File 1855/1904 Pt 9 'Koweit:- Relations with Turkey. Sheikhs claim to Bubiyan, Warba & Umkasr' [‎311v] (224/228)

forcibly resumed the island no challenge to our rights was ever made, and we
have thus kept a footing there.
VIL— -Lingah.
40. This is an important town, owing to it being a trading centre, and the
fact that, unlike most Gulf ports, large vessels can lie within a mile or so of
the shore.
The anchorage is exposed to the south-west, but sheltered from most ^
winds.
41. Several of the domed cisterns mentioned in N. I. D. Report No. 694
were empty when I was at Lingah and others had only a little dirty water in
them. They appeared to have a capacity of about 60,000 gallons each.
VIII.— Bahrein.
42. I visited this place in the Sphinx.
A second class cruiser drawing not more than 22 feet 6 inches could enter
Bahrein harbour one hour before high tide, and anchor 5 miles from the town
and about 4 miles from Muharrak.
43. Bahrein is not of any value as a base for war purposes.
44. I notice that in the N. I. D. Report No. 694, Bar al Katr is said to
be under Turkish control. This is not the case. The British support the
independence of the Sheikhs, and have lately objected to a Turkish Mudir
being appointed for the district.
IX. —Koweit.
45. The importance of the Bay of Koweit has been somewhat over-rated,
and that of Khor Abdullah lost sight of until it is too late, the Turks having
now established themselves at Umkasr, and on the island of Bubiyan.
46. A large vessel could lie in the anchorage in any weather, but a collier
could not lie alongside her in a Shamal. Vessels lie about 2 miles from the
shore.
47. During the stay of the squadron many small caravans were observed
to enter and leave the town, showing that there is probably a considerable
trade overland.
48. ^ I proceeded up the Bay in the Sphinx. A second class cruiser can go
up to within 2^ miles of the shore near Jehara, which town is over half a mile
inland. It is a fine bay, but the shallowness of the water near the shore
detracts from its value. The head of the bay is, however, of course more
sheltered than the part of it near Koweit.
X.— Khor Abdullah.
49 . Leaving Koweit with my flag in the Sphinx at 10 p.m., followed
by the Lawrence, I proceeded to Khor Abdullah, and entered it at daylight
on the following day, passing Ras al Geit, the Turkish post on the south-east
of Bubiyan Island, where the Turkish flag was flying. This post cannot be
approached to within about 3 miles by water, owing to the mud flats off it.
We arrived at the bar between Warba Island and the mainland, and found
2 fathoms at low water.
Passing over it into deep water we entered the Khor leading to Umkasr,
navigation being quite easy, except for the bar.
Arriving near Umkasr, which is a Turkish fort with no village, we
anchored, and, after looking round, proceeded out of the Khor.
50. Our observation led us to the conclusion that the proposed railway
will probably come to a point on the mainland opposite the north-west corner
of Bubiyan Island, where there is a sheet of water, with plenty of depth and
room for an anchorage. It can also be approached easily at any time of tide.
51. Bubiyan Island and the shore on the mainland opposite are claimed
by the Sheikh of Koweit. He has now been formally taken under British