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File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎107v] (219/258)

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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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Supply of Labour.
16 There should be no difficulty on this score at any time of year ; and good labour i^
likely to be available in any quantity ; water and food supply would be a matter
some difficulty requiring forethought and careful arrangements between Bunder Abbas
and Lar.
fnv Hnnstruction.
' The laying of the line would have to he effected fiom railhead , the prepara
tion of the track, however, could be prosecuted energetically from either end, and possibly
from some point at midway also. Delays inseparable from work of any kind in
Persia would be certain to hamper construction, and 1 think wc may take six or eight
years as the shortest probable period necessary for the line.
Utilisation of First Sections of Line for Traffic.
11. The Bunder Abbas-Lar and Bunder Abbas-Jahrum sections as soon as
completed and opened for traffic would bring in an appreciable revenue and accustom
the tribes to the idea of a railway before it actually comes near their territories, a point
of some importance.
Telegraphic Communication.
19. Bunder Abbas is connected by cable with Bushire and India, as well as with
Muscat, and a land line would no doubt be brought down from Shiraz along the railway
when finished. The construction of a land line from Bunder Abbas to Task, desirable
in itself on other grounds, would complete an alternative land line between Tehran and
India.
Climate.
20. There is reason to believe that Bunder Abbas has acquired its unenviable
reputation largely on account of the wretched accommodation which was at first
available for Europeans ; the health of the incumbent of the British consulate there has
greatly improved since the completion of the new building (vide Appendix II). The
question of water supply would require careful examination, and it seems probable that
a condenser would have to be installed to provide drinking and boiler water.
Strategical Value of Line.
21. No instrument more effective for the control of the nomad tribes of Ears than
a Bunder Abbas-Shiraz railway can be devised; it does not touch Kashgai territory at
any point, but it would enable us rapidly and unexpectedly to transport troops to Shiraz
and interpose a large force between the winter and summer quarters of the Kashgai,
the ^ surest means of rapidly bringing them to their senses. It scarcely touches the
territory of the Khamseh, but would make it easy to attack them, as their lands are
generally within 50 miles of the proposed alignment.
Cost: Bunder Abbas—Shiraz.
22. As will be seen from the summary at the end of Part II of this report, the
estimated cost of a Bunder Abbas-Shiraz line at metre gauge, with a modest supply of
rolling-stock, See., and suitable terminal arrangements, is about 2,000,00GL I will not
attempt to estimate what the earnings of the railway must be to pay the charges on this
sum, but T think I am justified, from my summary of traffic prospects as above, in
believing that the receipts after the first few years will amply suffice for the purposes.
In fact, the prospective traffic is likely to attain such oroportions that it is desirable
that the Persian railways syndicate should include, in any further draft proposals they
may make to the Persian Government, a clause authorising them to construct the line
on a gauge as large as 4 ft. 8J in. This gauge, it might be noted, is not that of the
Russian or Indian railway systems, but is that adopted for the Bagdad Railway, and
seems likely to be the most suitable for general adoption in Persia.

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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' [‎107v] (219/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943905.0x000014> [accessed 19 March 2024]

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