'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎86r] (171/344)

Part V-Chap. XXXV.
151
CHAPTER XXXV.
WITHDRAWAL OF THE DETACHMEXT FRO^I THE RISHM
ISLAND.
IXSTUDCTIOXS REGARDING MARITIME CONTROL OVER
THE PIRATE COAST.
REXDEZVOtS OF THE NAVY $ AT MOGOO BAY SHIFTED TO
BASSIDORE- 1833-1833.
292 The following instructions were issued on 20th Jsovemher 1 ; 22 to the
Senior Officer, Honourable Company's
Vol.91 of 1822,p. 321. Marine in the Persian Gulph, tor the
arrangement and distribution of the force under his orders for guarding
against piracies and being watchful of the vessels navigating those seas :—
It being intended to bring down the garrison, and the whole of the llritish EstahHsh-
ment from the Island of Kishm to Bombay, as also to withdraw We Honourable Company's
cruisers from that station, it has been deemed expedient to make the port of Muscat the general
rendezvous for the Honourable Company's cruizers accordingly.
As when the military force shall have left Kishm it will become douV)ly incumbent on
the Honourable Company's marine not only to be watchful of those ports from which pira
tical vessels were formerly fitted but to be vigilantly alert in keeping down piracies in every
part of the Persian Gulph, and in order more effectually to obtain this desirable end, it will
be necessary to make such a division of the cruisers as may be best calculated for the purpose.
I therefore recommend the following arrangement as the most efficacious manner of
employing the force under your orders.
Contemplating tliat you will have six of the Honourable Company's cruisers for the
service of the Persian Gulph {exclusive of the two surveying vessels).
I conceive the e should be three of the cruisers (one of each class) constantly cruizing
off the Ports of Rumps, Kasselkyma, Shaqra and Dubay, and that a fourth should be frequently
out and in the Port of Muscat during those mouths that the pirates (if any) would put to
sea.
That a fifth cruiser be passing from Muscat to Bushire and Bussorah in order to give
convoy or convey despatches from the one port to the other.
And that the sixth vessel be sent to Bombay with despatches or other emergent
occasion or for refit as might be required.
As the successfully guarding the Gulph and preventing piracies in that navigation will
oreatly depend and watchful observation of the movements of the inhabitants in the ports
on the Arabian shore.
The Commanders of Cruisers should frequently repair to the ports of the Arabs who are
parties to the Treaty negotiated by Sir William Keir, and land for the purpose of ascertaining
how they conform to its stipulations and be careful to conduct themselves with the utmost
decree of cordiality and conciliation towards the Chiefs. If any appearance of the renewal of
piracy should manifest itself, he should in the first instance remonstrate with the Chief and
require its discontinuance, failing in which, measures must be adopted for destroying any
armed boats that may be found at the port, but no operation is under any circumstances to
be carried on shore.
Should the Commander in his visits to the ports beforementioned observe any vessels
building, or equipping which he may conceive of a suspicious description, he will report the
circumstances to you and it must be your care to have a watchful eye over such port and
prevent such vessel making her escape to sea maintaining a constant communication on all
subjects of importance with the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in the Gulph.
On all occasions of examining vessels at sea to avoid delay or unnecessary interruption
to the fair and licensed trader, and in cases where suspicion attaches, the crews should be
treated with mildness and moderation unless by violence on their part they induce severity in
part of the cruizers.
Should any vessel be detained on the grounds of her being piratically employed, imme
diate notice of the case with all its attendant circumstances should be communicated to the
Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in the <iulph and his sentiments obtained as to the disposal of such vessel, and
you are yourself and all the Commanders of the Honourable Company's cruisers in the Gulph
to attend to all instructions from the Resident in the Persian Gulph.
As it is most desirable that the marine force should be kept at all times as efficient as
practicable, it is recommended that not more than one cruiser be sent to Bombay at the
same time (unless on a case of emergency) and at the return to the Gulph of such cruiser the
next in order of refit be sent when occasion may requirp.
You will be careful to keep me informed of your proceedings and those of the Honourable
Company's cruizers under your orders from time as occasions may offer.