IOR/L/PS/12/2093

This file discusses plans for the construction of a lighthouse near Jeddah harbour. It includes the following principal correspondents:

• The British Agent and Consul at Jeddah (Reader William Bullard, succeeded by Hugh Stonehewer Bird).
• The British Vice-Consul at Jeddah (Stanley R Jordan).
• His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires to Jeddah (Albert Spencer Calvert).
• His Majesty's Minister at Jeddah (Sir Andrew Ryan).
• Officials of the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, the Board of Trade's Mercantile Marine Department, the Admiralty, and the Corporation of Trinity House.
• Agents and representatives of various shipping companies and associations, including the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company Limited, the Persian Gulf Steam Navigation Company Limited, Alfred Holt and Company, the UK Chamber of Shipping, and the Liverpool Steam Ship Owners' Association.

The correspondence discusses the following:

• The condition of an existing beacon on the Mismari Reef, near Jeddah harbour.
• Attempts made by the British Agent and Consul at Jeddah (Reader William Bullard) to persuade King Hussein [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] to agree to the construction of a lighthouse close to Jeddah harbour.
• Investigations into whether the various reefs cited as suitable locations for the proposed lighthouse are within King Hussein's territorial waters or not.
• Ownership of the Jeddah-Port Sudan cable.
• Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd's] reported willingness to meet the expenses for the construction of the proposed lighthouse, following his deposition of King Hussein (later in the correspondence it is suggested that Ibn Saud had been misunderstood, since it is reported that he would not be willing to fund the construction of the lighthouse).
• Details regarding the requirements for the proposed lighthouse (e.g. which kinds of lights are most suitable) and the overall cost of construction.
• A report by the Commander of HMS Endeavour, S A Geary Hill, regarding the most suitable location for the proposed lighthouse.
• Difficulties encountered in appointing an engineer to survey the reefs near Jeddah harbour.
• Reports that the Saudi Government intends to increase tonnage dues at the port of Jeddah.

The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.