Skip to item: of 258
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎124v] (253/258)

This item is part of

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. .

Transcription

This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.

Apply page layout

50
o
o
Summary.
Examined from ail local points of view, the Bunder Abbas-Shiraz line has nothing
to justify its existence viz-d-vis a Bnshire-Shiraz connection; it seems to me illogical
and indefensible commercially as a pioneer line.
1. On the showing of the only comparative survey at present to hand, the
Bushire route surveyed would cost 50,0001 less to construct, and be only 11 miles
longer.
2. Apart from the q lestion of guarantees, only the alignment showing the greatest
existing and probable carrying trade, and the prospect of a quick return, is likely to
prove palateable to the financial interests involved; and a Bushire line ought to
command, from the very beginning, some 30,000 tons, or more than double what could
be hoped from a Bunder Abbas alignment.
3. The Bushire alignment traverses districts far more tranquil, with a more
numerous and wealthier population, already accustomed for a considerable distance to
trading with sea-ports and foreign interests. These districts present better possibilities,
and are even now more widely cultivated than those along the lower portion of the
Bunder Abbas alignment ; and it is certain that whatever surplus produce might be
available in the interior after construction of a Bunder Abbas line, more than that
quantity would be available along a Bushire-Shiraz line.
4. Bushire is already a grain-exporting centre for the Gulf littoral (which Bunder
Abbas can never he), and it could easily become an important port for the export of
grain coming from all quarters.
5. Bushire has a large existing trade with the interior of Ears, and the interests
of Shiraz are largely interdependent with those of Bushire. Bunder Abbas has no
existing trade relations with Shiraz ; it would take years to build them up, and there
is not the slightest demand on the part of the inhabitants of Ears and Shiraz to be
linked up with Bunder Abbas w r hile the demand for quicker transport between Bushire
and Shiraz does exist.
6. Bunder Abbas is in a backward state as compared with Bushire, and suffers from
climatic and other disadvantages of situation.
7. Persian opposition, both commercial and official, to replacing Bushire by
Bunder Abbas as the railway terminus and port for Ears and Central Persia is
certain.
8. However possible it might prove to delay the construction of a Bushire-Shiraz
alignment, it is bound to come by force of public opinion, and would necessarily compete
with the Bunder Abbas branch, while it is more than questionable whether to leave this
historic connection out of the railway scheme would not be a tactical mistake, of which
our commercial and political rivals would at once take advantage.
9. In the case of either alignment, a continuation of the line towards Ispahan, or at
all events an improved system of transport, is a sine qua non if the import trade from
the coast is intended to be increased arid we are to retain control of the markets of
Ispahan from the Gulf.
10. In either case, it is no doubt realised that the payment of the price of the
concession in Tehran would convey no practical title to construction in districts ruled by
semi-independent chiefs, just in the same way as the Oil Company’s concession has not
freed it from the necessity of compensating the ruler of Arabistan and obtaining his
co-operation.
As a business undertaking, and from the point of view of our trade, I consider the
prospects of commercial profit from a Bushire—Shiraz railroad superior to those of any
other line contempla'-ed from the Gulf, and sufficiently satisfactory to warrant The
project being pushed forward before others that have been mentioned. ■ I strongly urge
a careful survey of the best means of suitably improving Bushire harbour, and the
probable cost ; and a similar investigation at Bunder Abbas.
In conclusion, I am strongly of opinion that the natural lines of commercial
development in Southern Persia offer the best prospects for success of railroad
construction, viz., the existing Bushire-Shiraz and Bunder Abbas—Kerman trade
routes.
H. G. CHICK, Commercial Adviser.

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
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [‎124v] (253/258), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/316, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100045943905.0x000036> [accessed 19 March 2024]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100045943905.0x000036">File 4648/1912 'Railway projects in South Persia; surveys of Gulf ports' [&lrm;124v] (253/258)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100045943905.0x000036">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x0000d0/IOR_L_PS_10_316_0259.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000419.0x0000d0/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image