File 1855/1904 Pt 9 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikhs claim to Bubiyan, Warba & Umkasr' [‎310v] (222/228)

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(e) The Bays on the northern part of the Promontory.
10. Are all exposed to the north, as the chart shews.
(/) Khor Kawi,
11. Is a fine sheltered anchorage. It is 3 cables wide at the northern
entrance, and about 6 to 7 cables wide most of its length; the depth of water
is from 15 to 19 fathoms according to the chart. q*
12. It is formed by the island of Jezirat al Ghanam (Sheep Island) and the
mainland. The island is about 100 feet high at its lowest saddle, and from its
northern end a rocky point juts out about 2 cables and looks like a pier. In
the angle thus formed is a ledge of rock which appears to have about 3 feet of
water on it, and to cover about an acre. This rocky point makes the harbour
secure against any swell rolling in from the northward.
13. To the southward of the point is a Bay formed by an indentation in
the island.
14. The Khor appears capable of sheltering several large cruisers at single
anchor, and more if moored, besides a number of small craft.
15. Owing to the tides, the northern entrance is more difficult than the
southern to enter. The latter is land locked, owing to the conformation
of the Musandam Promontory, but for a steam*ship both are quite easy of
approach.
16. Khor Kawi may, on further examination, turn out to be very suitable
for a coaling station; a survey will shortly be undertaken. Its strategical
position is excellent, and in conjunction with the Islands of Kishm, Henjam,
Larak, and Hormuz, it will form a strong position for the control of the
entrance to the Gulf.
17. The danger of ships being taken by surprise can be averted by forming
a signal station on the high hill on Sheep Island, from which a long range of
vision can be obtained, and warning given in sufficient time of the approach
of any vessel.
18. The bay at the south-east corner of the southern entrance will also be
examined to ascertain its capabilities as a torpedo station.
(y) Khor ash Shem {Elphinstone Inlet).
19. Is a magnificent piece of water, 7 miles long. It has anchorages all
over it, and many coves. The usual anchorage is near Telegraph Island, which
is about the hottest part of it.
20. Surrounded by high mountains and barren rocky hills, no breeze can
reach Telegraph Island, or the middle of the Khor, consequently the air must be
still and the radiation great. In fact the heat is too great for Europeans to
bear, and even the Arab nomads who fish there, move in the hot weather. At
3 p.m. on 20th November (when I visited it) the thermometer stood at 86 0 P.
If this is the winter temperature, what must it be in summer ?
21. By landing and climbing the ridge in the Maklab Isthmus, about 200
feet high, one can look down on Malcolm Inlet, and have a fine view of it
(except the cove with Filam at its bead) and of Elphinstone Inlet. The ridge
is about equidistant from both inlets.
22. To defend Elphinstone Inlet it would be necessary to hold the ridge of
the Maklab Isthmus, as well as the entrance, but owing to the heat it could
not be occupied from July to October, and therefore as a naval station it is
not of much value.
III.— Shargah.
23. This place is quite open to the northward, and with a northerly wind
a nasty swell rolls into the roadstead.
24. The Jowashmi Sheikh of Shargah resides here and it is the centre of
the pearling fishery, but otherwise it is not of any importance The Sheikh
is acknowledged as the most important of the Trucial Chiefs.