'Extracts from Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf, Oman and Central Arabia by J G Lorimer CIE, Indian Civil Service' [‎15v] (35/180)

20
Futile attack
on Ras-al-
Khaimah,
1st December
1816.
Naval
resources
of the
Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. .
Raids by the
Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. on
the Persian
Coast.
1817-18.
Depredations
on the coast
of India.
of Britain any inhabitants of the western coast of India except those of Bombay
and Mangalore. The Resident, Lieutenant Bruce and his Assistant Lieutenant
Taylor arrived off Ras-al-Khaimah on the 26th of November with the
" Challenger " " Mercury," " Vestal" and " Ariel," and early the next morning a
letter addressed to the Shaikh was conveyed ashore by
was not allowed an interview with the chief. A httle later, however,
Hasan-bin-Rahmah consented to see Captain Bridges ot the Challenger, w om
Mr J S Buckingham, afterwards well-known as a traveller and journalist,
accompanied in the capacity of interpreter; and by these gentlemen it was
ascertained from the chief personally that he had both received the letter of the
Resident and fully understood its contents. In that communication discussion of
the principal point, whether the Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. were the authors of the crime in the
Red Sea or not. was refused; the immediate restoration of the plundered vessels
and property or, alternatively, the payment of their value in cash was demanded;
the surrender of Amir Ibrahim for punishment was claimed, and it was added that
two sons of Shaikhs must be delivered up to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. as
hostages for the future behaviour of the tribe. In event of failure to comply with
all or any of these terms the squadron, under the instructions received by the
Resident, was simply to withdraw after denouncing the displeasure of Government
against Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. . the answer of the Shaikh, delivered at noon on the 27th, was
insolent and evasive; but he was given a further period of 24 hours for
consideration, and meanwhile a wind from the north-west arose, which compelled
the squadron to weigh anchor and run over for shelter to the coast of Qishm. On
the 30th the ships again appeared before Ras -al-Khaimah and a fresh period of
grace was allowed ^the Shaikh, terminating at noon on the following day.
Hasan -bin-Rahmah continued obstinate and adhered firmly to his own counter
proposal, which was that he should be allowed to send envoys to Bombay to settle
the matter there
On the receipt of this reply the squadron stood in as close to the town as
thev could without going aground and opened fire upon four Arab vessels which
were anchored close in-shore; but the range, which was fully a mile, was too
great for all but a few of their guns; and, though some 350 rounds were fired, no
visible execution was done.* The squadron then dispersed, the Mercury and
" Ariel " being detailed to visit Sharjah, Lingeh and Charak on a mission similar
to that performed at Ras-al-Khaimah, while the " Challenger convoyed the
" Vestal " out of the Gulf, turning back at Masqat to afford protection to upward-
The piratical force of the Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. at this period was estimated at 60 large
boats belonging to Ras -al-Khaimah, carrying from 80 to 300 men each besides
40 others of a smaller size distributed over the ports ot Sharjah, Rams, Latt, Lingen
and Charak. At the time of the British squadron's visit to Ras -al-Khaimah it
was understood that the Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. had about 20 vessels actually at sea, ol which
15 were then prowling in the Gulf of 'Oman and 5 in the upper part of the Persian
C j ulf
The Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , though decisive action against the Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima.
was now contemplated, were not in a position to take immediate steps; and, while
thev delayed, the temerity of the pirates continued to increase. In October 181/
a Qasimi fleet made a raid on Shaikh Shu'aib, ourned and plundered the villages
at the western end of the island, drove off all the cattle, and slaughtered a number
of the inhabitants. A little later they entered the roadstead of 'Asalu, captured
there 5 large native Baghlahs worth with their cargoes Rs. 3,00,000, and put the
crews to death. After a stay of 12 days at Asalu the pirate fleet made a
demonstration against Kangun and even attacked Daiyir, but they were repmsed
by the inhabitants of the latter place. These outrages, of which the proximity to
Bushehr steadily increased, caused a panic in that town; and the people were
with difficulty restrained by the Governor from taking flight to the interior.
Simultaneously two native ships, with cargoes of cotton, were taken by the
Qawasim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. off Diu; and thereafter the " Mustapha," an Arab vessel but officered
by Englishmen and flying English colours, was captured only 70 miles north of
Bombay.
* In these proceedings the local officers appear to have exceeded their instruction. Vide
Buckingham, pages 497-498.