Abstract: The file provides an account of the navigation of the rivers of Mesopotamia from 1640, with a series of extracts from despatches, letters, reports, a diary, a treaty, and an order. It details agreements between England and Turkey; the movements of British steamers within the region; the question of the payment of dues and navigation rights; the maintenance costs of steamers; and highlights disturbances hindering navigation.It was written by F De Lesseps, Foreign Department, India Office.The file includes three extracts in French.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 28, and terminates at f 31, 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 between ff 28-31; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file consists of a document which outlines the results of an inter-departmental conference held at the India Office in April 1919 to discuss the question of the disposal of surplus river craft in Mesopotamia which are no longer needed by the military.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 37, and terminates at f 37, 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.
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.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the registration of boats in Bahrain. The vast majority of the papers are covering letters that were originally sent with registration certificates by the Director of Customs to the Political Agency for counter-signing. The certificates were then returned by the Agency. The certificates were required by all craft intending to leave Bahrain waters. The practice ceased in January 1933.The file also contains some correspondence about the usefulness of the procedure, mostly between the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave), the Political Agency in Bahrain, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, and the Government of India (Foreign and Political Department).Towards the back of the file is later correspondence relating to an incident involving the confiscation of registration certificates by Iranian port officials and a request to register a new tug boat from the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).Folio 189 is internal office notes.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 191; 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 3-188; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
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.
Abstract: Enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 41 of 1846, dated 15 April 1846. The enclosures are dated and contain correspondence relating to affairs of the Persian Gulf. Contents relate to: hostilities with local tribes off the southern coast of Persia [Iran] leading to the plunder of vessels under British colours; lists of vessels under British colours trading between Bombay [Mumbai] and Bushire [Bushehr]; the impounding in Muscat of silk bound for Persia in retaliation for Bushire seizing indigo chests belonging to Muscat; and the surrender of Sahar [Suhar] and inland fortresses to the Beni Saad [Banī Saʿīd] in anticipation of Wahabee [Wahhābī] incursions. This item commences with an abstract of contents (folios 506-510). Correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf addressed to the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (63 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 42 of 1846, dated 15 April 1846. The enclosures are dated and contain correspondence relating to the passage of the steam vessel
Nitocrisfrom the river Euphrates to Bombay [Mumbai]. This item commences with an abstract of contents (folios 569-572). Correspondence from the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (27 folios)
Abstract: This part is mainly composed of interdepartmental correspondence discussing two subjects: 1) re-erecting and improving the lighthouse and buoying at Shaikh Shuaib after the First World War and 2) various issues relating to lightships on Kais Island, specifically the following light vessels:
Calcutta,
Salestteand
Shindi.The correspondence covers the following: an agreement between the governments of India and Persia regarding lighthouse construction; a general description of supplies and construction, as well as abstracts, materials and measurements; a statement of expenditure of material; a report and a sailor's testimony regarding an accident involving the
Shindiat Kais Island (ff 190-198).Notable correspondents include the following: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secretary of the State for India; the Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council; HM Treasury; the Government of India’s Marine Department; the Government of India’s Financial Department; the British Legation at Theran; the Royal Indian Marine.Physical description: 1 item (213 folios)
Abstract: This part is mainly composed of interdepartmental correspondence discussing the erection of a lighthouse at Jask, a useful point for ships when making entrance into the Persian Gulf.Related matters of discussion include the following: a statement of expenditure of material and increasing prices; the Persian Gulf lighting fund and the charge of Imperial funds.The correspondence in the part is internal correspondence between British officials. The principal correspondents are the Government of India's Army Department; the Government of India's Marine Department; the Foreign Office; the Government of Bombay's Public Works Department; HM Treasury; and officials acting on behalf of Earl Curzon of Kedleston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.Physical description: 1 item (53 folios)
Abstract: This part is mainly composed of interdepartmental correspondence discussing the removal and the rent of the lightship called
Shindi, located at Kais Island, Persian Gulf. Related matters of discussion include the following: the renting of the lightship until the erection of a lighthouse at Sheik Shuaib Island, a report on the condition of the
Shindi(ff 460-462), and issues relating to the payment of the rent.Notable correspondents include the following: the Government of India's Army Department, the Government of India's Marine Department, and the Director of the Royal Indian Marine.Physical description: 1 item (35 folios)