Ext 4226/43 ‘Compensation to Arabic Shaikhdoms for Losses by Enemy Action (Sinking of S.S. Dhafu); Sinking of dhows belonging to KOWEIT, QATAR, MUSCAT (Grounding of "Star of Mex")’ [‎27r] (53/140)

~ ~i mmm ii ||iy^
33/134
Telegram
From
To
Q
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. , Muscat.
Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Bahrain
No.C/71.
Dated and received 17th February 1947.
IMPORTANT
I arrived Ras Kabba at dawn on 16th and found
Wall of Sur with his guard on board "Star of Mex". There
were no tribesmen on board and it seems they had made off
the night before after stripping ship of all fittings and
looting one and two hold tween deck hatches.
2. Wall’s story is as follows.
tyres and 70 bags sugar (figures all approximate) were
discharged and despatched to Sur, Master agreeing to pay
one-third of cargo for services of lighters and crew.
3. On 13th Master entered into engagement with
local Shaikh against his (Wall’s) advice to supply sixty
tribesmen to transfer balance of cargo to lighters. Early
on morning of 14th tribesmen were allowed on board and
immediately asked for sweepings of damaged cargo (sugar
coffee etc.) which they were allowed to have This incited
them to loot. Crew were at the time ashore under protection
of Wall’s guards only Wall and Captain being on board and
Wall found himself unable to control situation. Gray
Mackenzie’s agent arrived on board during morning and gave
Master letter from owners asking him not to abandon ship.
But Master declared situation to be out of control and as
boat of tanker was standing by left with his crew. They
apparently all took with them their own personal effects and
their departure was not impeded.
4. So far as I could judge, whether or not Wall's
story is true it would have been extremely difficult for
tribesmen to board ship if Master h^d not agreed to let them
on board to work cargo and I think to this extent Master is
to blame for what followed.
6. Sultan's representative has instructed Wall to
recover as much of looted cargo as possible, I doubt if he
will succeed; he has also instructed him to stay on board
with his guard until relief can be sent and see that no further
looting takes place.
6. Tribesmen have already taken nearly ( ? omission )
cargo which can be readily moved and I think it unlikely that
they will return and since there was nothing further I could
do have returned to Muscat.
7. It seems unlikely that ship could be salvaged
unless aid of heavy salvage tug is forthcoming soon. Even
then task would be difficult. Task of salvaging balance of
cargo which is coal and corrugated iron sheets would also be
difficult and expensive. Gray Mackenzie's agent is submitting
report to owners on salvage aspect.
8. I understand Master had two machine guns on board
and took them with him ( ? omission ) he left.
On 12th lighters arrived from Sur and 180 motor
POLITICAL -
NPG