![File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [‎60r] (128/578)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x000160/IOR_L_PS_10_457_0128.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [‎60r] (128/578)")
File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [60r] (128/578)
The record is made up of 1 volume (283 folios). It was created in 1902-28 July 1914. It was written in English and French. 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.
(c) Finally, after conclusion of active investigation in the Gulf, sufficient
time should be allotted to the working up of the data and
material obtained at some centre, Calcutta preferably, where
facilities exist for the proper examination of the parasitic and
peai 1 formation material, and where there are opportunities to
consult an extensive scientific (zoological) library and have
the assistance of large zoological collections for reference in
identification, etc. Ihe period required for this purpose depends
upon the extent and importance of the material obtained,
hurther, time to write a detailed account of observations, results
and conclusions would also be needed, but this may be done at
my own head quarters in Madras,
6. For the work afloat I consider that a full three weeks upon the pearl
banks is the minimum time requisite for the collection of the needful data
regarding the nature of the principal banks and the environment in which
pearl oysters live. For a similar investigation of the Ceylon banks (which
occupy much smaller area) the Ceylon Government in the first instance put
a steamer at the disposal of Professor Herdman and myself for one month's
work on the banks; this period proved insufficient and the charter had to
be extended to six weeks.
7 . The work ashore will presumably occupy a longer period and must
depend upon circumstances; upon weather, the supply of the right kind of
fishes in the bazaar and upon the chance of early or tardy success in the hunt
for the adult of the local pearl including parasite. However, if fishes for
examination be scarce, the time may be usefully employed in examining
the nature of shallow inshore waters where pearl fishing is carried on in winter
by means of wading during low tides, also in prospecting the coast for
sheltered localities where oyster nurseries may be established. The period
necessary for this section of the work cannot be counted upon as
less than one month; it may extend longer as it is work dependent upon
outside circumstances especially upon the supply of material available in the
fish markets. The investigator can do little to expedite matters except in so
far as to utilise every opportunity that may occur.
8. The task of working up the zoological data after return to India
should be done at the Indian Museum, Calcutta, where the only satisfactory
facilities, at present existing in India for this, are to be found. I believe
that the Superintendent would be able and willing to give the necessary
accommodation in one of the Museum Laboratories. One month would be
none too long a period for this most essential section of the investigation.
9 . A preliminary report indicating the main conclusions (subject however
to amendment in the final report) would probably be possible of submission
immediately after return to India. The final and detailed report might have
to be deferred till some months later as the material and data that will be
obtained and which must necessarily be carefully examined and tabulated, will
probably be very diverse and extensive. I venture to assume that the Govern
ment of India will desire that, so far as circumstances may permit, this enquiry
shall be detailed and exhaustive in order that the permanent value of the
investigation may be as high as possible and obviate any need to go over the
same ground in subsequent years.
10 . If the foregoing line of the proposed investigation be approved, a
rough time table may be suggested as follows, namely:
November 1st, 1911. —Leave Madras for Bombay and Karachi.
About November Leave Karachi for pearl banks off Bahrein.
November loth to December 7th —Examination of the pearl banks.
December 7th. —Leave the steamer landing at Bahrein and begin shore
work after and in consultation with the
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.
.
December 7th to January 10th, im-Shore work in the Bahrein
territory.
January 10th {or thereahouts).—L<iwe by mail steamer for Karachi and
Madras, whence after attending to any urgent worn involved
About this item
- Content
The volume concerns pearl fishing in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; in particular attempted incursions into the trade by the French, Germans, and others; the political and economic interests of the British in pearl fishing; investigations into reports of the depletion of the pearl fishing banks in the Gulf; and proposals to use modern diving apparatus.
The principal correspondents are the 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox); the 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. , Bahrain; and senior officials of the Government of India, the 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. , the Foreign Office, and the Board of Trade.
The papers cover: Report on the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries , published 1902 (including extracts of documents from the 1850s onwards), which includes references to the presence of Arab divers at the Ceylon fisheries (folios 247-281); the presence of two French businessmen in Bahrein [Bahrain], and the question of whether European enterprise could be excluded from the pearl fishing industry on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , March 1904 (folios 212-246); the opinion of the Law Officers' Department that the tribes of the Arabian coast had a right to the exclusive use of the pearl fisheries within a three-mile limit, and any other waters that might justly be considered territorial, February 1905 (folios 203-211); German attempts to gain control over the pearl industry in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , including the importance attached by the 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (Cox) to the operations of Gray, Paul & Company, March 1905 - January 1908 (folios 177-202); the Government of India in favour of direct intervention to secure a British monopoly, June-August 1908 (folios 170-176); enquiries into the pearl fishing industry by Dr Gustav Josef Eduard Levien of Hamburg, April-May 1910 (folios 150-169); papers concerning the alleged depletion of the pearl banks, December 1910 - May 1911 (folios 106-149); further French interest in the pearl fisheries, February-May 1911 (folios 82-105, 66-69); official encouragement for British firms to enter the pearl trade, March-May 1911 (folios 69-81); a proposed investigation into depletion of the pearl banks by James Hornell of the Madras Fisheries Department, June-September 1911 (folios 56-65), and the investigation postponed, February 1912 (folios 42-53); assurances by the rulers of the Arab littoral states that they would not grant concessions to countries other than Britain, November 1911 (folios 54-55), and the texts of the rulers' replies, July-August 1911 (folios 32-41); papers concerning an application to use modern, 'scientific' diving apparatus in the Gulf by Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab Mishari, a director of the Arab Steamship Company in Bombay, and a rumour (denied) of similar interest from the Sultan of Oman, April-November 1912 (folios 11-31); copies of official correspondence from 1857 showing that British officials thought that British subjects did not have any right to fish for pearls on the fishing grounds of the maritime tribes in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , March 1913 (folios 5-6); and American (United States) interest in scientific aspects of the pearl industry in Bahrain, June 1914 (folios 2-4).
The volume includes two Admiralty charts illustrating the pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , on folio 238 (= IOR/W/L/PS/10/457 (i) and IOR/L/PS/10/457 (ii)), and a map accompanying the report on the Ceylon Pearl Fisheries (folio 278).
The French language content of the file is confined to a single letter (folio 91).
The date range gives the covering dates of the main run of papers (which include extracts of documents from the 1850s onwards), and any other additions to the volume; the Secret Department minute papers enclosing groups of papers are dated 1904-1914.
Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 1).
- Extent and format
- 1 volume (283 folios)
- Arrangement
The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.
The subject 2830 ( Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. : Sponge and Pearl Fisheries) consists of two volumes, IOR/L/PS/10/456-457. The volumes are divided into two parts with each part comprising one volume.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 281; 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. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.' [60r] (128/578), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/457, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100044914343.0x000081> [accessed 24 April 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/457
- Title
- File 2830/1914 Pt 2 'Persian Gulf: Pearl Fisheries. Investigation into Alleged Depletion of Pearl Banks. Germans and the Industry. Concessions, etc.'
- Pages
- front, back, spine, edge, head, tail, front-i, i-r:i-v, 1r:2v, 4r:15v, 18r:90v, 91v:99v, 102r:152v, 155r:242v, 243v:277v, 279r:281v, ii-r:ii-v, back-i
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence