‘Persia – especially Seistan’ [‎281v] (561/949)

Hyacinth at Sbarga,
21st November 1903 .
No. 1295 .
Sir,
I have the honour to make the following observations for the information
of His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India in Council after
my visit to places in the Mussenden Promontory yesterday.
I have tbe honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
GEORUE ATKINSON WILLES, Rear-Admiral,
Commander-in- Chief.
The Secretary to the
Government of India,
Eoreign Department.
(Confidential.)
Memorandum on tlie Mussendeu Promontory, visited 20 th November 1903.
Khor Kawi, on the north-western extremitv of the Maklab Peninsula
is a good and well protected harbour. The northern entrance to the Strait has
a natural break-water running out about two cables in an easterly direction from
the Island of Jezirat A 1 Ghanam, which prevents any swell rollino* in. This
approach is subject to strong tide rips and currents, but is otherwise very easv *
it is necessary to carry plenty of way on entering the Strait. When inside
there is anchorage in from 15 to 19 fathoms of water for If miles in length
and from 3 to 5 cables in breadth, with deep water up to the shore. The
southern entrance is quite landlocked, and is very much easier to apnroach
than the northern, since the tides there are not so strong. A fleet of ei^hr
battleships could lie comfortably at single anchor in single line in the strait
quite secure from all winds; and there would be room to place smaller vessok
if moored* t0 ^ Island ’ and m0re vessels could be accommodated
This is by f ar the best anchorage to suit naval purposes which I have ve
seen m the Gulf, and it has the advantage of being open to some breeze a<
the land is not higK The difference of temperature between Khor Kawi anc
the Elphinstone Imet was very marked on the same afternoon, the latter beim
several degrees hotter and closer. ~
As a coaling station, this would appear to be just the thing we require
it can be easily defended, and ships inside are well out of sight. It would
require to be connected by cable with the Indian Government Telegraph svstem
to get over its present isolation. ° 1 ^ 1 ■
At the lower or southern end of the Strait is a cove on the mainland, called
Gharum, m which were several small dhows and fishing craft, and as palm
exTsts there. 8r ° WlnS 0n the land surroundill S ^ W is evident that fresh later
As soon as the Sphinx is at liberty, Commander Kemp and his officers will
make a carefal survey of this harbour, which will be forwarded S the Idm "
ialty. Until this is done a definite decision cannot be arrived at.
Apparently Khor Kawi has been overlooked of late years, because in thn
sailing ship days it was not used owing to the difficulty of getting out of it under
sail, which steam has now overcome. J & “o uul oi it under
. Asa ^ ara 5 statioi i for guarding the entrance to the Gulf, its position
unique, and unless I am mistaken, will be found better than any 0 f the oth er
p a^es whrch hove been suggested by officer, of His Majesty’s ^a v in the!
various rep >rts upon the subject. J ^ n tnelr
. Ti,e k land of Henjam on the opposite side of the entrance to the Golf
IS emmen ly a war srgnal station; here a Cruiser can come into the Strat
between the Island and Kishm, drop his anchor, communicate by telegraph!