'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎46v] (92/344)

72
Part III—Chap. XXI.
CHAPTER XXf.
* SHIPWRECK OF THE ARIEL MEAR HARRAK Al^D
HUMANE CONDUCT OF THE SHEIKH TOWARDS THE
SURVIVORS—1820.
170. In his letter dated 23rd March 1820, the Resident at Bushire reported Poll. Dept. Diary
the melancholy fate of the Bombay Marine The navy of the East India Company. Cruizer Ariel comm^ from Basrah p p 0 '2G 8 o3°26 1 o 8 6 20,
to Bushire, about 13 miles to the S. E. of Karrak. At 3 a.m . on the morning of
the 18th she was taken in a most severe squall, and she foundered with all hands
on board except five, who although drawn down by the suction of the vessel
came up again, and fortunately got hold of a canoe, which had floated off her
decks, and which they managed by pulling with their hands and legs to reach
Karrak at night about 9 o'clock in the most wretched state, perfectly naked,
as the few clothes they had on at the time they were obliged to tear up to tie
two sweeps to the canoe which were adrift to prevent her turning over. Here
the Sheikh received them in the most humane manner, and took care of them,
providing them with victuals, the best he could afford, and sent them over to
Bushire on the 22nd March in a boat.
171. The persons saved from the Ariel were Assistant Surgeon Clare,
Johnson, boatsman, Thomas Brown, seaman, James Wall, Marine boy, and a
Bunderickman. She had on board in all eighty-three souls, seventy-eight of
which have perished in her, amongst them a Karrak Patil with his son. Johnson
the boatsman reported that the whole of the night of Friday had been cloudy
and became squally after midnight, when the squall came on suddenly and most
furiously with severe thunder and lightning, which forced the vessel under
water laying down in her broad side, bows foremast almost instantaneously
before a soul could get up the hatchways.
172. The Ariel had left Basrah on the 12th March and had on board some
bundles of Europe newspapers for Government ; they experienced nothing but
southerly winds which made her so long in getting down; they passed the
Vestal and H. M. S. Eden at the entrance of the river.
173. The Resident advanced the men saved a few rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. to provide
themselves with clothes and took an early opportunity of sending the Sheikh
of Karrak a small present of about E500 (five hundred) for his kind and
humane conduct towards those unfortunate persons.
174. The Governor in Council expressed great satisfaction at the humane
treatment experienced by the survivors from the Sheikh of Karrak and entirely
approved of the Resident's having forwarded a present to that Chief to the
extent reported (Letter dated 18th April 1820).
• See an interesting account of this shipwreck in Low's History of the Indian Navy, Chapter XI.