British Admiralty Chart No. 3789. Plans in the Persian Gulf.

Description

This is the British Admiralty’s sheet map for the Persian Gulf, as it was perceived in the 1950s (sheet no. 3789). The map was initially printed in 1951 and subsequently revised several times, this being the 1955 edition. The sheet essentially consists of five inset maps, each of which depicts – in remarkable detail – the nautical approach to key ports and anchorages in the region. The largest of these five approach maps is also the central motif, and covers Khōr Kaliya and Sitra Anchorage.

Sitra Anchorage lies on the island of the same name, which lies just east of the main Bahrain archipelago and only a few kilometers south-east of the capital, Manama. The Anchorage is part of the port of Sitra. Nestled between Sitra Light Buoy and Mina Sulman, it is sheltered from the consistent north-westerly winds in the northern Gulf. The Khor Kaliya (Khawr al Qulay’ah) is a natural tidal channel running through the coral reefs on the northeast coast of Bahrain Island. For centuries if not millennia, this was used to access the natural deep-water basin behind it (i.e. Sitra Anchorage).

In the inset on the right, we find the Dhalaifain Anchorage located between the prominent headlands of Ras al-Ghār and Ras Basit al-Shira’a, on the Saudi Arabian coast, north of Jubail, and facing Bahrain. This, too, would have been a sheltered and safe place for ships to anchor. The name used on the map is not widely recognized today and is likely a naval transliteration of a local crest known as Jabal al Zulayfayn. Most of what is shown on the map is the open water of the anchorage itself, which in this case is provided with ample depth soundings to guide ships wanting to exploit the anchorage.

On the left side of the central map, we find three smaller maps, each showing critical maritime infrastructure. At the top we have a detailed view of Bahrein Harbour, which constitutes the inlet or anchorage between the capital at Manama and the city of Muharraq.

Before the development of modern deep-water ports, such as Mina Salman in the 1960s and Khalifa Bin Salman Port later, ships anchored in the natural roadstead off Manama. Admiralty charts and the Persian Gulf Pilot referred to this as Bahrein Harbour, which essentially implied the anchorage and approach channels serving both Manama and Muharraq, which were sheltered behind the outer reefs of Fasht al Adhom and Fasht al Jarim. The broader term fell out of use once more dedicated ports were constructed in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.

Below the Bahrein Harbour map, we have two distinct “approach maps”: one leading to the port of Dammam, on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia; the other leading to the smaller port of Khobar (Al-Khobar) further north. The ancient port of Dammam is now known as King Abdulaziz Port and is Saudi Arabia’s largest commercial port on the Gulf. As shown on the map, it sits at the head of a long (ca. 18 nautical miles) dredged approach channel that cuts through shallow waters to connect the Dammam berths to the open sea. Al-Khobar is a city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, immediately north of Dammam and south of Dhahran. It fronts the Gulf along a shallow, sandy coast, which is precisely what is shown on this inset.

A Brief History of British Admiralty Charts of Arabia

British Admiralty charts are official nautical maps produced by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) since 1795. Their primary purpose is to ensure safe maritime navigation by providing accurate and reliable information on coastal features, depths, hazards, and port facilities. These charts have been instrumental for naval and commercial vessels worldwide, serving as a standard for international maritime operations. Before World War II, British Admiralty charts were primarily focused on regions of strategic interest to the British Empire. The Middle East, with its vital maritime routes and proximity to British colonial holdings in India and Africa, was an area of significant cartographic attention. However, the scope and detail of charts in this region were limited compared to other parts of the world.

The end of World War II marked a significant shift in global geopolitical dynamics. The Middle East emerged as a region of heightened strategic importance, particularly due to the discovery and exploitation of vast oil reserves. Both British and American interests in securing access to these resources led to increased naval and commercial activity in the Gulf. In response to these developments, the British Admiralty undertook new comprehensive surveys in the region. The 1950s and 1960s saw the publication of detailed nautical charts covering the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and surrounding areas. These charts provided critical information for navigating the complex coastal waters, identifying hazards, and facilitating the safe passage of vessels transporting oil and other goods.

The burgeoning oil industry in Arabia had a direct influence on the scope and detail of Admiralty charts. Key ports such as Ras Tanura, Khobar, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, as well as Bahrain and Kuwait, became focal points for detailed hydrographic surveys. The strategic importance of these locations necessitated accurate and up-to-date charts to support the safe and efficient transportation of oil. The presence of naval forces in the region, both British and American, further underscored the need for precise navigational tools. Providing such data was integral to maintaining maritime security and supporting military operations during periods of heightened tension in the Cold War era.

The post-World War II era was a key period in the history of British Admiralty charts. During this period, the creation of new and updated charts was driven by strategic imperatives and a desire to secure access to Middle Eastern oil resources. Through meticulous surveying and charting, the Admiralty created an essential tool for safe navigation in a region of critical geopolitical importance. These efforts not only facilitated the growth of the global oil industry but also underscored the intertwined nature of cartography, geopolitics, and economic interests in the modern era.