‘File 28/37 Dhow launches &c. for war purposes’

Content

The file comprises correspondence relating to miscellaneous calls and requests for dhows and other watercraft, to perform various tasks related to wartime measures, including: transport of war equipment; use as floating craft platforms for wireless observation equipment; to assist in importing provisions to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. from India. The file’s principal correspondents are: the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior); and 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 (Edward Birkbeck Wakefield).

The file includes:

• enquiries made in April 1942 into the availability at Bahrain and the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. of large dhows or lighters, for use in the assembly of trucks bound for Russia at Bushire (ff 2-6);
• correspondence from May and June 1942 relating to the charter from Kuwait by the Royal Air Force, of twelve dhows to be used as floating wireless observation units (WOUs) that will be arranged in a line between the Iranian and Qatar coasts, including a preliminary enquiry into the scheme by Herbert Bainbrigge Russell, Air Commodore Commanding No.215 Group, RAF Iraq, and notice from 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 Kuwait (Major Tom Hickinbotham) of two vessels bound from Kuwait to Bahrain (ff 8-16);
• copies of correspondence dated 1942 relating to recommendations to encourage more sailing dhows to ply their trade between the Gulf of Aden and India, including an exhortation to the use of sailing boats over oil- and coal-powered vessels, written by Brian Joseph Hartley, Agricultural Officer at Aden, dated 4 April 1942 (ff 20-21);
• correspondence dated November 1942 following an order made by the Ruler of Kuwait [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ], for all Kuwaiti dhows not carrying dates to operate between India and the Gulf ports (chiefly Kuwait, Bahrain and Muscat) as a means of supporting trade and maintaining supply of vital provisions (f 23, ff 29-33, ff 36-38);
• correspondence relating to an order, made by the Naval Officer at Bahrain in October 1942, for two second-hand wooden skiffs, the price of which was considered too excessive, and the matter subsequently dropped (ff 25-28, ff 34-35);
• correspondence dated June 1943 relating to the sale of dhows formerly used for mine watching (ff 41-44);
• a circular letter from the Naval Officer in Charge at Bahrain, dated 9 October 1943, requesting a report of all motor launches at Bahrain (f 45), prompting a letter from the Manager of Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) at Bahrain, Ernest Vincent Packer, dated 17 October 1943, expressing concern that their motor launch, used to ferry company supplies between Bahrain and Qatar, might be seized by the naval authorities at Bahrain (f 46).

Extent and format

1 file (49 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 47-50) mirror the chronological arrangement.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 51; 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 foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-50; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

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/15/2/731

Former external reference(s)

Confidential Files: 28/37

History of this record

Date(s)

26 Apr 1942-17 Oct 1943 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

MotorboatsBoatsFood supplyBarges

Places

Kuwait

People & organisations

Political Resident, Persian GulfRAF, No. 215 General Reconnaissance Group, IraqAgricultural Officer, AdenPolitical Agent, KuwaitEmir of Kuwait

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

‘File 28/37 Dhow launches &c. for war purposes’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/2/731, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00007f> [accessed 25 April 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00007f

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000241.0x00007f/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content