IOR/R/15/2/1088

The correspondence in the file relates to the upkeep, maintenance and replacement of the launches owned by the Bahrain Political Agency. Much of the discussion relates to the Political Agency's launch Felix Jones, which was damaged during a trip from Bahrain to Shiraz in June 1948, and the Political Residency's launch Diana which was in need of frequent repairs.

Also discussed is the purchase of replacement parts through Khalil bin Ebrahim Kanoo, whose company handled the ordering of replacement parts for the launches; the construction, and subsequent sale, of a new launch; sales and purchases of launches; and the difficulties caused by World War Two in attempting to get replacement parts sent to Bahrain.

The file concludes with the attempts made by the Political Agent at Bahrain and Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to obtain a replacement for the launch Felix Jones and for Diana, including correspondence with the Conference and Supply Department of the Foreign Office and the Admiralty to try and find a launch suitable for work in the Persian Gulf.

Other items included in the file are copies, in English and Arabic, of the Standing Orders for the Agency Launch Felix Jones, issued by the Political Agent at Bahrain (folios 258-263); memoranda on the construction of a new launch in 1945 (folios 298-301); an annual statement of expenditure for the launches 1947-8; and statements giving details of the pay for the launch driver and crew both at Bahrain (folios 322v, 324) and at Sharjah (folio 325).