"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [و‎‎١‎١‎٤] (٣٩٦/٢٣٤)

POR THE YEAR 1917.
55
APPENDIX.
PROCEEDINGS OF HIS MAJESTY'S SHIPS IH THE PEESIAN GULP 1ST
JANUARY TO 31ST DECEMBER 1917.
On January 1st, 1917, the Persian Gulf Squadron, under Commodore D. St. A. Wake,
(5 H consisted of H. M. S. "Juno," " Philomel," "Lawrence,^ "Bramble,"
" Pyramus/' Britomart, " " Mozaffir " and the armed launch " Azerbaijan, " the Squadron
being divided equally between North and South as in 1916.
All along the coasts the situation remained peaceful, and in January " Juno" came South
owing to the possibility of raiders approaching the Gulf.
At the end of January H. M. S. " Philomel " was detached from the Squadron, and went
home to pay-ofE.
On 22nd February it was found necessary to move all ships except " Mozaffir ^ South
for escort and patrol duties, and this disposition continued until the commencement of June,
when patrol and escort was abandoned.
On 2Uth April the Persian Gulf and Mesopotamia were combined as one command under
Rear- Admiral" Drury St. A. Wake, C B.. C.I.E. The Persian Gulf Division was orga-
ized on similar lines as before, i.e., with a senior officer in the Northern and Southern
.. i -n. i parts, and Mesopotamia under a senior officer.
In August H. M. S. " Pjramus e t e Rear-Admiral making Basrah his head-
staticn. quarters.
The Mesopotamian Division consisted of H. M. S. "Dalhousie" (with Rear-Admiral's
"Proserpine,^ Alert, ^ and twenty-two gunboats with H. M.S. " Scotstoun"
as Repair-ship.
On 24th June Rear-Admiral Ernest F. A. Gaunt, C.B., C M.G., relieved Vice-Admiral
Sir Rosslyn E. Wemyss, K.C.B., C.M.G., M.V.O., in command of the East Indies Squadron.
A "light disturbance occurred at Lingah due to the arbitrary conduct of a Mullah,
but a visit bv the Rear-Admiral in H. M. S. "Lawrence" and subsequent visits
from one or two vessels stopped all further trouble and later on the Mullah was removed by
His Excellency Darya Begi, and deported. . T .
A wireless telegraph station has now been erected at Lingah.
With the above exception the inhabitants of the Coast Ports have been quite peace
able.
The utility of visits of men -of-war to these ports was emphasized by the rumours that
spread in consequence of the absence of the squadron on patrol and escort work-^ , a
report from Lingah stated that H. M, S. "Juno" had been sunk by the Germans in
consequence of the measures taken by her on the Shibkuh coast in the previous year !
The French Government godown has been lent temporarily to the British., and is now
used for the storage of oil in tins for the Inland Water Transport vessels proceeding to Basrah.
This is a great convenience.
Heniam is beino- largely used for bunkering transports from and to Basrah, and when the
pier i^eomj™eted its utility as a. ooal depot will be greatly inereased Two new tanks have
been constructed, and these should solve the difficulty of the water supply.
The Island of Kharag, to the northward of Bushire, has become of much importance in
providing large quantities of very good stone to Basrah. Excellent relations exist between
the inhabitants and the British.
A temporary wireless telegraph station has been erected on the Island. ^
His Excellency Bear-Admiral E. F, A. Gaunt, C.B., C.M.G., visited the Pers.an Gulf
and Mesopotamia between 6th September and 28th September 191 7,
Heajam, Bnshire, Basrah, Bandar Abbas, Jasl and K.shm in H.M.b. No.thbrook.
He also visited various places on the ligris up to Lagr da . _ _ ,
H.M.S. "Dufferin" replaced H.M.S. "Juno" in the Persian Gulf on 3rd November
m7 The composition of the Squadron on 30th Ueoember w f. . H ,?[ n f te
" Lawrence " " Bramble " " Britomart," " Mozaffir " and Azerbaijan m the Persian i.uir
and " Balhousie (flying flag of Bear- Admiral), "Proserpine," "Alert," and nver gnnboats
in Ta 0 ppd m riist of the v,sits made by His Majesty's ships at the various ports in the
wilfbe of interest to note that Ojar is among the names. An 0 f 'he
passage from Bahrain to Ojar is now supplied to His Majesty's ships and nav.gation is com
paratively easy for ships of 12 feet draft.
P. ST. A. WAKE,
Basrah : |
The 8th January 1918, )