination sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos. It begins on the first page of correspondence, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 105.Foliation: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 56. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
Abstract: The file concerns the introduction of a 'subsidised' shipping service into the Persian Gulf by the Italian shipping company Lloyd Triestino. The Foreign Office viewed the development with concern, at a time of increasing international interest in the Persian Gulf.The papers cover: summary of foreign shipping services in the Gulf (folio 49); itinerary of the new service (folio 40); the view of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf that the new service was not likely to affect British shipping (folio 37); official concern over a decrease in the predominance of British shipping and British goods in the Gulf (folios 32-33, 29); the presence of Japanese and German shipping in the Gulf; inauguration of the Lloyd Triestino service; the connection of the new service with the Trans-Persian Railway (e.g. folios 25, 9); the reaction of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISN) to the new service (e.g. folios 23, 17); and reports on the movements of Italian ships and the cargoes they were carrying, especially sugar and cement.The file contains correspondence from the Foreign Office, the Board of Trade, and various British officials in the region.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 54; 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 file concerns various German activities in the Persian Gulf, principally the presence in the Gulf of German shipping, which was operated by the Hansa Line. The Foreign Office wished 'to discourage, as far as possible, German penetration in the Persian Gulf' (folio 65).The papers cover: list of foreign shipping services running to the Persian Gulf, January 1934 (folio 83); British concern over 'subsidised' foreign shipping and trade (folio 75); intelligence concerning German interests and the movements of Hansa Line ships; correspondence concerning an official report on 'Recent Activities of the Hansa Line', dated October 1936 (folios 65-70); correspondence concerning the carriage of mails from New York to Bahrain on German ships (folios 41-53); reaction to increased German trade activities in the Persian Gulf (folios 18-30); concern over the possible use of German shipping lines to transport Nazi propaganda for distribution in the Persian Gulf (e.g. folios 10-12); and refusal of visas to German nationals (folios 3-9).The file contains significant correspondence from the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch), and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 84; 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 correspondence, memoranda reports, telegrams and minutes, regarding the German and Japanese interest in shipping and trade in the Persian Gulf, particularly in Kuwait (also written in some parts of the file as Koweit).The papers notably cover/include the following:The establishment of a passenger/trading service from Europe to the Persian Gulf by the steamship company, Hamburg Amerika [America] Line, and imports by the company’s Persian Gulf branchGerman and Japanese ships at Persian [Iranian] portsThe interest of German firm Messrs Robert Wonckhaus and Company in Basra, and details of the Ruler of Kuwait having been approached by the same companyReports of German trade shipping and details of items purchased (e.g. Barley), reportedly at a lossA report of a broker selling firearms in Bahrein [Bahrain]Details relating to the Baghdad RailwayThe movements of German merchants in the Gulf during 1916The presence of a Japanese merchant, suspected to be an employee of the trading company Mitsui Bussan Kaisha, at ports in the GulfThe operations of Messrs Robert Wonckhaus and Company in Kuwait.The volume comprises internal correspondence between British officials of different departments. The principal correspondents are: Stuart George Knox, Political Agent at Kuwait; and Sir Percy Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr].Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 106; 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 2-105; these numbers are written in pencil, and are circled. Another foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-47; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.Both of the previous foliation sequences have been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file contains policy papers discussing whether the British Government should pay out compensation for dhows lost by the Persian Gulf States as a result of enemy action. The file also discusses whether compensation should be paid to coolies killed as a result of the sinking of the Norwegian vessel SS
Dahpuin Muscat harbour by a Japanese submarine on 28 June 1943; the British Government had given the Sultan of Muscat assurances that his state would be protected from external aggression.A single post-war incident has been included in the file: the looting of the Alexandria Steam Navigation Company ship
Star of Mexin February 1947. The ship was stranded near Ra‘s al Khabba: see folios 21-22 for a detailed report on the incident by Andrew Charles Stuart, Political Agent and Consul at Muscat. The majority of the papers are concerned with establishing whether the Muscat Government is liable for paying out compensation.The file does not contain any papers for the years 1945-1946.The main correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant Colonel William Rupert Hay) and officials of the India Office – Commonwealth Relations Office from August 1947. The file also contains input from the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and the Treasury.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 70; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.