Ottoman naval activities in the Persian Gulf (1847-1914)

Ottoman Empire initiated military, administrative and economic reforms to solve the problems which were underwent during the nineteenth century such as the loss of territory with the result of incessant wars. Apart from these reforms the empire also wanted to maintain the influence around the Arabian Peninsula. Warships and commercial ships were sent to the peninsula, for the opening of the Suez Channel required to develop a new naval strategy. Some political tensions occurred around the Arabian Peninsula because of Great Britain's hegemonic attempts. This dissertation takes interests in the issues such as Ottoman approach to Persian Gulf, the imperial effort spared to hold in the area and the policy followed to make these aims possible. The purpose of this dissertation is to study the Ottoman naval activities which appeared around the Persian Gulf located in the peripheral basin of the empire between the years of 1847-1917. That is why, as the main actor of the naval policy of the empire the formation, function and the works of Naval Commodoreship of Basra (Basra Bahriye Kumandanlığı) are stated. The missions of the commodore were to protect people around the coastal areas of Basra from the foreign threats via navy vessels and to administer the arsenal at the city in which hundreds of people were employed. Key Words: Persian Gulf, Ottoman Naval Commodoreship of Basra, Basra Arsenal, British, Ottoman Navy