Abstract: This file consists of an assessment of the security of British telegraphic communications around the world in the event of war, including proposals to lay new deep-sea cables. The assessment is written by Lieutenant-General Henry Brackenbury, Intelligence Division, War Office, and is followed by two tables, as follows:'Table A. Return showing existing means of Telegraphic Communication between Great Britain and her Imperial Fortresses and Coaling Stations Abroad, also existing defects in the system which require amendment.';'Table B. Return showing existing means of Telegraphic Communication between Great Britain and those of the Colonies, which, not being Imperial Fortresses or Coaling Stations, have not been included in Table A.'Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 506 and terminates at f 513, 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.
Abstract: Correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior) and the Secretary of State for India and Burma (Frederick William Pethick-Lawrence, 1st Baron Pethick-Lawrence) regarding the Bushire to Bahrain submarine cable which had been laid in 1935 without the consent of the Persian Government and discussing the Cable and Wireless concession at Bushire, which granted them oversight of the cable, which was signed in 1946.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folio 5.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 6; 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 2-4; 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 operations of Cable and Wireless Limited at Muscat.The papers include: the introduction by the Company of a cable running direct from Karachi to Muscat, and from Muscat to Bushire, and the enlargement of the cable station at Muscat, 1935; the issuing of a licence to the Company to land their cables at Muscat, and to use a wireless set there, in exchange for an annual rental paid direct to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, 1935-39; a copy of the licence issued to Cable and Wireless Limited by the Government of India for landing at Karachi and working a submarine cable connecting Karachi with Muscat (folios 103-105); interruptions to the cable service at Muscat; erection of masts at the station, 1939; the posting of a guard at the station, 1940; wartime security measures, including instructions issued by Army Headquarters, India, for the temporary disabling of wireless stations in the event of capture by an enemy, 1940; and general matters.The main correspondents are the Political Agent, Muscat, and Cable and Wireless Limited. The file also contains correspondence from Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr], Sultan of Muscat and Oman.The Arabic language content of the file consists of approximately seven folios of correspondence (with English translations) between the Sultan of Muscat and Oman and the Political Agent, Muscat.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 178; 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 the operations of Cable and Wireless Limited at Muscat.The papers consist almost entirely of correspondence between the Company and the Political Agent, Muscat, and cover: change of Company name; procedural matters; building works at the Company's premises; a request by the Sultan of Muscat, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], for an annual payment from the Company in return for allowing the Company to run its telegraph cable into Muscat; the Sultan's request supported by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle), because it was a commercial operation, folio 40; installation of an engine for the Company's emergency plant; interruptions to the cable service; staff matters; and correspondence concerning delays to the receipt and delivery of important telegrams.The file also contains copies of some slightly earlier correspondence, dating from 1933. The Arabic language content of the papers consists of two letters between the Political Agent, Muscat, and the Government of Muscat and Oman (that from the Political Agent with English translation).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 223; 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 4-209; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence between ff 210-220, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Correspondence and other papers concerning the drafting of an agreement between the Governments of Britain and Persia [Iran], concerning the withdrawal of the Indo-European Telegraph Department from Persia, and the subsequent taking over of cables and equipment in Persia by the Persian Government. The agreement covers: the costs of daily use of the cables; maintenance of the cable between Henjam [Jazīreh-ye Hengām] and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; transit dues for communications sent between Iraq and India; access to Gulf ports by cable ships. The papers include:Multiple drafts of the agreement, in French. A printed copy of the final agreement in French and English translation, dated 17 February 1932, is included (ff 141-144).Correspondence concerning difficulties in maintaining an import of supplies to telegraph stations in Persia.Registration of the Imperial and International Communications Company Limited (IICC) in Persia.Discussion amongst British officials over the merits of abandoning cable communication in the Gulf, and closing down the telegraph stations on the Persian coast of the Gulf, in favour of using wireless communications.Correspondence from 1932 concerning the costs of repairs to the Henjam-Bandar Abbas cable, incurred by IICC/Cable & Wireless Limited, and charged against the Persian Government.The volume’s principal correspondents are: the India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite); the British Legation at Tehran (Robert Henry Clive; Charles Dodd; Reginald Hervey Hoare); the Indo-European Telegraph Department (Maurice George Simpson); the Indo-European Telegraph Company (which became the IICC, and from 1935, Cable & Wireless Limited (J O Stevens Perry; Ralph Lawson)).The volume contains a single item in Persian (f 82), being an order issued by the Shah of Persia, dated 28 Khordad 1311 (equivalent to 18 June 1932), ratifying the Indo-European Telegraph Department agreement.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 409; 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: Correspondence from the British Legation in Tehran (Raymond Cecil Parr), Foreign Office (George William Rendel), and India Office minutes (John Gilbert Laithwaite; Maurice George Simpson) concerning an agreement between the British and Persian Governments, for the transfer of the Indo-European Telegraph Department’s (IETD) telegraph cables in Persia to the Persian Government. The papers refer specifically to the cancellation of debts and claims existing between the two governments, relating to telegraph operations.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 14; 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 exchanged between the Department of Industries and Labour of the Government of India, the British Legation at Tehran (Robert Henry Clive; Raymond Cecil Parr), and India Office (John Gilbert Laithwaite), concerning the status of the Mirjawa [Mīrjāveh] to Duzdap [Zahedan] telegraph line in Persia [Iran], chiefly used by the North Western Railway, in light of the Indo-European Telegraph Department’s withdrawal from Persia, and the handing over of telegraph cables and stations in Persia to the Persian Government. The correspondence discusses if a clause regarding the Mirjawa to Duzdap telegraph line should be inserted into the agreement for the transfer of telegraph operations, under negotiation between the British and Persian Governments.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 37; 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 comprises copy correspondence between James Melvill, Secretary, East India Company, with the War Office, regarding procurement of two field telegraphs for shipment to Bombay and transmission to Bushire, the Headquarters of the Expedition force in the Persian Gulf (also spelled Gulph), under the command of Sir James Outram.Notably covers: consultations between Major G Graham, War Office (formerly twenty-two years with the Bengal Artillery, East India Company), Sir William O'Shaughnessy, (East India Company Director of Telegraphs), Colonel Tulloch, Professor Wheatstone, Mr Vernon Smith and Colonel Sandham, at the Arsenal in Woolwich and in Chatham, over the methods of conveyance and type of wire (cable) best suited for the local terrain and heat in the intended place of use; arrangements for speedy shipping on P & O steamer
Sultanto Bombay; arrangements for telegraphic staff in Bombay to embark for Bushire upon arrival of the equipment and to join Outram’s force.Includes a memorandum by O’Shaughnessy, dated 3 January 1856, detailing his activities in fulfilling the procurement order, including decision to use specially adapted packsaddles for mules, ponies or small Persian horses, rather than fit out waggons which would fall foul of bad roads and the heat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 16; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.