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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎39v] (83/258)

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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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4
The ground to the north of Bustaneh is low-lying and shows strong deposits
& depicting considerable dampness. Its healthiness is, therefore, doubt
ful. Moreover, the hills to the w r est w r ill cut off the breeze from that
direction. To the west there is a small area of giound somewhat
higher, but much restricted by the hills. ^ ^ Although this site may
be more healthy than that to the north, it is certain to be intensely
hot by reason of the radiation from the hills.
(e) As regards water, there are four wells in Bustaneh, ad more or less bitter
So long as they hold out, all drinking water is brought from the two
“Birkehs,” or surface water reservoirs, to the west, one being three
quarters of a mile and the other, Birkeh Haji Daudi, five miles distant.
It is not considered, however, that the water-supply question is in
superable. If Bustaneh has other good points to recommend it as a
commercial port, it is pretty certain that modern methods will produce
a sufficiency of drinking water.
(/) As regards its position strategically so long as Henjam is held Bustaneh
is protected for the channel through the Clarence Straits to the west
is too complicated for war ships to risk.
(g) As in the case of Bandar Abbas, block houses would be the best defence
against raiders.
{h) As regards existing trade routes, please see the remarks shown under
the headings for Puhal which will apply equally to Bustaneh.
(j) Practically no labour exists at present, but there would doubtless be a
response to any demand.
(k) There is no fuel obtainable locally, but wood could be brought from the
mangrove swamps beyond Khamir.
(/) Good limestone is available in the hills to the west of Bustaneh, but the
amount is limited. The foot hills were strewn with small boulders
of an indifferent sandstone, but good enough for concrete.
Summary.
At Bustaneh itself the shore conditions are not favourable. The site is cramped,
is cut off from the westerly breeze and is low-lying. Unless the naval surveys dis
close conditions wh.ch differ very considerably from what they appear to be, the
foreshore cannot be considered suitable for a commercial port.
To the west of Bustaneh the hills are so close to the shore that no site for a
assort Wbl ^ t0 the ^ ^ loW ' lying °P en P lain offers no advantages of
f S P^ of its comparatively open anchorage the general conditions prevailing
at Bandar Abbas seem to be much superior to those at Bustaneh.
Roorkee :
The 16th February 1914.
i
B. W. MAINPRISE, Captain, R.E.
G. M. Prew SiaUa, No. C. 20 F. 44 .—BJL

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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' [‎39v] (83/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943904.0x000054> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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