'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎627] (671/733)

GULF OF PERSIA. 627
inhabits.tits, but the influence of tlie chief, who is a cousin of the Imaum,
extends Over the Becloiiins of the interior, to the amount of near ten
thousand; He Is of more political influence and power than any chief in
the Imaum s dominions. Thete is blood between them, and though
acknowledging the Imaum as h^ chief and sovereign, he only renders
iim such obedience as silits his convenience. He is a fine-looking man
about thirty years of age. His name is Soiif bin Biddoo. He was very
attentive to OUr Wants, and professed much attachment to the British
Govefnmeiiti ifis fevdrlUes arc about eight to ten thousand dollars for
the places he Holds on the coast^ and he has about double that sum
from his family estates in the interior. He is much beloved by his
followers, artd many think him most likely to succeed the Imaum in his
Arabian territories. There are two or three forts at this place, and they
are guarded with much vigilailCe. gdik has Some trade With Bussora
and the Malabar Coast, arid It imports large quantities of Malabar rice
rom MUskatj Which is again disposed of to the Bedouins from the in-
tenor* who bring doWn ghee and hard coin in exchange for it. Supplies
Of cattle and poiiltry are iri great plenty herej as Well as Water; grapes
pomegranates* meloilg, figs* and various other fruits* as Well as vegeta
bles, are plentiful in their seasons; and fish is plentiful at all times
offshTfe ^ ^ 111 abreaSt thd f0rt ' a 111116 And a quarter
MfiSSfTA;
Mcssna is a small town and foft in lat; 23° 46' 20' N., loner. 57° 45/
E r . B r een Suik and this piaCe are sitllated successiVe'ly the villages
01 Crubban, Oodam, Howiade* and Shessie* each having from fifty to
one hundred inhabitants* and Under the Chief of Silik. Messna ha«
about a hundred and fifty people in it* and a number of coasting boats
belonging to it. ThC soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. off the coast are quite regular. About
two miles from Messna is Hewabby, the last village before yoil come to
the SWady or Burka Islands. As you approach the first of the islands
the soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. near them towards the shore are shoal.
S wady I slands^
The largest of the Swady Islands, usually called the Bilrka Islands
which is highestj and has a rock on it like a turret; is in I at. 23° 47' in''
N., long. 57° 53' E. There are several rocks in this groupi and
channels between them. Outside of them, and between them and the
Islands, the soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. are from ten to eighteen fathoms, and safe to
work through.
B urka I slands.
The centre of the largest of the Burka Islands* usually Called the
western range of the Swadys* is in lat. 23° 5(7 20" N., long 58° 4' E