File 1855/1904 Pt 9 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikhs claim to Bubiyan, Warba & Umkasr' [‎311r] (223/228)

IV. —Bunder Abbas.
25 . This town is situated on the mainland of Persia opposite the town of
Kishm in the Island of Kism, from which it is distant about 13 miles.
26 . The water is shallow, and ships lie a good 1 miles from the shore
although the Sphinx can go in to about miles from the town.
Ten and a quarter miles from it is Hormuz Island, and almost due south,
about 18 miles, is Larak Island.
27 . Between the town of Kishm and Bunder Abbas and to the westward
is a good roadstead at the entrance of the Clarence Strait. This strait would
he navigable by large ships, if it were buoyed, as far as Bassidu, which is nearly
65 miles to the westward by this channel.
28 . A good anchorage is reported off Laft point, but this is 32 miles from
Kishm, and too much out of the way for war purposes.
29 . This entrance to the Clarence Strait was, and might be again, the
rendezvous of a large expeditionary force operating in Southern Persia.
V. —Hen jam Strait.
30 . There is a temporary anchorage off Henjam Island in the strait
between that Island and Kishm, and at this point a telegraph station formerly
existed. It is about to be resumed by tbe Government of India, and could be
used as a war signal station, if required, as it is easy of approach from either
the east or west.
31 . It is not of any use as a permanent anchorage or dep6t.
As it is only 31 miles from Khor Kawi it could easily be connected with
it by cable when found necessary, should that place become a coaling station.
VI.— Bassidu.
32 . As a deep water channel was said to exist to the southward of Kishm
Island, I examined it in H. M. S. Sphinx, followed later by the B. I. M. S.
Lawrence.
33 . A 4 to fathom channel was found, a tracing of which will be sent
to tbe Hydrographer, but it is not easy to find, except in fine weather and by
use of the lead.
It is not at any time suitable for a second class cruiser, but she might use
it with care in clear weather.
34 . Bassidu was used in the old days by small craft belonging to the
Indian Navy. There is deep and good anchorage off it, but it is a small craft
place. On going to Lingah from it in the Sphinx we passed over a long bank
with fathoms on it—this being the only passage.
35 . The pier is in fairly good order, but most of the old buildings are in
ruins. A heap of old coal, probably about 5 tons, lies in the open. There is a
flagstaff on which the British flag is hoisted, and an old Arab (the British
Agent) receives Rs. 12 a year for doing so (in addition to Rs. 30 as agent, and
Rs. 7 for taking mails to and from Lingah). He is a Briton of the British.
36 . According to a plan the area of British territory is roughly 600 acres.
37 . The Agent confirmed the statement that Singao is British, but that
old Bassidu is not.
He stated that the Russian Consul at Bunder Abbas visited Bassidu last
spring with a Persian official.
38 . Some of the Arabs living at Lingah and in other parts of Kishm are
very anxious to settle at Bassidu under the British, and thus escape the heavy
Customs dues, but they have not hitherto been encouraged to do so.
It would probably soon absorb the trade from Lingah and the adjacent
ports if it became a free port under the protection of the Government of
India.
39. Bassidu was granted to the British in 1820 by the Iman of Maskat,
who at that time had a lease of the island of Kishm. When the Persians