'Précis on naval arrangements in the Persian Gulf, 1862-1905' [‎46] (54/64)

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CHAPTER XI.
Steam-launches for Political Officers.
(i) Steam-launch for the Resident on the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
122. In July 1876 a steam-launch was placed'at the disposal of the Resident
in the Gulf for quarantine purposes. This
General A.. September 1877, Nos. . u 1. i.u
was only a temporary measure, but the
Resident continued somehow to keep it until 1882, when he asked for a new one,
VY more suited to the place. The necessity
A,, Political E., June 1883, Nos. 133-I4I. , , i u i. D u*
for a good steam-launch at Bushire was
unquestionable. The Resident had to pay official visits on board Her Majesty's
vessels visiting the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and as these vessels had to anchor several miles
from the shore, a safe sea-boat was absolutely necessary.
123. The Government of India accordingly asked the Secretary of State
to authorize Messrs. While & Co., of Covves, to construct a life-boat pinnace,
37 or 38 feet in length, of the description supplied by them to the Admiralty and
cause it to be despatched either direct to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. on board the vessel
then preparing for the Gulf or to Bombay in one of Her Majesty's ships
(despatch No. 17, dated 7th May 1883).
<A 0 ^ . QO M Q The Resident received the steam pinnace
External A., September 1884, Nos. 114-118, i i ■ t i nn
ordered in July 1884.
124. The Resident at Baghdad at the suggestion of Mr. Robertson had
External A., January 1889, ^os. 101-109. proposed to transfer the old steam-boat
External a ., Apni 1885, Nos. 261 -263. 0 f Bushire to Basrah. But as the Govern
ment of India thought that the necessity for maintaining a steam-boat at Basrah
had not been proved, they decided to sell the old boat at Bushire.
<
125. The boat obtained in 1884 was, on account of her deteriorated con-
Extemai A., July 1903, Nos. 130-31. ditlon, replaced by a new one 1^1903,
External a ., August 1903, No. i23v constructed at the Bombay dockyard at a
cost of Rs. 24,000.
(ii) Steam-launch for the Resident at Baghdad.
126. Vide Chapter XII (xvii) of Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. Precis, 1801—1905.
(iii) Proposed steam-launch for the Consul at Muhammerah, 1904-05.
127. During Lord Curzon's tour in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. it was decided that it was
necessary to provide the Consul at Muhammerah with a light draught launch
suitable for touring on the Karun and Shat-el-Arab. Sir A. Hardinge brought the
matter to the notice of the Marquess of Lansdowne.
128. The Secretary of State for India thereupon asked for an estimate
Secret e. August 1904, Nos. 400-449 (No. 443)- the cost of providing a suitable vessel;
Secret e., January 1905, Nos. 143-157). ^ but as the London Foreign Office suggested
that It might be possible to hire one when required, Messrs. Lynch and Co., who
had a steam-launch, were addressed on the subj'ect, but stated that they could not
spare it for the purpose required.
129. The Government of India then proposed to build a new steam -launch
0 . n. t m /m ^ at a cost; of about Rs. S4.oooin the R. I. M.
Secret E., January 1905, Nos. 143-17 (Mo. 155). , 1 n t , V
Dockyard at Bombay on the understanding
that one half of cost was met from the Imperial Treasury (despatch to the Secre
tary of State, No. 238, dated 8th December 1904).
130. The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, however, were not satisfied
Secret E., J«„. 1905, No S , (oo-M. of L1 the necessity for incurring so consider-
able a capital expenditure with a consequent
annual charge for maintenance (Treasury to the Foreign Office, dated 13th March
I 9 0 5)'
(iv) Suggestion to utilize the three torpedo-boats, lying at Bombay, for the use ol
the Consular Officers in the Gulf.
131. In his letter No. 96, dated 18th February 1905, Major Cox