"الخليج الفارسي وخليج عُمان. الموارد والدفاعات الساحلية. ١٩٠٣." [ظ‎‎١‎٦] (١٢٠/٣٩)

28 PERSIAN GULF.—RESOURCES AND DEFENCES.
° Issued for Fleet purposes, 2 June 1902.
Cable.
Rumoured
scheme of
defence.
Turkish post
at Ras-al-
Geit.
Supplies.
The cable of the Tndo-Europeun Telegraph Department from
Bushire to Fao is taken up the Khor Abdalla, and landed on
the mud flat on its N. shore. Thence for upwards of 3| miles
the cable is carried through mud flats and creeks to the 1 ao
station where it meets the land lines under Turkish control.
It is stated that a scheme has been drawn up by the Turkish
military authorities for the defence of the Khor Abdalla. (h’ce
Appendix, p. 82.)
BUBIYAN (or BUBIAN) ISLAND.
(See Admiralty Charts 3,293,* 1,235, and 2,837b.)
Bubiyan Island, on the W. side of the Khor Abdalla, is
about 25 miles long (N. and S.), by 12 miles broad. The
narrow Khor Sabiya (see p. 30) separates the island from the
mainland.
Bubiyan is claimed by the Sheikh of Koweit, and it is stated
that Koweit fishermen, who cultivate ground on the island for a
part of the year, pay rent to Koweit merchants.
There is no permanent population.
At the beginning of 1902, a Turkish post was established on
the narrow peninsula Ilas-al-Geit, on the E. coast of Bubiyan.
In February 1902, 1 officer and 20 Turkish soldiers, detached
from Umkasr (see p. 29), were in camp here, and it was under
stood that the post was to be permanent. A brick house for
stores, &c., was being constructed.
The detachment was reduced to 10 soldiers during the summer
of 1902, probably for the duration of the hot season.
Apparently there was no natural water supply in February
1902, and water as well as all other supplies had to be brought
from Fao in two dhows.
Note .-—The claim of the Sheikh of Koweit to Bubiyan being
disputed by the Turks, it is possible that the detachment may
only be intended to show Turkish occupation, and that Ras-al-
Geit is the most convenient place for communication with Fao
(about 30 miles by dhow), and for the withdrawal of the detach
ment if attacked by Koweit tribesmen.
It might, however, be supposed that a post on the N. shore,
within reach of the garrison at Umkasr, would be preferable if it
were merely desired to fly the Turkish flag.