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'File 3/2 Interference with Kuwait Sailing Craft on High Seas by Persian warships.' [‎187r] (373/550)

The record is made up of 1 file (273 folios). It was created in 10 Apr 1933-23 Dec 1949. It was written in English, Arabic and Farsi. The original is part of the 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. .

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(Statement of Khalid Hussain Buqambar Master of
Country craft "NIMR n owned by Yusuf Ahmed al Ghanim.)
n My craft was called upon to stop by an Iranian Naval
vessel at about 5 p.m. on the 11th March, 1947 when at a
point 30 miles north-west of Kharg Island. We were out of
sight of the Island and of the mainland, which must have
been more than 45 miles away.
The Naval Vessel was painted grey, with 1 funnel,
a gun forward, and machine-guns. The Officers and crew
were in uniform and they flew the Iranian flag.
We fley the Kuwait flag but were ordered to heave to
and send a boat. We hove to but could not send a boat
owing to the heavy sea running.
The naval vessel then attempted to come along side in
spite of the sea and collided with our craft making a hole
through which water entered, and causing damage to the
extent of Rs 3,000/-. They then threatened to sink our
craft unless we sent our papers on board and finally some of
our crew swam with the papers to the naval vessel. They
endeavoured to send a boarding-party but could not on accourt
of the heavy sea and finally left us to our fate in our
sinking craft. It was only by strenuous efforts and good
fortune that we escaped drowning."
I heard from the crew that the Iranian vessel had
left Mohammerah that day and was southward bound.
(Statment of Ahmed al Fahad Master of country craft
MUTAIRAN".)
At 9 a.m. on the 18th March, 1947 my craft was
18 miles from the nearest point of the Iranian shore
opposite Taheriya (South of Has Mataf) and flying the
Kuwait flag when an Iranian naval vessel called upon us to
he^ve to. She then came a long side very clumsily damaging
our rudder, anchor, and fenders in doing so. We were
then boarded by an armed party who searched the craft.
When they broke open 2 boxes we remonstrated with them but
they threatened us with their weapons.
They confiscated the following;-
46 dozen reels of cotton thread.
, 4 cartons matches (6 dozen in each carton.)
6 bundles head kercheifs (20 in a bundle.)
2 dozen cotton under-vests,
and all the tea which we had for consumption on the
voyage.
They also asked us to hand over our arms and,
when we showed them the Permit from the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,
they said we had no right to carry the arms as although
India, Yemen, and Africa were mentioned the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
was not mentioned. They then towed us for 5 hours towards
Lingeh. On the way we met Abdul Wahab At-Tura’s dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. which
they stopped and searched and took in tow.
They demanded Rs 1,000/- from each craft but we
persuaded them to reduce this demand to Rs 50/- which

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Content

This file relates to incidents of Kuwaiti sailing boats being intercepted (and in some cases seized and detained) by Persian warships and other vessels, on suspicions of smuggling. The file largely consists of correspondence between British officials regarding several specific incidents, including one case in which a Kuwaiti dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. was reportedly seized by a Persian warship (the Babr ) off Henjam [Henjān], and towed to Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]. Much of the correspondence surrounding this case and others is concerned with establishing whether or not the incidents occurred within Persian territorial waters.

The file discusses more generally the British perspective regarding the extent of Persia's territorial waters and the Persian Navy's right to stop and search foreign vessels in the Gulf. Also included are instructions from the Admiralty regarding the attitude that should be adopted by His Majesty's ships in the Gulf in response to incidents of interference by Persian vessels.

The principal correspondents are the following:

Some of the correspondence dating from after 1935 refers to 'Iranian' rather than 'Persian' vessels, presumably in response to the Iranian Government's request for the international community to refer to the state by its historical name.

Extent and format
1 file (273 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 275; 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. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 3-274, and ff 6-274; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.

A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

Written in
English, Arabic and Farsi in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 3/2 Interference with Kuwait Sailing Craft on High Seas by Persian warships.' [‎187r] (373/550), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/5/172, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100028311931.0x0000ae> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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