File 3208/1908 Pt 4 ‘Persian Gulf: acts of piracy by Ahmed bin Selman near Katif [Turkish discourtesy to commander of HMS “Lapwing” at Katif]’ [‎139v] (274/358)

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6 . In very dilatory fashion the 3 boats were got ready, and on the afternoon
of the 28 th June, I went on board accompanied by my interpreter and the
Jemadar and 12 sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Guard. There were 20 Arabs in my
' Mashuwa J and about 25 in each of the other two*
7 . In the course of the next three days we searched the coast of the
mainland from Dohat Ain A1 Seh to Ras Tanufa, omitting the Katif Oasis, and
if the wind had not been extremely unfavourable we would have gone still further
north. In the circumstances, however, we turned back from this point and
sailed into Katif harbour, where I interviewed the Kaim Makam Ibrahim Effendi
as related in the memorandum which accompanies this report. I found the
Kaim Makam very civil in his attitude, though the Senior Military Officer was
inclined to be discourteous and was very officious in his enquiries as to my right
to bring my 3 ( Mashuwas * into Katif harbour.
8 . One of the leading Arabs on board my vessel had a wife and house at
Darein, the place on Tarut Island which commands the south entrance to Katif.
Opposite this place, therefore, he waded ashore, and at the time of my departure
from Katif he returned with the information that the Kaim Makam had only
sent out his search-boat after hearing that I had started from Bahrein, and that
besides doing this he had imprisoned the father-in-law of Ahmed bin Selman
who is a notable of the Beni Hajir tribe, and was opportunely found in the town
of Katif. This fact was concealed from me by the Kaim Makam probably
because the Sheikh would eventually be allowed to buy his liberty. My inform
ant also reported that the pirates were believed still to be in the vicinity of Bahrein
either on the Katr Coast or that of Dthaharan, south of Katif. I, therefore
decided to return to Bahrein and to ask the Chief to get more definite’information
before I set out again.
9 . Sheikh Isa talks a good deal about the rapidity with which he would
destroy the pirates if he were given a free hand by Government, but my obser
vations incline me to think that his servants are not whole-hearted in their desire
to fall in with them. On the recent expedition I advised the three Commanders
of the Mashuwas to cover as wide an area as possible each day, but found that
they persisted in keeping together in spite of all that I said/ A better result
would probably be obtained if a few blue-jackets were sent out in each Mash
uwa to cruise separately within defined limits for a lengthened period, but even
then it will be very difficult to prevent the pirates escaping ashore if the identity
of our boats is suspected. Our best chance of ending the career of Ahmed bin
Selman I think lies in the Government of India setting a price of Rs. 1,000 or
Rs. 1,500 on his head, and if this were done I believe the desired effect’ would
soon be achieved, as there is probably no one who would take ud the ouarrel to
make a blood-feud of it.
Memorandum, translation of ’which in Arabic was given by Captain F. B.
Prideaux to the Kaim Makam of Katif on the 1 st July igog.
At the request of the Kaim Makam of Katif I write the following memoran-
dum regarding my visit to Katif. ^ rdn
1 kft Bahrein on the afternoon of VVednescfay the 28 th June 100 =: in com
pany 3 boats (Mashuwas) manned by the Sheikh of Bahrein, to search for the
pirate Ahmed bm Selman on the high seas. We first proceeded southwards
and slowly m consequence of the winds being unfavourable, worked northwards
with many tack,ngs from Dohat Am A1 Seh as far as Ras Tanura. We a rived
Ifl p a -°- Ut y °V h ? ,st J u, y- and i" this space of time only
fell in with two suspicious looking Mashuwas which however turned out to be
innocently engaged. To-day on account of the northwind having increased
considerably m vehemence, and as 1 found myself comparatively dole to Katif
I decided to visit this port in order to learn the latest news from the Ka ra
Katfboat t0 6ar 613113 ° f the firSt aUack made by the P !rate u P° n a
On arriving in the harbour, I sent a messenger to the landing-place to ask
permission for me to land and visit the Kaim Makam. On permission being