"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٦‎٥‎٦] (١٧٨٢/٧٩٩)

656
Naval resour
ces of the
Qawasiru.
Eaids by the
Qawaaim on
the Persian
Coast,
1817-18.
Depredations
on the coast
of India.
Escape of a
Qasitni fleet
at Gwatar,
December
1818.
thoug-h some 350 rounds were fired, no visible execution was done.*
The squadron then dispersed, the "Mercury - ''' and "Ariel" beino-
detailed to visit Sharjah, Ling-eh and Cbarak on a mission
similar to that performed at Rae-al-Khaimah, while the "Challenger"
convoyed the " Vestal" out of the Gulf, turning back at Masqat to
afford protection to upward-bound vessels.
The piratical force of the Qawasim at this period was estimated at
60 large boats belonging to Ras-al-Khaimah, carrying from 80 to 3U0
men each, besides 40 others of a smaller size distributed over the ports of
Sharjah, Rams, Laft, Lingeh and Charak. At the time of the British
squadron's visit to Ras-al-Klmimah it was understood that the Qawasim
had about 20 vessels actually at sea, of which 15 were then prowling in
the Gulf of 'Oman and 5 in the upper part of the Persian Gulf.
The Government of Bombay, though decisive action against the
Qawasim was now contemplated, were not in a position to take immediate
steps ; and, while they delayed, the temerity of the pirates continued to
increase. In October 1817 a Qasimi fleet made a raid on Shaikh Shu'aib,
burned and plundered the villages at the western end of the island, drove
off all the cattle, and slaughtered a number of the inhabitants. A little
later they entered the roadstead of 'Asalu, captured there 5 large
native Baghlahs worth with their cargoes Rs. 3,00,000, and put the
crews to death. After a stay of 12 days at 'Asalu the pirate fleet made a
demonstration against Kangun and even attacked Daiyir, but they were
repulsed by the inhabitants of the latter place. These outrages, of which
the proximity to Bushehr steadily increased, caused a panic in that town;
and the people were with difficulty restrained by the Governor from taking
flight to the interior.
Simultaneously two native ships, with cargoes of cotton, were taken
by the Qawasim off Diu ; and thereafter the "Mustapha," an Arab
vessel but officered by Englishmen and flying English colours, was cap
tured only 70 miles north of Bombay.
In December 1818 the H.E.I. Company's brigs "Thetis" and
"Psyche/ assisted by H.M.S. " l£den," succeeded in cornering ll 1
piratical Qasimi vessels in Gwatar Bay ; but, time having been allowed
them until the morning, in opposition to the advice of the Company's
officers, they made their escape during the night.
* In these proceedings the local officers appear to have exceeded their iustruction.
Vide Buckingham, pages 497-4i98.