"تقرير إداري عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج العربي والوكالة السياسية في مسقط عن الفترة ١٨٨٦-١٨٨٧." [و‎‎٣‎٤‎٠] (٦٠/١٣)

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOE 1886.87.
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Abou 200 dhows were me w.th and boarded, but only one vessel was fonnd carrvin.
siaves. Tbs f ow ^ had twenty-one slaves on board, was captured by Her Maiestv^
Ship mMari cn 16tb J™e Most of the dhows examined were found to be in balla t, and
aceonnted for thrs by saymg that they had landed their eargoes further south at Socotra,
Makallah &e. Th.s was probably the truth, and it is more than probable that in man y
instances the cargoes consisted chiefly of slaves.
There can be no doubt that a large number of slaves were shipped from the coast of
Africa during the year, and, by means not fully ascertained, a considerable number reached
the Batinah coast and other parts of Oman.
Her Majesty's ships Woodlarh and Kingfisher cruised from July to 28th October, when
operations ceased.
An extensive a khor " or creek was discovered by Her Majesty's ship Kingfisher near the
village of Sowaih-Beni-bu-Ali.
9.—OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS AND NAVAL ESTABLISHMENT.
Lieutenant-Colonel S. B. Miles held charge of the Residency during the first half of the
official year, and was relieved by Colonel E. C. Ross on 30th October.
Lieutenant-Colonel E. Mockler acted as First Assistant Resident from 1st November to
16th January, when Mr. P. J. C. Robertson relieved him.
Her Majesty's ships served on the station as follows :—
Her Majesty's ship Reindeer joined the station 30th August 1885 and left 2nd June
1886.
Her Majesty's ship Kingfisher joined 26th April 1886, proceeded to Bombay 7th July,
and returned to Persian Gulf station 10th August.
Her Majesty's ship Sphinx joined the station 8th May, proceeded to give leave 1st
August and returned 6th September. Proceeded to Bombay to recommission on
5th March 1887, and has since returned to the station.
Her Majesty's ship Woodlark joined 2nd June and left 11th December.
Her Majesty's ship Osprey joined 25th January.
Captain Rainier, Her Majesty's ship Kingfisher, was senior naval officer until he left in
April on promotion, and the duties of senior officer devolved on Captain Gissing
of Her Majesty's ship Osprey.
Rear Admiral Sir F. Richards, K.C.B., visited Muscat and the Persian Gulf in April,
and was received with due courtesy and attention by the Muscat and Persian
authorities.
10.—OBSERVATORY—CLIMATE.
The usual observations have been recorded, and the results are shown in the annexed
tables.
The rainfall of 1886-87 has been very scant, but the harvest will probably be equal to
that of the previous year, which was at the last much damaged by rust.
The "Barih" shemal blew from May to 10th July, after which extreme heat was expe
rienced for about one month.
The winter was very fine and few heavy gales blew, but the autumn and early winter
season was sickly in Bushire, and rate of mortality unusually high.
CELEBRATION OF HER MAJESTY'S JUBILEE YEAR.
In accordance with orders received from the Government of India, Her Majesty's Jubilee
was celebrated in the Persian Gulf and at Muscat on 16th February by illummations and
ceremonial observances. The enthusiasm displayed by all classes on the occasion ^ gmti y-
ing, and in many cases. Arab and Persian subjects joined m testrfying their hearty good-will.
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