File 1202/1912 'Arabia:- Travellers. Capt. F. F Hunter. Herr Runkiar (Danish Expedition). Capt Shakespear.' [174v] (353/358)
The record is made up of 1 volume (175 folios). It was created in 4 Sep 1908-5 Mar 1920. It was written in English. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
“The object of the expedition is to examine the ethnographical, topographical,
botanical and ethnological conditions obtaining in the ^ districts in question, and also
at the same time to collect information as to conditions which may have practi^ 7 ’
importance.
“ A scientific exploration of these districts is an excellent piece of work for oiu
Geographical Society. Without going into details we can say that only few parts of
the globe are so rich in material which calls for examination from a scientific point
of view.
“ To what extent this exploration will prove capable of execution depends upon
the support accorded to the enterprise by the institutions and private persons to whom
application has been made.
“ It is to be hoped that this excellent undertaking, which may redound to the
honour and advantage of our country, will meet with the necessary support.”
Immediately on receipt of the above statement we paid a visit to the secretary of
the Geographical Society, Professor Olufsen, and begged him to give us a few more
details of the new expedition and its object. But the Professor’s lips were sealed with
seven seals.
“ All that I can tell you is that a Committee has been formed at the request of
the Geographical Society to make preparations for the expedition.”
“ Can you not tell us something about the Committee ?”
“ I really don’t know,” replied the Professor.
“ Who is the chairman ?”
“Well; yes,” the Professor yields whilst still on the defensive : “the chairman is
Admiral Bichelieu.”
“ And the others ?”
“ Professor Frants Buhl, Major-General Pasmussen, Consul V. Gliickstadt,
Herr M. L. Frimodt (a large merchant) and Professor Olufsen. Pow are you
satisfied ?”
“No, far from it.”
“Well, you are not going to be told anything more,” said the Professor,
severely.
“ When is the expedition to leave ?”
“ In the course of 1910, as soon as we have collected sufficient money. An
expedition ot this kind can [sic] be ready to start in the course of a couple of days.”
“ Is the State to be asked to contribute ?”
“No. We are only applying to various funds and private persons.”
“ In the statement there is something about ‘ practical exploration does that by
any chance mean investigations of a commercially practical nature ?”
“General practical geographical exploration is meant, also with reference to commerce;
it is very likely that a commercial expert may be associated as a member ot the expe
dition. But for that matter there is work enough in all directions round the Persian
Gulf.”
“ Yes, and now we come to the heart of the whole matter, Professor. Where is
the expedition to begin, and who is to lead it ?”
Professor Olufsen smiled knowingly, and replied in the famous words of Sir E.
Shackleton : “ You must be early if you want to catch me. Wouldn’t you just like to
know ?”
About this item
- Content
The volume concerns expeditions by British officers and by the Royal Danish Geographical Society into the interior of Arabia.
The papers cover: plans by the Royal Danish Geographical Society to explore the countries around the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , 1909; the refusal of British officials to sanction a proposed journey by Captain Frederick Fraser Hunter of the Survey of India (by motor car from Medina across mainland Arabia to Abu Thabi [Abu Dhabi] and then on to Mokalla [Al Mukalla]), on the grounds of possible Turkish suspicions, 1910; the refusal of the Foreign Office to grant permission to British officers to make journeys into Mesopotamia after Turkish suspicions had been aroused by a number of such journeys, 1910; a proposed expedition by the Royal Danish Geographical Society to explore Oman and the Hadramaut [Hadramawt], 1911; the successful expedition of Barclay Raunkiær on behalf of the Royal Danish Geographical Society into Nejd via Kuwait, including failed British attempts to obstruct the expedition, and an investigation by the Government of India into how Raunkiær came to receive assistance from Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Kuwait, 1911-12; correspondence concerning Shakespear's own journey from Kuwait to Suez, 1913-14; and correspondence dated 1920 concerning a journey from Constantinople to Basrah made by Captain Frank R Teesdale in 1910.
Note: Raunkiær's name is rendered as 'Runkiar' in the file title.
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (175 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.
The subject 1202 (Travellers) consists of one volume only.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 177; 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 3-176 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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Copyright: How to use this content
- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/259
- Title
- File 1202/1912 'Arabia:- Travellers. Capt. F. F Hunter. Herr Runkiar (Danish Expedition). Capt Shakespear.'
- Pages
- 174r:174v
- Author
- Dannebrog
- Usage terms
- Public Domain