File 3208/1908 Pt 2 ‘Persian Gulf: Fuwairat piracy case’ [‎27v] (52/60)

The evidence that the Persian had offered rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. hundred, and that the
headman had said “ I do not want your money,” is too absurd to require
comment.
8. The Nakhoda stated that he had purchased the Boom for Es. 2,000 last
year, but he has failed to produce the Sanad, although I told him to do so. In
my opinion it was not worth more than Es. 1 , 200 .
He has left the sails, mast, bowsprit, rudder, and one or two other portable
necessities, whose total value may be assessed at Es. 350 , in trust with a man at
Gharriah.
On boats the loss to the Nakhoda may be estimated at not less than
Es. 150 .
On firewood the loss may be estimated at Es. 280 .
The total loss is therefore approximately Es. 2 , 000 .
The gain to the people of Puwairat is, however, only Es. 1,100 estimating
the wood in the Boom at about Es. 300 . The extra payment of Es. 900 will,
I think, be sufficient punishment as they are a poor tribe, and I consider it is
advisable to act with firmness but without harshness.
9 . To recover the fine I propose to send the enclosed letter to Mohamed
bin Abdul Eahman, and I trust the steps will meet with approval.
Combined statement of Esa bin Rabi, Abdullah bin Jabar, Ajlan, Gaith bin Mohamed bin
Abdul Rahman.
The Persian Boom arrived at Puwairat and anchored under the cliffs.
There was no damage done to the Boom when she arrived. They then landed
their goats in a small jolly-boat they had with them. We did not land any
of their goats. The owner then sold the goats. The next day they changed the
position of their Boom and took it to the proper harbour. None of us were on
the Boom at the time of the change. They brought the Boom into the
proper harbour with the small jib sail, but it stuck the reef as the firewood load
was very heavy and a hole was made in the boat. They threw out anchors.
The Nakhoda then placed a black flag as a sign of distress and came off himself
in his small jolly-boat. We gave him a small Mashwa to bring off the firewood
and most of it was brought off in this, but the owner brought off some in his
jolly-boat. The villagers brought off the remainder on their backs. The owner
sold the firewood at Es. 120 a Qara, and sold the goats for Es. 10 to Es. 14 per
pair. He placed the unsold firewood in a boat whose Nakhoda was Hassan
bin Esa A 1 Mohammadi and who was going to Bahrain. The Persian did not
ask Mohamed bin Abdul Eahman to have the Boom mended. He said he
would give Es. 100 to have it brought ashore. Mohamed said “ I do not want
the 100 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. ” and he sent men to bail out the water and to stop up the hole
with the sail. He did not send carpenters as the boat was under water and they
could not have worked. After many efforts they were unable to brino* it
ashore and after three days work left it. Gaith bin Mohamed, Jabar bin Gaith,
Ali bin Shahin went off in a small mashwa to the Boom to give them permis
sion to land as this is the custom here.
E. O. and A. C.
C. P. MACKENZIE, Captain,
' Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Bahrain. 1
1 began to ask a few questions of Gaith bin Mohamed and he said that
when he arrived the Nakhoda was swimming to land, and he appeared to be
ready to give me the facts of the case when every one in the room shouted
No No, and it was explained that he had not much sense. He then got
up and left the room amid roars of laughter.