ME725 - A Chart of the Gulf of Arabia

Commander G.B.Brucks

h33" x w54.7"

L

The memorandum states: The survey of the Gulf region was started in 1821 and undertaken by Commander George Barnes Brucks. It does not mention Lieutenants Guy, Cogan, and Captain Maughan and all of the other surveyors who contributed and, in some cases gave their lives to the project. 

 

Between 1821 and 1829 the Honourable East India company marine service, under the auspices of the British Admiralty undertook an extensive survey of the Arabian coastline. By 1822 they had surveyed the Arabian side of the gulf north east from Abothubbee (Abu Dhabi) up to Ras Moosendem on the tip of the Mussendem peninsular which overlooks the straights of Hormuz at the entrance to the gulf from the east. In 1823 the survey, now led by Lieutenants Guy & Brucks, proceeded north west from Abothubbee (Abu Dhabi) to Ras Reccan on the most northerly point of the Qatar peninsular. Up until this time this shore-line had never been surveyed with all earlier depictions of it on British, Dutch, Portuguese and French charts of the ulf simply stating that this coastline was generally unknown and 'infrequently visited by mariners and that it was 'dangerous' - often covered in a thick mist (see Heritage Charts ME709, ME712, ME812, ME716, ME816, ME720 & ME721 & ME821).

 

By 1824 the survey had started to moved further west to include the western coastline of Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait (see Heritage Charts A700). By 1825 they had reached Core Abdullah at the entrance to the Euphrates, the gateway to Basrah and Iraq. The Persian coast of the Gulf was completed between 1826 and 1829 by Lieutenants Brucks and Haines. Surveying in these days was unquestionably a dangerous affair and both Captain Maude and Lieutenant J. M. Guy lost their lives to illness during the making of this extraordinary survey.

 

Amongst the many things of note about this chart is the magnificently ornate title cartouche which at once suggests a once powerful, but crumbling society with plentiful vegetation and a scene of near serenity with gentlemen on a hill overlooking a prosperous city or settlement with Dows in full sale on the water between the two lands, doubtless collecting or delivering goods as befits trading nations. An image which would most certainly suit the interests of the Honourable East India Company.

 

With regard to the chart's accuracy there are flaws especially regarding Longitude, but considering the time it was made one has to wonder at the outstanding abilities of the men who made it: El Bidda (Doha), for instance, is given the position: Lat 25° 16" N., long. 51° 33" E . Comparison with a modern satellite map positions Doha at; Lat 25° 29" N, Long 57° 51" E.

 

All of the numbers which appear on the chart are in fact soundings taken by the survey ships. They show the depth of the sea at each point in fathoms. By following the numbers it is possible to see the actual track of the survey ships used in the survey. Rocks are shown as a succession of xxx's.

 

All in all this chart is not just a masterpiece of surveying or even artistic presentation. It is that very rare thing; a complete work which draws together hundreds of individual surveys made by dozens of men led by the likes of Guy and Brucks. The draughtsman for this work Lieutenant M. Houghton is suitably credited for his work on this and many other individual surveys made for the Honourable Company's Marine Service over a period of many years.

A Chart of the Survey of the Gulf of Arabia