'File 59/15 C (A 15) Muscat Miscellaneous' [‎106r] (218/508)

[ConSdentfal.]
No. 175, dated Bushire, the 16th (received 24th) April 1905.
From—M ajor P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Officiating Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian
T0-S - \ r F eig A n D^Senu 1 ®-' t0 the Go v"nment of India in the
In accordance with Foreign Department letter No. 2S43-E..A., dated the
10th August .904, 1 have the honour to submit my views on the subject of a ds
to navigation in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . J
I have to express regret that for the reason explained in my letter No 6,
of the 4th February 1905, 1 have not been in a position to do so before. '
2. The Government of India were of opinion, and on general "rounds it
is not open to doubt, that a lighthouse at or near Ras Mussandam is of more
importance than the provision of a light at Maskat. I, therefore, refer to this
question_ first. The point for consideration- as regards Mussandam is the
precise sue on which the light should be placed. In this connection I have
recently consulted confidentially the commanders of several ships and have
personally examined the locality. Some suggest the north-east point of
Mussandam Island, but the majority are. in favour of the Great Quoin, and
bearing in mind that the important object to achieve is that the light should be
equally useful to ships coming from the north as well as from the south, and
that this would be best met by the Great Quoin, which in other respects appears
to be inappreciably less convenient than Mussandam, I would recommend that
the Great Quoin be selected as the site for any lighthouse which may be oro-
jected for this locality.
3. Next in importance to the above, the provision of a similar light at
Maskat or on one of the islands of Tamb, Farur or Kais, claims consideration.
From the point of view of navigation simply, i should be inclined to give
priority of claim to the island light, but from a combined political and nautical
standpoint, I am of opinion that Maskat is the more important.
For the latter place, it is recommended that a fixed white light or 20'
flash light be placed on Maskat island, at or near the place where the British
India Steam Navigation Company's flagstaff now is, and that there should also be
two leading lights, so placed as to enable ships to reach their anchorage in har
bour at any and all hours. 4 The additional lights would be similar in construc
tion to the ordinary ship's side-lights, shielded where necessary.
4. In considering the question of a light on Tamb, Farur or Kais, it is
to be noted that this would be chiefly for the convenience of ships coming down
the Gulf, as the Mussandam light would enable up-going ships to verify their
course with regard to the islands ahead. Coming down the Gulf from Bushire,
there is nothing to guide a ship after nightfall, and it is little short of phenomenal
and a standing credit to British navigation, that so many fast ships habitually
traverse this course without mishap. The three sites mentioned as suitable
are, the north end of Tamb, the north end of Farur, or the south centre of Kais.
The fact that these are variously recommended by equally expert men would
seem to indicate that there is not much to choose between them, but, for the
purposes of the accelerated mail service, and presuming that there be a light
at Mussandam, I am advised that Kais would certainly be the best site.
These lights should one and all be of such a strength and nature as to be
readily recognisable for what they are on being sighted by navigators. For
this purpose, experts have informed me that a light visible at 20 miles distance
would be desirable, preferably a flash light.
5. The above are the three most important requisites clearly recognised
by all navigators as being essential to facilitate the navigation of Gulf waters.
In conclusion, I may mention that lights wonld be welcomed at the follow
ing other ports of call and in the positions as stated :—
(1) Bahrein islands ... ... at the north end of Muharrag island.
(2) Bushire ... ... ... at Reshire or Ras Halileh.
(3) Koweit ... ... ... at the south end of Failaka island.
(4) Shatt-el -Arab ... ... alight at Fao, or a gas buoy or light
ship where the outer buoy now is.
G, C. Press, Simla.--.No. C 81 F. D.—ag-vos.—67.-R. S. W.