IOR/R/15/1/138, ff 193-199

The letter relates to an act of piracy committed to a boat belonging to the town of Ra's al-Khaymah off the coast of Africa in spring 1852, and continuing British efforts to seek restitution over the act.

The letter includes a number of enclosures:

1. Letter no.281 of 1853 (folios 193-94B) from Kemball to Major Atkins Hamerton, Her Majesty's Consul and the Honourable Company's Agent in the dominions of His Highness the Imam of Muscat, dated 20 September 1853. Kemball reports on his correspondence with Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr, in which he has demanded 190 dollars reparation for the act of piracy. Kemball states that Sheikh Sultan objected to the reparation, stating that though the boat belonged to an inhabitant of Ra's al-Khaymah, its crew were subjects of the Imam of Muscat. In consequence, Kemball requests from Hamerton that further enquires by made at Muscat;

2. A letter (folios 194B-96A) from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr], to Kemball, dated 31 August 1853. Sheikh Sultan states that the crew of the boat involved in the act of piracy were all people of the Batinah, and hence subjects of Syed Saeed ben Sultan [Said bin Sultan, Sultan of Muscat and Oman];

3. Letter no.13 of 1853 (folios 196B-99) from Hamerton to Kemball, dated 27 June 1853. Hamerton reports on enquires made about the fate of the boat involved in the act of piracy, and his instructions left with the British Agent at Muscat, Khojeh Hiskael, while he was in Zanzibar. Hamerton also expresses regret at the delay in reporting his findings.