IOR/R/15/1/149, ff 147-157

The letter and its enclosures are related to an incident in which a buggalow [boat] sailing under British colours became stranded on the coast off Sharjah, and was subsequently plundered of its cargo of rice and coffee by inhabitants of that place. The enclosures to Jones’s letter include reports from the British Agent at Sharjah [Hajjī Yaqoob], and correspondence with Shaikh Sultan ben Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr] of Shajah, demanding compensation for the act of piracy. The enclosures are as follows:

1. A letter (folios 148-49) from Hajee Yacoob [Hajjī Yaqoob] to Jones, dated 8 November 1855, describing the shipwreck and plunder of the vessel, and his subsequent meeting with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr;

2. A second letter (folio 150) from Yaqoob to Jones, dated 25 November 1855, describing attempts to refloat the stricken boat;

3. A letter from (folio 151) from Jones to Yaqoob, dated 4 December 1855, enclosing a letter (folio 153), also dated 4 December 1855, from Kemball for delivery to Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr. The second letter is a strong protest from Jones at the incident, informing the Shaikh that a British Man of War has been despatched to Sharjah, charged with investigating the incident;

4. A letter (folio 152) from Jones to Yaqoob, dated 12 December 1855, enclosing a second letter to Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr (folio 154), dated 12 December 1855. This letter states that, should the shipwrecked vessel be lost, Jones will hold the Shaikh accountable for its full value;

5. Letter no.423 of 1855 (folios 155-56) from Jones to Commodore R. Ethersey, Commanding Officer Persian Gulf Squadron, dated 5 December 1855. The letter is an instruction for the despatch to Sharjah of one of the Persian Naval Squadron’s vessels to assist the British Agent at Sharjah in seeking compensation for and the perpetrators of the plunder;

6. Letter no.437 of 1855 (folio 157) from Jones to Ethersey, dated 13 December 1855, reporting on the progress made in floating the stricken vessel at Sharjah.