Development and improvements to Dubai and Sharjah harbours

This file contains:

• 'Dubai Harbour: Report on Proposed Improvements' and 'Sharjah Harbour: Report on Proposed Improvements' by Sir William Halcrow & Partners, January 1955. The reports contain maps of the harbours. It also contains related correspondence (1)
• 'Minutes of discussions regarding Halcrows' survey of Dubai and Sharjah Creeks', and related correspondence (2)
• Correspondence concerning HMG's account with Sir William Halcrow & Partners for the survey work. It includes an auditor's certificate (3-4)
• Correspondence concerning the implementation and financing of work on Dubai Harbour (5)
• Correspondence exploring options for reducing costs and the possibility of a loan from the British Bank of the Middle East (6-7)
• Correspondence concerning the possibility of oil companies financing the harbour project. It includes a suggestion that the shipping firm Gray Mackenzie & Company should be approached for a contribution (8)
• Suggestion to use dredging facilities presently available in Bahrain in order to reduce costs at Dubai (9)
• Correspondence stating that the merchants of Dubai are unwilling to contribute a significant amount of capital towards the harbour scheme. It also discusses the possibility of other Gulf Rulers giving financial aid towards the Dubai Harbour scheme (10-11)
• Letter from N M P Reilly suggesting the idea of looking for a cheaper estimate should be abandoned, discussing possible gifts or loans for financing the project, and raising the idea of appointing a consultant. It also contains 'Dubai Harbour: Report on Proposed Improvements' and 'Sharjah Harbour: Report on Proposed Improvements' by Sir William Halcrow & Partners, January 1955. The reports contain maps of the harbours (12-13)
• Correspondence concerning Taylor Woodrow's interest in building the groyne and the training wall, and letters from Halcrows' senior engineer A Shaw Maclaren to the Political Agent J P Tripp (14)
• Letter from Reilly concerning the suggestion by the Overseas Dredging Company that the Ruler of Dubai might buy a small suction dredge (15)
• Correspondence expressing concern that there appears to be no guarantee that works will be finished within the estimate given by Halcrows. The British Bank of the Middle East wants reassurance. It also mentions local consultation as to whether the depth of dredging could be reduced (16)
• Correspondence expressing Tripp's agreement with Maclaren's conclusions (17)
• Correspondence emphasising the importance of reaching a final decision regarding the Dubai Harbour scheme (18)
• Letter from Tripp stating that local merchants have agreed to loan five lakhs towards the cost of the scheme and that an account has been opened with the British Bank of the Middle East. It also discusses Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum's views on financing the project (19)
• Letter from Tripp expressing the need for advice from a consultant before purchasing a suction dredger and concern about the reliability of Halcrows' estimates (20)
• Report by the Director of Works to the Bahrain Government Malcolm Lees detailing his recommendations for the Dubai Harbour scheme. It also contains related correspondence which mentions the Ruler of Qatar's agreement to provide £400,000 (21)