IOR/L/MAR/C/587

Volume containing journals and other descriptions of journeys in and around the Arabian Peninsula and India, particularly sea and river journeys. The volume contains:

• ‘Captain Wainwright's Remarks on the Navigation of the Persian Gulph 1809-1810’ (folios 3-28), containing a description of the navigation of the Gulf and the ports, anchorages and other notable places along its coastline, written by Captain John Wainwright of the East India Company ship Chiffonne
• ‘Captain Sadlier's Diary of his Mission to Arabia 1819-20’ (folios 29-192), containing a description of an expedition across Arabia by Captain George Forster Sadlier to deliver a confidential message from the Government of Bombay to Ibrahim Pacha, commander of the Egyptian forces in the Wahhabi War (also known as the Ottoman-Saudi War). The message to Ibrahim, offering military support to future Ottoman actions against the Wahabees [Saudis] and Joasmee [Al-Qasimi], is included on folios 37-40. A letter containing instructions to Sadlier is on folios 33-37. Folios 40-61 describe Sadlier’s journey from Bombay [Mumbai] to Bushire, April-June 1819, calling at Muscat in May to inform the Imam of his mission. Sadlier’s journey from Kuteef [Qatif, also written as Katief and Katuffe] to Yambo [Yanbu] is described in brief on folios 29-33. The same journey, Sadlier’s interactions with Ibrahim, and his return journey as far as Jeddah are described in detail on folios 61-190
• ‘Captain Bedford's Journals of the Survey of the Burrampooter River - 1824 & 1825’ (folios 193-304), containing a description by Captain James Bedford of a survey of the Burhampooter [Brahmaputra] River, also called the Dihung [Dihang] River. A small sketch map of part of the river is included on folio 260. Folios 303-304 contain a brief vocabulary of the Mismee [Mishmi] language
• ‘Captain Bonamy's Memoranda on the North West Frontier of British India and of the importance of the River Indus as connected with it's [sic] defence 1830’ (folios 305-383), containing a description of the area and notes on the defence of British India against a theoretical invasion by Russia
• ‘Lieutenant Welsted's Memoir regarding the Red Sea and Steam Navigation between Europe & India 1832’ (folios 384-497), containing a description of the navigation of the Red Sea and the ports, anchorages and other notable places along the coastline, written by Lieutenant James Raymond Wellsted [written as Welsted or Welstead] of the East India Company ship Palinurus, as part of a survey under the command of Captain Thomas Elwon of the East India Company ship Benares. A description of the ‘inhabitants to the Northward of Juddah’ [Jeddah] is included on folios 460-473
• ‘Lieutenant Wybard's Journal of an Excursion into Arabia 1832’ (folios 497-534), containing a description of a journey into Arabia by Lieutenant J W Wybard in September-December 1832. Folios 499-509 contain Wybard’s journal describing his journey from Bushire to Bussora [Basra] on the East India Company ship William IV, from Bussora to Bahrein [Bahrain] and then to Ajeer [Uqair] on various Arabian vessels, overland from Ajeer to Ehiasa [Hofuf], and an aborted attempt to reach Readth [Riyadh] before returning by the same route. Folios 509-513 contain descriptions of Ehiasa and Bahrein. Folios 517-532 contain a description of ‘the Arab Tribes on the Banks of the Euphrates and Tigris’. Folios 533-534 contain ‘A Map of the Oases of El Hasa’ [El Ahsa] [IOR/L/MAR/C/587, ff 533v-534].