'History of the Indian Navy. (1613-1863).' [‎16] (35/622)

16 HISTORY OF THE INDIAN NAVY.
who were only second to the Joasmi in point of numbers and
importance. Already, in the years 1827 and 1833, the lawless
unsafe; Teasels drawing fourteen feet of water, are obliged to lie a mile and
a-half off the shore, and are completely exposed to the violence of the north-westers.
Abu. Ihubi is one of the most prosperous town on the coast, containing about
20,000 souls, and, during the pearl-fishery, upwards of 600 boats visit the banks
each carrying from seven to fifteen men. The soil is arid, and unproductive, and
the water brackish, all the good water being brought from Debaye, and sold at
about one keran or franc for two goat-skins. Abu Thubi is consequently
dependent upon other places for its supplies of provisions, and is soon reduced to
great distress by anything like an effective blockade. The original seat of the
x>eni Yas, which is divided into several families, like that of other Arabian tribes,
was in Nejd, but on leaving that part of Arabia, the larger portion of the tribe
being composed of Bedouins, resided in the interior, and tended their flocks and
herds ; but some few individuals, reduced to poverty by the loss of their cattle,
took up their abode on the shores of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , on the line of coast
between Debaye, about seven miles from Sharjah, and a short distance from the
present site of the town of Abu Thubi. The first establishment t ook place about
the year 1761. The intelligence of water having been found, quickly spread
through the tribe; and before two years had elapsed, the place had increased to
lour hundred houses.
IV? 95 !. a ^ e r the usual Arab family feuds, during which the candidates for
Cmeiship frequently took one another's lives. Sheikh Shakboot assumed undis
puted possession of the chief authority in the tribe, and continued at its head
until 1816, in which year, his eldest son, Mahomed bin Shakboot, succeeded in
deposmg him. Mahomed remained as Sheikh for two years, when his younger
brother, Tahnoon, having received a baghalah, together with a considerable sum of
money, from the Imaum, returned from Muscat to Abu Thubi, and, with the
assistance of his father, and goodwill of the majority of the tribe, succeeded in
expelling the usurper in 1818. For some time after this event both father and
son acted together as heads of the tribe, but gradually the authoritv of Sheikh
lahnoon became superior. To this alteration in their respective relations,
fehakboot appears to have submitted quietly, as he continued to reside in Abu
Ihubi and its neighbourhood, and was at all times employed by Tahnoon in
negotiating affairs of importance. Mahomed bin Shakboot, his elder brother,
with some difficulty, saved his life by flight, and taking refuge in Biddah, claimed
e protection of Abdoolla bin Ahmed, the Chief of Bahrein. Until this period
the Bern Yas had always been the close and intimate allies of the Joasmis, but the
connection formed by Sheikh Tahnoon with the Imaum of Muscat, gradually
weakened the friendship existing between the two tribes, until at length a total
change ensued m their relations, and they became bitter enemies. In 1820, the Beni
Yas tribes were admitted members of the Greneral Treaty concluded by the British
Government with the Maritime Arabs of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , for the effectual sup
pression of piracy m that sea. Towards the end of 1823, Sheikh Tahnoon's brother,
Mahomed bm Shakboot having collected a body of the Monasir tribe, attacked
and plundered Abu Thubi. The former immediately marched with 1,500 men to
reheve the town, and after an action which lasted some hours, Mahomed was
forced to retreat, having lost thirty-five men. In November, 1827, Sultan bin
feuggur declared war against Tahnoon, on account of his continual aggressions.
Among these was the seizure of several Shargah pearl boats by the Governor of
e aye, w o, owever, was compelled, by the prompt and efficient measures taken
by the othcer commanding the Company's vessel of war cruising on the pearl
banks, to restore both the vessels and cargo. Agreeably to the arrangement pre
vious y ma e with the Imaum, Sheikh Tahnoon joinedliis Highness with a large
contmgent m October, 1828, and accompanied the expedition against Bahrein,
w uc in failure, owing, it is believed, to a secret understanding between
the Bem Yas chief and the Sheikh of Bahrein.
1 0 i CtS 0 S . committed by the Beni Yas tribe in Julv and September,
1828, which resulted m a blockade of Abu Thubi, in the following year by the
Joasnus. At length Sheikh Tahnoon gave refuge to some Joasmis who had
plundered a boat belonging to an English subject, which resulted in the dispatch