2 feet when loaded, and ’the cabins would afford good and airy accommodation
for officers and crew. A speed of 12 'knots may be ‘Obtained when loaded, draft
of 2 'feet, and the boilers would be so constructed as to work regularly at a
pressure of 10 to 12lbs. per square inch; but being proved to stand at least
40 lbs. pressure, they may be worked as high as 20 lbs. when rapids or an
increased strength of current are to be encountered. The cost of such a vessel in
England complete, will be 4,000Z.; and when launched on the river Euphrates,
about 6,0901,
Suitability of The reports of the officers of the Expedition, given in the preceding part of the
maUcommuni- Append>x> ^ave pointed out the advantages of this line for mail communication
cation, with India, either as an auxiliary to the Red Sea, or, in case of any interruption
occurring in that line, and they have indicated at the same time an important
and for opening to our commerce by the steam navigation of these rivers. It now remains
enterprise^ to sc0Pe f°t British enterprise afforded by the great rivers of Mesopotamia.
The existing trade between India and the Persian 'Gulf has been already
noticed ;* and in the impetus which it is hoped this commerce would receive from
Ormdz, its the opening of the rivers, Ormftz, at 'the entrance of the Gulf, would in some
present todde degree participate. This place, ‘once -'so celebrated for its opulence'and extensive
trade, is now a miserable fishing island, farmed by the imam of Muskat from the
king of Persia. He derives, however, a considerable revenue from the exportation
of salt in large quantities to different parts of the Gulf. It ‘abounds in iron and
copper ore. The harbour is good, and there is excellent anchorage on the north
side of the town. The Portuguese ‘had possession of the 'island from U’507 :to
1622, when they were expelled by'Shah ’AbbSs and the English, and the greater
Its commerce part of the trade was transferred to Gam run or Bander ’Abbas. The English,
transferred to Prencli, and Butch had factories there, of which the Dutch factory alone remains
Bander ’Abbas. . ’ . , _ J ,
in a state of preservation, being used'as a residence by the Imam. Yet the trade
is still considerable: in 1827 the Imam of Muskat, to whom the port belongs,
collected a revenue of 8,000 or 10,000 dollars. Its exports are Persian carpets,
tobacco, and dried fruits; its imports, Indian cloths, piece goods, and China
ware; the annual value of these articles was, at the same period, estimated
at about three lakhs of rupees. Although the rise of Bushire has diverted .commerce
from Bandar’Abbas, it is still one of the routes to the centre of Persia,;
and when, a few years since, Bushire continued for some time in a disturbed
state, the former recovered some of itS‘earlier importance. In the neighbourhood
of the little village of Khamir, higher up the Gulf, are sulphur mines, extensively
worked, the sulphur being exported in large quantities to Muskat. Beyond this
again is the large island of Kishm, its principal towns being Kishm, Laft, and
Kishm Its Bassadore; the latter with a good port and station for the Indian navy. The
harbour, and harbour of Kishm is also good, and its site well chosen. It was formerly of
commerce* greater commercial importance than at present, but its bazar is still well supplied
with fruits from the interior of Persia; while good wines, all kinds of dried
Articles of
export and
import.
1 Appendix (H.)
fruits, silk and cotton ¡stuffs, with very fine -soft carpets of the richest patterns
and dye, are to be had 'there in abundance: the latter measuring 6 or 7 feet long
by 3 feet broad, were sold for 'twenty dollars each.1 A considerable part of the Trade of
trade of the Gulf is centred in Bushire, which supplies Shiraz and a large
portion of Persia with European and Indian goods, receiving silk and bullion in
return. It is frequented by ships from all parts of India. Lieutenant Kemp-
thorne mentions having seen fourteen native merchant vessels in its port at once
and the author at a later period has seen almost as many.
The following is a statement from the house -of ’'Constantine and ‘Co., Bushire,
March, 1841:—
(Number of Ships not stated^
Bushire and Bombay.-—IS to 20 bagaJas employed, carrying Persian-horses, -800 to
1*000 yearly, from ,25'to 35 Company’s rupees’ freight
each ; ships charging 40 to 45 rupees .eaoh.
, , 1,500 bales Persian, silk-of 75 lbs. each ; some years 2,000
bales or more.
, , Almonds, quince seed, gall-nuts.
, , ‘Bullion, coins of all lands, quantity uncertain, probably
•20/3001.“to 30,0001.
,,, Dried fruits, raising, nuts, &c., rose-water, wine, aniseedwater,
gums, drugs, tec.
Bushire and Calcutta.—-Two or three ships yearly; returns are hills on Bombay,
and the same articles as mentioned above to Bombay.
Bushire and Batavia.—A 6hip yearly; takes hack dates, wheat, ghee, with some
other artidles, and bullion.
The imports into Bushire ¡are ¡European and Indian:manufactures, .and -produce of
all kinds.
Exports from
Bushire to
India, &c.
The next ¡port is Mohammerah, 41 miles up the Euphrates, at the mouthof the Port of
Karun, a place already possessing considerable trade, which is capable of great ^Jtheriier
¡increase. This river has been found to be navigable for steamers as far as Shuster, Karun.
which would form an ¡admirable centre for trade, and where the appointment of Its suitability
an English resident would be attended with great advantages to commerce.
In 183 0 the author descended the Kanin in a large Arab vessel .carrying .cargos,
and -it has since been navigated on three occasions by steamers.
Dr. Layard, writing to .an eminent English merchant in .1843, thus .describes
the capabilities of the ¡country:—
“ I believe Susiana to be a province highly .capable of the most varied cultiva- Dr. bayard’s
tion, the soil is rich, labour cheap, the inhabitants well disposed, and the .country g ^ ^ 10n of
traversed by several noble navigable rivers; but some protection is needed, and
the Persian government should be induced to require the appointment of anonsul
at Shuster. The land is highly favourable for the cultivation of cotton, which is
now much neglected, but which might he much improved. I made many inquiries
as to the growth -of hemp, guided by your notes, which Mr. Hector kindly
1 Sketch of Islands, &c^ at the entrance of the Persian Gulf^ by Lieutenant Whitelock, 1.1SL,
Royal Geographical Journal, vol. VIII., pp. 170-177, compared with Survey along the Eastern
Shores Of the Persian Gulf, by Lieutenant G. B. ¡Eempthorne, East India Company’s Marine,
ibid., vol. V.. pr 275, &c.