‘Report on the administration of the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Muscat Political Agency for 1884-85.’ [‎22v] (40/130)

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ADMINISTEATION EEPOET OF THE PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. POLITICAL
In the meantime the English landed their cargoes at Jask, and on the 28th December,
having determined on renewing the contest, anchored within a cable and a half of their opponents
and opened a heavy broadside fire. The action continued until 3 p.m ., w len t e ortu^uese
cut their cables and steered off. The English then remained in undisturbed possession of
Jask, the Portuguese being no more seen.
In the following May the English fleet left Surat, whither it had proceeded in February,
to pass the monsoon at the Island of Maseera, where they arrived on the 2nd June 1621.
On the 6th July they heard that the London was lying at Soor, having watered at Teywee,
where they had lost their Surgeon and Chaplain^s servant, who had been surprised ami taken
prisoners by the Portuguese and Arabs. The Hart and Roehuck therefore left Maseera and
joined the London at Soor on the 6th August, from whence they all returned soon after to
Surat.
On the 14th November of the same year another English expedition, consisting of five
ships and four pinnaces, was despatched from Surat to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. to encounter the Portuguese
fleet and to obstruct their trade. This fleet arrived in sight of Hormuz on the 23rd Decem-
ber, and the result of the expedition was the capture of that fortress and entrepot in conjunc
tion with a Persian army on the 23rd May 1622. This important event was a staggering
blow to the Portuguese and commenced the disruption of their empire in the East.
The Persians had no sooner possessed themselves of Hormuz than they turned their
attention to Muscat and Sohar. The occupation of the latter place appears to have been
easily accomplished, but for the capture of Muscat the aid of a maritime power was requisite,
and negociations were accordingly set on foot with the English commander. Being reluctant
to enter on this service he demanded exorbitant terms; these were that Hormuz should be
given over to the English with half the revenues of the Customs House and city, the English
to maintain four ships there for the protection of trade in the Gulf. The terms were not
acceptable to the Persians, who were as jealous of the English as they had been of the Portu
guese, and preferred to see Hormuz ruined and desolate rather than flourishing in the hands of
infidels. The negociations accordingly fell through, but the English commander was ready to
sell to the Persians, who had determined to carry on the war in Oman alone, a small frigate
which was damaged and of no use to himself. The Persian expedition against Muscat appears to
have taken place in March 1623, for in the next month we find that the Viceroy at Goa de
spatched Ruy Frere deAndrada with six ships to the relief of Muscat and arranged for further
reinforcements to follow from Chaul and Diu to continue the war against the Persians.
Ruy Frere was not only successful in relieving Muscat, but felt strong enough to assume
the offensive and attempt the recovery of Sohar. He proceeded thither with sixteen ships, and,
having landed his men, assaulted the fort, which had been in the meantime strengthened by the
Persians. The first attack was repulsed with a loss of 21 men and 4 officers; he neverthe
less continued to besiege it, and at length the Persians were compelled to capitulate and
marched out with the honours of war. Sohar was razed, and Ruy Frere then sailed on to Khor
Fakan, also held by the Persians, which he soon stormed and took, putting the inhabitants to the
sword.
Euy Frere now determined to proceed with the chief object of his expedition, the recap-
ture of Hormuz. He accordingly established a blockade of the island, which h J maintained
with great vigour and persistency for about six months, and, notwithstanding the inadequacy
of his force, reduced the garrison to such distress from want of provisions that they were
almost on the point of capitulation.
Meanwhile the Viceroy ut Goa was engaged in eolleeting an increase of armament for
there-conqnest of Hormuz, designing, as rnmoui- said (and the slowness of his preparations lent
colour to the slander), to arr.ve in time to reap the glory of its capture after Ruy Frerc had
reduced the defenders to straits. The Viceroy's scheme, however, over-reached itself,' for he pro
crastmatcd so long that Ruy Prcr., being unsupported and in want of provisions himself was
compelled to raise the siege and retire to Muscat.
.. ^ Tr ^ t firS ' Squ f °n o f ^ f-t armada against Hormuz, consisting of ten
ships, left Goa for Muscat under Sancho de Toar, and shorflv r ,
despatched. Besides these, 3 galleons were ordered from Mozambinue to" 0 ™ V S were
Ruy Frere remained at Muscat waiting for the reinforcements but W n. J0111 Frere -
despatched Michel Pereira on the 24th April with 12 shirs f ' ^ ^ 001 arri ve he