2-979-675 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Island of Karrak, in the Persian Gulf, 1857. Engraving after a sketch by 'Mr. A. Harrison, Master, Indian Navy...The Island of Karrak...is situated thirty miles W.N.W. of Bushire [Bushehr], and nineteen miles from the nearest point of the Persian coast. It surrendered on the 4th of December, with its dependency of Kergo, to a naval and military force, when, before the assembled inhabitants, a proclamation was read by Captain Disbrowe, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf, declaring Karrak to be a free port, and prohibiting slavery. The British colours were then hoisted under a salute of twenty-one guns...Karrak, or Kharrak (the Icarus of Arrian), has an area of twelve or thirteen square miles, with a population of about 300 or 400. It affords a safe anchorage...The greater part of the island is so rocky that little use can be made of it...'. From "Illustrated London News", 1857.