Vol 179 1852/53 Squadron, Persian Gulf

This file contains letters, both inward and outward, relating to the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf (also referred to as the Persian Gulf Squadron). Most of the correspondence is between the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron and the Resident in the Persian Gulf. At the beginning of 1852, the Resident in the Persian Gulf was Samuel Hennell, who is the recipient of the first two letters in this file. In March 1852, Hennell was succeeded by Arnold Burrowes Kemball, who appears as both correspondent and recipient. The other officers who appear as both correspondent and recipient are John Patterson Porter, Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, and his successor, George Robinson. In addition to the letters between the aforementioned offices there are four letters, addressed to the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, which were originally enclosed with other letters (not present in this file) from the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron to the Resident in the Persian Gulf. The correspondents of these letters are: Lieutenant George William Leeds, Commander of the Honourable Company's schooner Constance; Lieutenant James Longden Stevens, Commander of the Honourable Company's sloop Clive; Lieutenant James Tronson, Commander of the Honourable Company's brigantine Tigris. Much of the correspondence in the file includes intelligence received from the Native Agent at Sharjah, Hadji Yacoob. Subjects covered include: an attack against the Banī Qitab tribe, reportedly launched by Shaikh Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan of Abu Dhabi; reported acts of piracy off the Arabian coast; the whereabouts of the plundered cargo of the merchant ship, the Centaur; reports of slaves being imported from Zanzibar.

For the most part, this file is arranged in chronological order; there are three cases where a letter is followed by a letter from an earlier date. The dates of the letters range from 12 January to 8 December 1852.

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