IOR/R/15/6/308

Correspondence and other papers relating to the establishment of British naval facilities at Khor Kuwai (also written Khor Quwai) in Muscat territory. The papers cover several related matters, including: the evacuation of naval stations at Henjam and Basidu; the inter-departmental discussion of the proposals to transfer to Khor Kuwai; plans for recreational facilities, navigational aids and marking, lighting ashore, sanitation, buildings, personnel, tenure of land, defence, landing structures, supplies of water, oil, coal, etc., furniture, and communications; the efforts of the Political Agent in Muscat to obtain permission from the Sultan, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] for the station at Khor Kuwai and, during the Second World War, signal posts at Ras Sharaita and Little Quoin Island; and the death of the station caretaker and one of his assistants in July 1940.

The correspondence comes from: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Muscat; the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; officials at the Foreign Office; officials at the India Office; the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station; the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department; officials at the Admiralty; and the Sultan of Muscat and his representatives.

A memorandum by John Gilbert Laithwaite entitled 'Question whether a Naval Station could be established for use by His Majesty's Ships at Khor Quwai or elsewhere in Muscat Territory compatibly with the existing International Engagements of His Majesty's Government', 2 November 1934, is included in the volume (folios 6-11).