'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎186] (228/733)

186
MUSK AT.
93. The Joasmce fleet, consisting of a ship, and twenty-five Bug-
galows and Buteels, being out on a cruise at the entrance of the Gulf,
the Imaum, with his fleet, composed of the Caroline frigate and
two other ships, with a number of smaller vessels, fell in with the
Joasmees off Cape Keriat. A smart action ensued, in which the
Joasmees attempted to board the Imaum's ship, and had actually got
possession of the forecastle, when they were dislodged by the guns
from the poop being fired pointed forward, loaded with grape. The
Imaum's other vessels having fallen astern, he was obliged to bear up
and run in to Muskat. His Highness, who commanded in person on
board the Caroline, was slightly wounded by a musket ball. In two
days, after having refitted, the Tmaum again put to sea after the
Joasmees, fell in with them off Sohar, from which he chased them into
Ras-ool-Khyma, and returned to Muskat.
94. His Highness renewed operations against the Joasmees in the
commencement of the following year, but was
unable to effect anything against them, not
withstanding that he blockaded the port of Ras-ool-Khyma for nearly
four months ; nor, in the opinion of Mr. Bruce, would the Imaum be
able to do anything without our support, for which he was extremely
anxious, and would, to obtain it, be glad to cede to us any of the ports
or islands in the Gulf that are subject to him.
95. On the 15th of June 1816, Mr. Bruce reported that the Imaum had
proceeded with a large force to reduce the Beni Uttoobee and Joasmee
Arabs to his allegiance, having been joined by the Aseeloo and Congoon
Arabs, and, with three boats from Bushire, despatched to his assistance
by orders from Shiraz, the Imaum proceeded to Bahrein, and landed
their troops on the island of Arad, which is separated from Bahrein by a
narrow channel for boats, and commenced the attack with some pros
pect of success, but ultimately experienced a signal defeat, and with
great loss. Two of the Imaum's principal Sirdars Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. were killed on this
occasion. Mr. Bruce, who had quitted Bahrein a few days before the
Imaum attacked it, wrote to His Highness to dissuade him from it, as
he knew that many of the Imaum's troops were secretly in the interests
of the Uttoobees, and offering his mediation to settle his differences with
that tribe. No reply was returned to that offer.
96. The Imaum, after this defeat, proceeded to Congoon with the
whole of his fleet, for the purpose of taking on board a reinforcement of
troops, consisting of one thousand musketeers, and four hundred irregular
cavalry, which the Prince of Shiraz had engaged to furnish, on condition
of the Imaum's defraying their expenses, and paying an annual Peshkush
should the troops once embark, and the expedition be abandoned; but