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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎33r] (70/258)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (129 folios). It was created in 1912-1916. 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. .

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CONFIDENTIAL
No. 45 of 1914.
To
Army Department.
THE MOST HONOURABLE THE MARQUES3 OF CREWE, K.G.,
His Majesty’s Secretaky or State for India
Simla, the 16th April 1914.
My Lord Marquess, * o r ,' /,
We have the honour to refer to your Lordship’s telegram dated the -
2nd May 1912, in which sanction was accorded to the survey of certain areas in ^ ^
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the cost involved therein being divided between the Home ^
and Indian exchequers.
2. In view of the Trans-Persian Railway projects we have since, as reported
in our Marine despatch No. 16, dated the 6 th November 1913, considered
it desirable to undertake a marine survey of the Clarence Strait; and, in order
to ascertain whether a more suitable port than Bandar Abbas could, if neces
sary, be created further to the westward in the neighbourhood of Laft Point,
we further authorised a survey of the coast between Bandar Abbas and the
mainland opposite Laft Point, Captain B. W. Mainprise, R.E., with a suitable
survey party, being deputed from India for this duty.
3 . We regret that, owing to the urgency with which arrangements bad to
be made in order to despatch Captain Mainprise and his party to carry out
their work simultaneously with the survey of the Strait by the R.LM.S.
*« palinurus,*’ the necessity for obtaining your Lordship’s previous sanction
to the deputation of the party was overlooked. The results, however, are
likely to be of considerable value, and we trust that in the circumstances our
action will meet with your Lordship’s approval. The object with which these
surveys have been undertaken is such as would ordinarily justify the cost
being divided between the Home and Indian Governments ; but in view of
the fact that the previous assent of the Treasury was not obtained, we leave it
to your Lordship to decide whether a claim for a moiety of the expenditure,
incurred on both the marine and coastal surveys, should be made upon the
Imperial exchequer. The cost of the former is estimated at Rs. 14,989 and
that of the latter at Rs. 4,500.
4. We would add that the cost of the survey of the Henjam anchorage,
which was reported in our despatch No. 16, dated the 6 th November 1913, is
estimated at Rs. 4,996. We presume that a moiety of this expenditure will he
borne by the Home exchequer.
We have the honour to he,
My Lokd Marquess,
Your Lordship’s most obedient, humble Servants,
(Signed) E. W. CARLYLE.
HARCOURT BUTLER.
R. H. CRADDOCK.
R. W. GILLAN.

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Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, notes, and maps relating to the development of railways projects in South Persia and the associated marine surveys of Gulf ports, notably Bandar Abbas and Bushire.

The volume includes the report of Lieutenant Arnold Talbot Wilson on the technical issues concerning development of railway lines between Bushire and Shiraz, and Bandar Abbas and Shiraz. Also included is a report on the commercial possibilities of these two developments, compiled by Commercial Adviser, H G Chick. These reports (folios 101-124) are preceded by an accompanying summary and analysis 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. , Percy Zachariah Cox.

Also discussed in the correspondence is the question of concessions for railways in the neutral zone and the relative advantages (climate, water supply) of Bushire and Bandar Abbas as railway termini in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The correspondence also features discussion of a rumoured German scheme for a Bushire-Shiraz railway.

Further discussion surrounds the arrangements for marine survey work in the region of Henjam and Bandar Abbas to be undertaken by the RIMS Palinurus. A report by the Captain of the Palinurus, Captain B W Mainprise is included along with three marine survey maps (folios 48-50).

The principal correspondents in the volume include: 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. and Consul General for Fars (Lieutenant Colonel Percy Zachariah Cox); (Lieutenant Colonel Stuart George Knox); First Assistant to 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. , Captain L Birdwood; Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department; Under Secretary of State, 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. ; Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Sir Edward Grey); Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Louis Mallet); Director, Royal Indian Marine, Walter Lumsden; Officer Comanding, RIMS Palinurus ( Captain B W Mainprise); Secretary to the Government of India, Marine Department.

The volume 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.

Extent and format
1 volume (129 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume. The subject 4648 (Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports) consists of 1 volume, IOR/L/PS/10/316. The explanation of the cover sheet/divider at the front of each volume (regarding the correspondence series numbers which have been put together to form the volumes) will be given in the Scope and Content.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 127; 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.

Written in
English in Latin script
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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎33r] (70/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943904.0x000047> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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