'PERSIAN GULF AND GULF OF OMAN. RESOURCES AND COAST DEFENCES.' [‎46] (52/114)

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46 PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .—RESOURCES AMD DEFENCES.
Telegraph.— The cable station for Bushire is at Reshire
(5 miles to the S.). There are cables to Fao and Cape Jashk
(see pp. 33 and 60).
There is a land line from Bushire to Teheran (675 miles, with
3 wires), which is worked by the British " Indo-European Tele
graph Department in Persia."
The extension from Teheran to Julfa on the Russo-Persian
frontier (4)5 miles, with three wires) is worked by the British
" Indo-European Telegraph Company, Limited."
Defences. The town stands on a rocky ridge which does not exceed
40 feet in height. The highest building is a large wind tower,
the top of which is 90 feet above the sea.
There are, at present, no modern defences against attack from
the sea.
In October 1902 there were four modern guns (believed to
be two 21 cm. and two 12 cm. guns), lying in the custom house.
There were various rumours as to their destination. In
February 1903 it was stated officially that "the three guns"
(the fourth was not mentioned), were to be mounted, one each
at Bushire, Lingah, and Bunder Abbas for saluting purposes (!).
There are no modern land defences. The S. side of the town
is in ruins. S. of these is the town wall, about 30 feet high,
5 to 6 feet thick, and half a mile long. Distributed along the
wall are 12 towers (two of which form the main gate), all
pierced for musketry. There is a second gate in the wall, but
it is not stated where.
At the E. end of the wall is a square fort in which is the
residence of the Persian governor.
Inside the W. end of the wall is the British Residency—a
large and convenient building surrounded by a wall—close to
the beach.
The wall does not appear to be of much use as a defence,
but it might possibly be utilised to prevent the town being
rushed. In 1857 the British constructed a line of redoubts
across the isthmus S. of the town, but these have disappeared.
{See Appendix, p. 86.)
Garrison. I n 1898 the Persian garrison consisted of 400 regular troops
and some field guns.
Note. —At the beginning of the Persian War (1856-57),
General Havelock landed at Halila Bay (10 miles S. of
Bushire), on 7th December 1856, and advanced N. along the
coast, co-operating with the fleet. After severe fighting at
Reshire, he arrived in front of Bushire, which surrendered on
10th December 1856. Only a few shells were fired, and no
serious defence was attempted by the Persians.
^ The troops then encamped due S. of the town gate and close
N. of duffra, where good water was found in sufficient
quantities.