'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.' [‎525] (556/582)

HARBOUR OF MUSCAT.
525
and even scrub and wasli themselves in it before coming along
side, so as to leave all the filth and impurities of their skin behind
them. All these causes, though creating no perceptible diiference
in the appearance of the water at the time, need only be mentioned,
to create an objection to this mode of receiving it on board, and to
give a decided preference to filling it in the ship's casks.
It has been before observed, that it is usual for ships to moor
in tiers at Muscat, or, if single, to ride head and stern, as there is
no room in the inner part of the cove to swing. The best anchor,
and the ship's head, should be to the northward, and the stern an
chor to the southward. Neither in entering the harbour, nor in
securing the ship, is any assistance now given by pilots of the port,
nor indeed is it at all necessary, as there are no dangers but those
above water and in sight. It appears that formerly there was a
Serang of the port, who moored the ships, and was allowed a
fixed remuneration for it from the vessel brought in : but this is
not usual now ; though, if assistance were really wanted, or signals
of distress made, they would no doubt be very promptly complied
with. It should be added, that ships wishing to refit here, ought
to be furnished with all the necessary materials on board; as naval
stores of every description are scarce and dear, from their being
altogether foreign produce. Ship-timber is brought to this port
from Malabar; canvass from Bengal; coir from Africa and the
Laccadive islands, and made into rope here ; and anchors and all
smaller stores, as well as guns and ammunition from Bombay. As
the tide rises about five or six feet, light vessels may be hauled on
shore at high-water, and careened, both at Muscat and at Muttrah;
and there are shipwrights and caulkers sufficiently expert in their
arts, to render any assistance that may be needed from them in
that way. Deficiencies in ships' crews may also be made up by
Arab sailors, who are always to be found here, and are unques
tionably braver, hardier, and better seamen than the Lascars A term used by the British officials to describe non-European sailors employed on East India Company ships. ot
India, though they are sometimes more difficult to be kept m
order. On board their own large ships, even the names of the