'File 14/115 VII Annex (B 9) Abu Musa oxide: collected background material on the case' [‎497r] (1038/1904)

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Extract from a letter Wo. ■ ip** dntrf 1 tja^ ^th Pcptembpr
from W. Guthrie, Esouire, Commanding I.G.P. "May Frere" to
Captain IT.P. Prideaux, Dffg. Fblltical Peaident in the Persian
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Birre© Island Is ^ miles lOrg east and west, P miles
broad east end, tapering off to on© mile at west end. This
end is more broken fhn the east end, hillocks and table land,
no trees. On the southside near the eastern end is a small
village of late construction, 40 to 50 mat huts, 90 stone
huts. The anchoring ground is within one quarter of a mile of
of this village.
A mile north of this viIftge are the ruins of the old settle
ment rather asxtensive, her-® Is also a small date grove. There
are several clumps o^ pretty large Banyan Merchant of Indian extraction. trees also wild almond
trees, numerous wells, also some large fields enclosed with
stone. Present inhabitants are thinking about bringing these
under cultivation again. w hy the n 1 ace had been abandoned by
former inhabitants, none could tel 1 r rumour on Pirate Coast, was
they had been cut off many years ago by the pirates!. At time of
our visit there were only 7 men on the island with their wives,
3 at village on beach, 4 at date grove. They Informed us there
were 600 in all, 300 men had gone to the Psarl Banks in op boats
belonging to the Island. Women and children had gone to Lingah
and Minow for the hot weather. They had built two new pearl
boats at the island last year, materials brought from Lingah.
There were seven small fishing boats hauled up on the b«ach,
during the fnow ,| pearl season they catch fiph with these boats
near the island. They had pretty large flocks of goats and sheep
00 cows, some with calves, there were 7 0 donkeys, these they
breed and dispose of at Lingah. Breed is very small. They had
no horses or camels, Pome of the water in the w Is was clear as
crystal and very good, all wns better than Busbire'water that I
tasted
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