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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎56r] (116/258)

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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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only anchor in one line and those on the flanks are therefore somewhat distant
from the landing place. The strong tide would considerably delay the movements
of lighters.
(b) and (c) The total length of foreshore is 350 yards only, and all work must
, concentrated on this front as both to the east and west mud flats at low tide pre-
nnv landing. Jetties 100 yards long would be required for lighters, and a
vent any ianu g wharf 200 yards long would allow 20 foot
To be corroborated on receipt of sea survey. ships to lie alongside all states of the tide.
These wharves would require to be of piles so as not to obstruct the tide; otherwise
the swirl set up by striking the wharf at right angles would probably draw out the
foundation at the outshore ends and silt up in shore.
It is this possibility of a wharf and the comparatively short jetties which
would be required that constitute the great advantages of the Puhal site. In other
points Puhal is distinctly inferior to Bandar Abbas as will be seen. I
(d) On shore there is a fringe of high ground somewhat restricted in area
which would suffice for sidings and sheds but nothing else. Then comes a low-lying
plain subject to floods, and always damp on account of the strong salt deposits,
which is quite unsuitable for any habitations. These must be built right back in line
with the hamlets as shown on map (5). Having crossed this plain there is ample
room for a native quarter, town and residential quarter.
(e) The present supply of water is ample, and although brackish it is quite
<rood as Persian water goes. There are several “birkehs” to be found but they were
all empty at the time of making this report (September 1913). As far as could be
ascertained, there are no really sweet wells in the neighbourhood. It was reported
that there we two springs in the hills to the north, but nobody could say exactly
where they were, and it was not considered necessary to delay work m order to make
a systematic search.
lf\ As regards its position strategically, so long as Henjam is held Puhal is
protected, for the channel through the Clarence Straits to the west is too complicated
for war ships to risk. If necessary safety might be ensured by mining the channel.
In) As in the case of Bandar Abbas, blockhouses would be the best defence
against raiders. Any advance by a civilized enemy across the plain to the east of
?he Rud-tKul could only be supported by artillery on the open plain in full view «£
the defenders artillery placed exceptionally favourably on the high ground at the
foot of the hills The right bank of the Rud-i-Kul is higher than the left, and there-
fore favours the defence considerably. The river runs between steep banks and
forms an ideal ditch 100 to 800 yards wide capable of strong defence by night,
pas^s lead over the hills to the nV whilst to the west the ^ come^t down o
the waters edge at Khamir and the rocks are so steep that the road round t
is only passable at low tide.
ote “ ,1 ‘•
coast, and it would not pay to send goods only a short distance by ra l.
(j) No labour exists at present nor are there any dhows, but there would
doubtless be a response to any demand.
(k )Fuel would be obtained from the mangrove swamps beyond Khamir.
There is none in the immediate vicinity.
( 1 ) In the hills to the north and west there are " ^ ^ but
the foot hills are strewn with small boulders o
good enough for concrete.

About this item

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' [‎56r] (116/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943904.0x000075> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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