File 4011/1923 Pt 2 'PERSIAN GULF: NEGOTIATIONS 1928 HENJAM' [‎919r] (1844/1934)

VESmTurW
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3. In conseqneiice of Government having directed Mr. Assistant Snrgeon Tod in con-
Junction with Mr. Assistant Surgeon Nimmo to make a tour of the island to see if there was
a more eligible spot for a cantonment, it was evidently the wish of Government that the pre!
sent cantonment should be removed before the neat (fast approaching) hot season.
I made a tour round the island in the beginning of this month, and visited every place
Where 1 heard good water was to be found attended by the Master Attendant and Mr Assist
ant Surgeon Keach, The former for reporting on the roads and anchorage for shipping'
marked 15 and the latter for the purpose of ascertaining the best situations and healthful-
ness ot the dirierent stations for a cantonment marked C.
I first visited Denstan where the water was good in many of the wells, but they were
about 2 miles tiom tbe beach, and I believe the failure of the water was the principal cause
for the troops quitting that cantonment formerly and sea breeze coming over a burning
sand (though for so short a distance) does not promise much benefit.
I next ^ isited a place called Salak (by the natives) but which in Major-General Smith’s
report to Government, 23rd April 1821, is the same place which he calls Zullah. It is about
35 miles vrest of Deristan; there are several wells of excellent water, and as no rain has
fallen this year, it is evident it must be a natural supply and as they occupy a space of 400
or 500 yards in length there is every probability of having an abnndande by digging inter
mediate ones: on inquiry amongst the few cultivators who now reside there they informed
me that there was fresh water to be had in every part, and that the hot weather during the
summer months was not so intense as on the northern side of the island.
The site for a cantonment being within 500 yards of the beach which is covered with
a vegetation that renders the reflection and heat still less and being entirely open to
seaward promises a cool healthy spot. The prevailing winds during the hot season are
north-west, but as they always take the direction of the land they become here south
west which will be a sea breeze. The elevated or table land is at a little distance, but
as the wind only comes over it in the cold season there is every reason to suppose it will pre
vent inconvenience. The anchorage is also good as represented in the Master Attend
ant’s report marked B.
The next place I visited was a small island called the great Tumb about 30 or 40 miles
south-west from Salak ; it is about 3 miles in length and 2 in breadth ; there is a large place
in it open to the westward which would be a most eligible spot for a cantonment, but the
want of good water will never allow it to be made a permanent station, there was only one
well which was very had and brackish. , ,
I next went to Basidoo or Bassadore, an old Portguese town in ruins on north-west
point of Kishm. There are 10 or 3 2 tanks, but 2 only were full of rain water which was
excellent, the remainder were quite dry ; perhaps for want of the channels for con
veying the rain into them not being kept clear and open ito w T hich I am the more inclined,
as the inhabitants are only a few fishermen and the 2 tanks from which they procure
the water is in all probability sufficient for them.
In other respects this would be an excellent spot for troops, it being a peninsula'
surrounded on 3 sides by the sea and the hills so far distant that it is open to every wind.
The ground tolerably level and elevated on two sides about 30 feet from the sea by ab
rupt rocks which might easily be depended, and the plain is sufficiently large for almost
any number of men and the tanks when filled would be sufficient for 5,000 men for 12
months, as there are a number of wells which though the water is not good would answer
for culinary purposes. The anchorage is not safe as represented in the Master Attend
ant’s report.
Under all these circumstances I have decided in favour of Salak, it is true as a
strong military position, it does not possess any advantages, but by placing the & uns m
commanding situations and in stopping up some of the small roads through the ravines.
I think it may be rendered as secure as circumstances at present require.
As it is probable I could not receive an answer to this communication m a month or
perhaps 40 days and as the season at that time will he too far advanced to get fhd
barracks anduther buildings erected before the intense hot weather co~s and the
probable total failure of water before that time, I have^tten to H Highness the
Imam for permission to remove there, and not doubting « J stores on
I have made arrangements for commencing the movement of ^ “
the 1st proximo and all circumstances considered, I trust ie
Council will approve of the measures I have adopted.
As the Ordnance stores have increased considerably ^ the o / t e *°™ 1 X
Deristan and as it will be more advantageous to remove all the matenals of
Barracks and Public Buildings than to buy new and pay for the freight from Menow
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