‘File 28/14 War. Ship warrant scheme’

Content

The file comprises correspondence and other papers relating to the implementation of a Ship’s Warrant Scheme by the Government of India, intended to restrict access to British port facilities during wartime to vessels that are either British, or belong to the British Commonwealth, the United States, or Britain’s allies. Vessels without a warrant would be subject to delays and inconveniences in relation to the provision of pilots and berths at British ports.

The file includes:

• copies of telegrams and extracts of letters, issued by the Government of India’s Commerce Department, relating to the implementation and rules of the Ship’s Warrant Scheme, including: detail of what countries were included/excluded from the scheme (ff 7-9); copies of the warrant, with its wording (ff 20-21); the sale of Admiralty charts under the warrant scheme (f 16); treatment of vessels without warrants (ff 24-25); changes to status of Greek, Japanese and Russian vessels in relation to the scheme and progress of the War; expiration and renewal of warrants (f 52); enforcement of the warrant scheme at Bahrain by the Bahrain port authorities and Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. (f 54), including an official note announcing that provision of commercial shipping facilities at Bahrain cannot be given without prior reference to the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. (f 57); reports suggesting that enemy exports are being transported to Japan on board the Japanese naval vessel Asaka Maru , which should not enter a British port unless it submits to examination for enemy exports (f 60);
• correspondence between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman; Major Reginald George Evelin William Alban), the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Roger Anthony Kennedy), and tanker owners (including the Balboa Tanker Corporation and the Foreign Tankship Corporation), concerning the issue of warrants for oil tankers at Bahrain.

Extent and format

1 file (79 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end. The file notes at the end of the file (ff 75-80) mirror the chronological arrangement. An index at the front of the file (f 2) lists subjects covered in the file, with page numbers that refer to the file’s original (uncircled pencil) foliation system.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 81; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. An additional incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-74; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. Pagination: the file notes at the back (ff 75-80) have been paginated using pencil.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/R/15/2/700

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/14

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Jul 1940-16 Aug 1941 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Second World War (1939-1945)ShippingShipping regulations

People & organisations

Bahrain Petroleum Company, Chief Local RepresentativeAsaka Maru

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‘File 28/14 War. Ship warrant scheme’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/700, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00005d> [accessed 8 May 2024]

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