"ملف 351/1904 "الخليج العربي:- تشييد سواري أعلام بريطانية في مسندم" [و‎‎١‎١‎٨] (٤٥٤/٢٤٠)

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4. The temperature of the water at Khor Kawi in July is 2 decrees cooler
than at Basidhu; it is therefore less oppressive, and on about a par with
Aden.
No. 90, dated the 25th November 1904.
From—T, W. Kemp, Commander and Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf
Division,
To— Rear-Admiral Georoe L. Atkinson-Willes, Commander-in-Chief, East
Indies.
I have the honour to report that on 18th November, I received a
request from His Majesty’s Consul at Muscat to erect the flag-staffs at Mussan-
dim in accordance with the wishes of the Indian Government. He also nsked
me to convey Lieutenant Shakespear to Bunder Abbas to take over his political
duties there, and to take him on to Mussandim to be present when the flag-
staffs were put up. Major Grey explained that as the Government of India had
decided that no reference was to be made to the Sultan of Muscat, that he
(Major Grey) had represented to the Government of India that it would be
better that he should have nothing to do with the matter, and that his place
should be taken by Lieutenant Shakespear within whose political sphere Mus
sandim would lie. In this the Government of India assented.
2. I accordingly left the same day, landed Lieutenant Shakespear at
Bunder Abb is on the 20th and embarking him again, arrived at Elphinstone
Inlet next morning.
3. The flag-staffs were erected at—
Elphinstone Inlet,
Telegraph Island,
A1 Ghanam Island.
Eor convenience of reference I propose to call them flag-staffs A., B., C.,
in the above order. Elag-staff A is erected at the eastern end of the
isthmus between Khor-ash-Shen (Elphinstone Inlet) and Kubhat Ghazira
(Malcolm Inlet). It is situated on a ridge about 250 feet high overlooking
both inlets. Further to the west along the isthmus the cliffs are high and pre
cipitous, and in our opinion the site chosen was the best possible, as it is compar
atively easy of access. Flag-staff B is on telegraph island close to the plinth
of the old telegraph buildings. Flag-staff C is in a sandy cove a few hundred
yards north of the south-eastern corner of Ghanam Island. It is quite screened
from view from outside. Anywhere on the hills it could be visible from seaward
and this also applies to the sandy beach under Pier Point. A and B were put up
November 21st, and C on November 22nd.
4. All the flag-staffs were redloaded, freshly painted white and fitted with
cross yards, trucks and halyards. The telegraph poles so fitted make excellent
flag-staffs.
5. On the way back we visited the Sultan of Muscat’s Vali at Khasab and
the head man of Kumzar village, but owing to the decision of the Government
of India referred to in paragraph l* we did not consider it proper to make any
reference to the flag-staffs. I do not think there is much danger of their being
interfered with, but it would be well, if definite arrangements could be made as
soon as possible.
7. I would sugsrest that if possible the Vali of Khasab should be put in
charge of all three, but if we e nploy our own agents it would be convenient if
the guardians of A and B resided at Khasab, and of C at Kumzar.
8. Lieutenant Shakespear disembarked at Bunder Abbas, November 23rd
and I arrived at Muscat the next day.
9. I would respectfully suggest that as Elphinstone Inlet is a fine harbour,
that a sketch survey should be marie of the place on a sufficiently large scale.
Sphinx and R ’dbi'e/st could do this when opportunity offered. Bunder Abbas
is convenient for mails and Henjam for telegrams.
G. I. C. P. 0.—No. 2879 P. D.-14-12-1904.-60.—T. W. L.