‘Euphrates Steam Expedition’

Content

This item consists mostly of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai]. It is the first of two items on the subject of the Euphrates expedition of 1835-37 (the other item is IOR/F/4/1701/68746).

The item concerns the latter stages of the Euphrates expedition and the decision of the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. to continue the expedition beyond its originally-assigned duration. It mostly consists of reports and letters prepared by Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition. The topics covered are:

• The ascent and descent of the Tigris river as far as Bagdad [Baghdad] by the Euphrates steamer, from September to October 1836
• The ascent and descent of the Euphrates river by the Euphrates steamer, from October to November 1836, including the damage suffered to one of the engines and the arrangements made for the mail being carried by the steamer to be conveyed onwards to Britain
• Local reactions to the expedition
• The activities of the Euphrates following the departure of Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition, including the ascent and descent of the Karoon [Karun] river, and the return to Bagdad
• The assessments of Chesney and other members of the expedition of their achievements, and their recommendations for maintaining steamers on the Euphrates.

Extent and format

1 item (63 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 86 and terminates at f 148, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/1701/68745

History of this record

Date(s)

14 Oct 1836-17 Dec 1836 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bom Mar 12 Sep 1838, draft 538/1838, IOR/E/4/1063 p 553. See also IOR/F/4/1669/66831

Subjects

Euphrates Expedition (1835-1837)River navigation

Places

BagdadEuphrates RiverKaroon RiverTigris River

People & organisations

Government of BombayEuphratesFrancis Rawdon Chesney

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Cite this record in your research

‘Euphrates Steam Expedition’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1701/68745, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001865.0x0001d0> [accessed 2 July 2026]

Link to this record

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