ملاحظات أُعدت كمرجع خلال جولة كرزون في الخليج الفارسي، وأوراق أخرى عن بلاد فارس والخليج الفارسي [و‎‎١‎٩‎٣] (٦٧٨/٣٨٥)

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Dated Port Louis, the 1st September 1900 (Confidential).
From—His Excellency Reab-Admiral D. H. Bosanq,tjet, Commander-in-Chief,
Her Majesty’s Naval Forces, East Indian Station,
To—The Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
With reference to my letter of 28th July last, I have the honour to
forward herewith, for the information of the Government of India, a copy of
a further report containing additional information relating to the ports and
harbours in the Persian Gulf, by Commander Phillipps, H.M.S. Sphinx ”,
Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf, which has been obtained under instructions
received from the Admiralty.
No. 37, dated Maskat, the 21st July 1900 (Confidential).
From— Commander H. A. Phillipps, Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Division,
To His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, East Indian Station.
In continuation of my letter No. 25 of the 5th ultimo, and in compliance
with A, L. No. 73 of 5th April 1900, I have the honour to report that I have
visited the two remaining ports in the Persian Gulf, viz .—
Khor Kawi and Khor ash Shem situated on the western side of Mussendam
Promontory. The former is not at all suitable as a harbour for the purpose of
forming a naval and coaling station, but would form a convenient shelter
for small craft and torpedo boats, who could use Khor ash Shem as a base.
Khor ash Shem is a splendid land-locked harbour with a narrow winding
entrance, and, having very deep water, would accommodate any number of
large ships, the best anchorage being in a bay south of Telegraph Island.
Defence. —The entrance could be defended by one or two forts and by
mines.
Suitability as a Naval Station.—Very good, but the climate from July to
September would be very trying to Europeans. A plentiful supply of good
water can be obtained by sinking artesian wells.
For coaling purposes. —It would make an excellent coaling station, but
sheds and piers would have to be built and lighters provided.
The Eastern Telegraph Company had a station on an island in the harbour
in 1869, but it had to be abandoned owing to the heat. Eor purposes of control
of the Gulf its position is very good.
Foreign Office Presu-^No. 2001—26 - 9"00—60,