'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎467] (498/582)

ISLAND OF SURDY. 407
Bahrein, and one whose life had been passed in sailing on
these seas for the last fifty years. They have been thought the
more worthy of preservation, as they are in general unknown to
even the present navigators of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , who are all
afraid to approach this shore, from having no charts or infor
mation regarding it; though the Arab pilots assert the possibi
lity of making a passage up through all the islands, and inside
most of them. As, from the excessive heat of the low and barren
deserts, even in the depth of winter, the land and sea-breezes
prevail on the Arabian shore, a vessel might possibly make a
passage by the aid of these; while the strong north-west winds,
which prevail for nine months in the year on the opposite coast,
are exceedingly difficult to beat up against.
At sun-set on the evening of the 24th, after seeing the Arabian
coast, we tacked off it in thirty-five fathoms; and, going seventeen
miles to the northward, tacked on again, in forty-two fathoms
water, on a moderately soft bottom.
Nov. 25th. At sun-rise we had gone about six leagues on a
true east-south-east course, when we saw the small island of Surdy,
its centre bearing north half-west, distant three leagues, and our
soundings Measurements of the depth of a body of water. in thirty-five fathoms water.
This island is in about the latitude of 25° 50'. north, nearly
nine leagues to the westward of Bomosa, and eight leagues to the
southward of Polior, according to Horsburgh. It is said to be
about six miles in length, from north-east to south-west, and not
more than four miles broad. From the north-west end, a reef of
rocks is reported to run out two miles from the shore ; but the
southern part of the island, on which the town is situated, is said
to be clear, and safe to approach. There are three hills on the
island, two of them near each other; and the third, which is the
highest, at a considerable distance to the southward of them. Ott
the town, at the southern side of the island, there is said to be
good anchorage ; and it is added, that water and refreshments may
be obtained at a cheap rate.
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