'File 61/6 vol.4 (D 34) Bin Saud and Akwan Movement' [‎88r] (175/565)

No. 842-S. of 1920, dated Bushire, the 7th December 1920.
From— Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in th«
Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—The Hon'ble Mr. H. U. C. Dobbs , C.S .I., C.I.E., Foreign Secretary to the
Government of India in the Foreign and Political Department.
I have the honour to forward herewith, in case they may be of interest to
the Government of India, a copy of a report describing his journey to Riyadh
and Mecca with the Nejd Mission to King Hussain by Khan Sahib Saiyid
Siddiq Hassan, together with a report on the same subject by Shaikh Earhan
Beg A1 Rahmah, Muntafiq, who accompanied the Khan Sahib,
Both reports are, I think, interesting, describing the journey through little
known country, and the happenings en route, from different points of view.
I consider that Khan Sahib Saiyid Siddiq Hassan did very good work on
this Mission, but no doubt His Excellency the High Commissioner, to whom
copies of these reports, together with certain recommendations, were sent direct
by the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , will take steps to obtain recognition of Saiyid Siddiq
Hassan's services, should he think fit.
DIARY OE JOURNEY EROM BAHREIN TO MECCA.
1. Left Bahrein, Thursday the 15th July, 1920 = 28th Shawwal 1338 at
10 a m . The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Major H. R. P. Dickson, C.LE., very kindly
gave his steam launch, 44 The Bahrein", and his own personal friend and Assist-
tant, Shaikh Earhan A1 Rahmah of the Muntafiq, Iraq, to assist me. Major
Dickson, with his staff and several others, came to see us off on board and gave
me a good * send-off
2. Owing to Shimal we had to anchor off Aqariyah near Zallaq, where we
reached at 3-30 p.m . Sailed asrain at 2-00 p m . when Shimal went down,
arriving 'O^air at 6-30 a.m . Wasted two hours in trying to get into the inner
harbour, going as near the wooden pole (mark) as seemed safe ; but the launch
was nearly aground (north-west of pole) and had to go back and anchor quarter
mile away to the north of the pole. So the Mafras or the sandy bed N.-N.-B.
approach to harbour is not at all navigable even for the little '* Bahrein " draw
ing only six feet water. Dredger is a necessity for the improvement of 'Ojair, the
• inner harbour being safe and deep and broad; the only difficulty is the
Mafras, 4 or 5 miles out.
3. Bin Khair Allah, the Amir, sent me two big lighters and we landed at
11 a.m ., Friday, the 16th July 1920-29th Shawwal.
4. 'Ojair, the port of Hassa, is hardly worth the name of port. There is
only an old Turkish Khan and a few huts. The Amir, a slave of Bin Saud's,
is a good-natured, middle-aged man. Stops in the south part of the Khan, of
which the opposite end is used as customs office by the farmer Bin Earis
(Mahdi), a Bahreini, brother of Haji Aii Bin Earis of Qatif. There are a
dozen shops outside, fronting the sea. A kachcha wharf is going to be built,
and Mr. Nizam-ud-Din, Overseer, Fublic Works Department, has come with
me to take necessary notes of survey to make an estimate for Qusaibi by Bin
Saud's orders. The Khan is large enough to accommodate something like 500
men or more, built in the style of our Sarais in India with, of course, small
towers for defence. Lots of cargo was lying on the wharf, almost the whole of
it coming in dho-vs from or via Bahrein. Tables will soon be turned, it seems
probable, when 'Ojair is opened to ships and steamers begin to call. Eound
five nicely caparisoned dromedaries sent by Bin Jiluvi, Amir of Hassa, waiting
for us with two well-armed Badus for escort. These with two camels and two
donkeys for load and servants, formed our little caravan, which left 'Ojair at
5 p.m ., after taking an Asha with the Amir at the Customs place. Ser
vants and luggage gone ahead two hours ago.
5. I ride a dromedary to-day after something like fifteen years.
1131 F&PD