IOR/L/PS/10/215

The volume contains correspondence, memoranda, notes, and minutes relating to the looting of the SS Kuala by inhabitants of Socotra following its grounding off the coast of the island in November 1911. Some of the correspondence is included as enclosures, sometimes in the form of printed collections relating to a particular matter. The volume includes handwritten drafts. The majority of the correspondence is between the Imperial Merchant Service Guild, India Office, Foreign Department of the Government of India, Government of Bombay, Salvage Association, Port Authorities at Bombay, and the Political Residency at Aden.

The papers cover several matters, including:

• the initial report of the incident, by Robert McKinnon, Chief Officer aboard the SS Kuala (folios 109-113);
• the request by the Imperial Merchant Service Guild for action by the India Office;
• the condition of the vessel;
• the whereabouts of the remaining crew members and their rescue by Austrian Steam Navigation Company vessel SS Trieste;
• the question of compensation;
• a proposal for a general survey of the island.

At the rear of the volume is correspondence from 12 October 1897-13 January 1898 concerning a similar case involving SS Aden which was used to inform the discussion over that of SS Kuala.