'Gazetteer of Arabia Vol. II' [‎1001] (38/688)

KAMARAN
1001
Numerous evidences scattered about everywhere go to prove that the Island is the
result of a dereliction. The time of its first appearance above the surface of water ia
unknown. It is surprising to note that the appearances which it possessed hundreds of
years ago while under water are still preserved to a very great extent. The reason of
this might be found in the scanty rainfall and the poorly inhabited state of the place)
so that neither the activities of man nor the influences of nature have been sufficient
to alter the configuration and the other signs peculiar to land that once formed the bottom
of the sea.
The coast is very much indented and surrounded by reefs and shoals which, however,,
do not extend very far. The Island on the west and two promontories extending some
ten miles from the average lines of the mainland coast on the east and south, form the
boundaries of the Kamaran bay which is about ten miles in length and seven in breadth
and affords capacious anchorage for all classes of vessels in from 5 to 15 fathoms. The
northern entrance is about 4 miles between the shoals and presents no difficulty. The
southern entrance is little over a mile and is reduced by the shallows from both points
to a breadth of about 2 cables. On the eastern shore of the Island a few miles north of
the southern extremity the bay runs inward forming the Kamaran harbour which affords
for very small vessels good anchorage in 7 fathoms. The entrance to this harbour is If
cables wide between the 5 fathoms line. The harbour is well buoyed; dhows always
lie here.
Southerly winds are almost continuous from October to March. At times they blow
very hard. During these months tain falls now and then and the climate is unhealthy
and the wet and dry thermometer stands about the same height. Northerly winds are
hot and dry and blow ftom April to September. Dust storms are common from August
to the middle of October. These come from the north-east over the mainland and con
tinue for some hours. The wind which brings them is extremely strong. A thick wall
of dust miles broad and reaching up to the heavens suddenly appears in the horizon
and soon envelops you in a few minutes. The heavens darken and the atmosphere gets
thick with dust which causes distress for some hours.
The chief interest of Kamaran lies in the fact that it is a Quarantine station for all
pilgrims going to Mecca from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , India, and the Straits Settlements and
the adjoining Islands. Between forty and fifty thousand pilgrims annually undergo
quarantine at Kamaran before they are allowed to proceed to Jiddah en route to Mecca.
The period of quarantine ranges from 24 hours to 5 days. The pilgrim season lasts for
about 8 months in the year.
The town of Kamaran situated at the head of the harbour is said to be increasing.
It is very dirty. Extremely short, narrow, unpaved streets separate the rows of houses.
Sanitation is most primitive and it is surprising that an epidemic is seldom heard of.
Possibly the abundance of fresh air and the scantiness of the population have some
thing to do with it. The inhabitants are mostly fishermen. Some are employed in
pearl fishery. The officials of the Island were the Mudir, the Captain of the port, and the
Director and staff of the Lazarette. There are five small villages scattered about the
Island. The total population is about 3,000. At the town of Kamaran, beef and mutton
can be obtained in small quantities. Vegetables are difficult to procure as they mostly
come from Hodaidah. During the pilgrim season there is always a good supply of
condensed water, and ice can also be procured- Tt is not advisable to use water from
the wells for drinking purposes.
The northern shore of the harbour contains the ice factory An East India Company trading post. and the condensing ins
tallation. Eighty blocks of ice each weighing about 35 lbs. can be turned out every
day. The quantity of water used on an average is 26 tons daily. There is a stone
pier about 100 yards long on this side of the harbour, with a small house at its outer
extremity. It is here that the pious pilgrim from infected ports first meets with the
operation of the quaratine regulations. The British Vice-Consulate, the Quarantine
office and the quarters for the Director and the staff of the Lazarette are also on the
same side.
There are five large quarantine camps, and one small one, situated to the north of the
harbour along the eastern shore of the Island, covering a distance of about 2J miles.
Accommodation is intended for 6,000 pilgrims. Each camp is surrounded by a wire
ience, with two or three gates which are kept closed except when affording passage to
authorised persons. The main gate is guarded by a Turkish soldier. The pilgrims live
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