"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٢‎٣‎٤] (١٧٨٢/٣٧٧)

Periodical
Maritime
Truces,
1836-42.
234
which they are detached—the continued suppression of piracy, and the protection of
Brit ish commerce.
Government is further of opinion that, keeping the vessels of war in the Gulf
constantly moving in a circle, each vessel in its turn should be directed to proceed to
Bombay for the purpose of refit and the promotion of discipline.
As a general rule, therefore, the Governor in Council has resolved that a vessel
detached from the Gulf, shall not continue on service there for a longer period than
twelve months, andthatonthe expiration of this period, whether relieved ornot, she
sha 11 return t o Bombay, unless under the pressure of some great and overriding emer
gency of such a nature a? will justify the Kesident in the Persian Gulf detaining
her on his own responsibility, but with the understanding that the discretion is not
to be lightly exercised, and shall under all circumstances be immediately reported to
Government.
Maintenance and growth of maritime security; 1836-61.
Maritime security had been definitely established in the Persian
Gulf at the close of the last period, but it had still to be watched oyer
and perfected during the period now under consideration.
The system of Maritime Truces, happily introduced in 1835, con
tinued to develop. These Truces, under which every kind of violence at
sea by the Shaikhs of Trucial "'Oman and their subjects was prohibited
and penalised, were at first arranged to cover the pearl fishing season
only and were a matter of annual arrangement; later they were made for
twelve months at a time and were practically continuous; and finally, in
1843, a Truce for ten years was concluded among the usual signatories.
In 1836 successful punitive and deterrent action was taken by an
Indian Naval Squadron at Dohah, Wakrah, and ^Odaid against Bani
Yas pirates and their harbourers ; and in 1841 a few shots tired into
Dohah by another similar squadron brought about the surrender of a
piratical vessel, which was immediately destroyed. In 1846 an expedition
to Jiunah Island resulted in the capture of another vessel which had been
employed for piracy. These were the principal occasions on which forcible
action was required ; and not.only were such offences against good order
at sea as now occurred confined within Arab circles, but the shaikhs of the
Trucial Coast began to show a true appreciation of their responsibilities
and to co-operate with the British Government in bringing offenders to
justice.
The matter of wrecks was one in which progress was slower. The
settlement of some claims that arose from the plundering of a vessel
stranded at Han]am in 1838 occupied three years; and it was only com
pleted in the end by means of seizures of Qishm vessels in Indian ports.