Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’

Content

The file contains policy papers discussing whether the British Government should pay out compensation for dhows lost by the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. States as a result of enemy action. The file also discusses whether compensation should be paid to coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. killed as a result of the sinking of the Norwegian vessel SS Dahpu in Muscat harbour by a Japanese submarine on 28 June 1943; the British Government had given the Sultan of Muscat assurances that his state would be protected from external aggression.

A single post-war incident has been included in the file: the looting of the Alexandria Steam Navigation Company ship Star of Mex in February 1947. The ship was stranded near Ra‘s al Khabba: see folios 21-22 for a detailed report on the incident by Andrew Charles Stuart, 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. and Consul at Muscat. The majority of the papers are concerned with establishing whether the Muscat Government is liable for paying out compensation.

The file does not contain any papers for the years 1945-1946.

The main correspondents are the 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant Colonel William Rupert Hay) and officials of the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. – Commonwealth Relations Office from August 1947. The file also contains input from the Foreign Office, the Government of India, and the Treasury.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

Extent and format

1 file (68 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 70; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/L/PS/12/847

Former external reference(s)

Ext 4226/43

History of this record

Date(s)

16 May 1943-21 Apr 1948 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

War compensationLootingSecond World War (1939-1945)Shipping

Places

Ra's al KhabbaMuscat

People & organisations

SS DaphuStar of MexWali of SurPolitical Resident, Persian GulfSultan of Muscat and Oman, Āl Bū Sa'īd Dynasty

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Cite this record in your research

Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/12/847, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000517.0x0003bc> [accessed 6 March 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000517.0x0003bc

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