'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎74v] (148/344)

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Part V—Chap. XXVIH
The independent Arabs now advanced and surrounded Maskat, and the Persian Army
was reduced to considerable difficulties. About this time intelligence of the death of Nadir
Shah reached tbem, the Persians made certain proposals to the Arabs, which were finally
agrreed tn, and the Persian Army returned back to Bunder Abassee without effecting the
object of their coming.
11. In this state of affairs Ahmed bin Saed, the grandfather of the present Imam
of Maskat, and then a Chieftain Commanding at Sohar, assumed the (jovernment of Omaun
and was proclaimed Imam.
1^. The claims of Persia therefore to the Islands of Kishm, Or muz, etc., seem to rest *
entirely upon their heing considered as dependencies of Bunder Abassee. This point I have
not yet been able to ascertain, but it is quite evident that the Imam is not disposed to
acknowledge the rijjht of Persia to the islands in question, and it is, I believe, the universal
law of nations to claim as a right that which they have obtained by the sword. Persia
with equal presumption claims the Island of Bahrein because it was once tributaiy to it,
thouirh it has thrown off the yoke, and paid no tribute for these 30 vears. Persia may with
equal justice lay claim to Dehli at the present day because Nadir Shah once conquered and
plundered it.
13. In my discussions therefore with the Persian Ministers, I think I shall be able, in
point of right, to support all the measures the British (Government have adopted in occupy
ing the Island of Kishm, when I consider, however, the very heavy expense of supporting
the establishment, the impossibility of employing the troops on any active service in the
Gulf, for four months in the ye ir on account of the excessive heats, the sickness that hai
prevailed there ever since the hot weather commenced, and the inefficiency of the force
arising from that cause alone, I confess, I feel more doubts than I have heretofore done, as to
the expediency and utility of the measure; but as I am aware that different sentiments have ^
been and probably still are, entertained by those who are far more competent to decide than
I am, I be? to offer such a hint with extreme diffidence and with the most perfect conviction
of the fallibility of my own judgment.
(v) QUESTION OF CONTROLLING PIR iTICAL PORTS EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH 1
MARINE FORCE.
258. The Bombay Government bein? desirous of ascertaining the practi
cability of controlling the piratical ports
Volume 26—51 of 1821, page 480. J q ^| ie Gulf of Persia exclusively through
the medium of a marine force, which might render the maintenance of a
military one in that quarter for that purpose unnecessary, requested Henry
Meriton, Superintendent of Marine, to submit his opinion on the subject with a
plan for maintaining a watch and cruize during the period which is favourable
to the prosecution of piracies. Mr. Meriton submitted in his letter No. 336,
dated 26th November 1821, the following observations and suggestions :— ^
I beg to state that after a careful examination of the charts of the Gulf of Persia, and
repeated conferences with Lieutenants Hardy, Grubb, and Robinson, officers wlio have a perfect
knowledge of that navigation, and who have recently returned from that station, it appears
that the principal ports from which piratical vessels are most likely to be fitted out, and from
which they can most readily get to sea, are the following on the Arabian Coast, namely. Rump,
Ras-ul-kima, Sharga and Deboy.
S. The above four ports extending from the 25th to 26th degrees of latitude and occupy
a range of coast of about 70 miles, and as they are all easy of access, I think they might be
guarded in the following manner. That there should be three cruisers (one of each class)
constantly cruising in the face of these ports, and visiting them all from time to time, when
it would be seen if any preparations were going on in the equipment of vessels, and, if so,
that it should be unequivocally ascertained, on what service they were meant to be employed.
One of the three cruisers might as occasion require proceed to the Island of Khen for
water and refreshment, leaving the other two on the watch and cruising as before stated. I
say the Island of Khen as a station from which the cruiser could return immediately to her ^
consorts if wanted on emergency, as the prevailing winds (north-westerly) would enable the
cruisers to navigate to and from the Island of Klien to the piratical ports at all seasons of the
year, and if a small depot of stores with the gun-boats under the care of a marine officer
(present master attendant at Kishm) and a detail of sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. (say 20) could be kept at Khen
for the refit and supply of those cruisers, they would be able to keep their cruising
ground during the whole of these months in which the pirates would put to sea, were they to
fit out vessels for that purpose. I therefore conceive that the distribution of the Honourable
Company's cruisers in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. might be as follows :— Ihree {one of each class) to
cruise y and watch, in face of the piratical ports before mentioned. Iwo, for the purpose of
navigating and giving convoy if required hettoeen Maskat and Bushire and Bussorah, and
with despatches or for other purposes. One, to run to Bombay with packets, etc., as occasion
may require.