Telegraph Island

Telegraph Island (also known as Arabic: جزيرة تليغراف, Jazīrat al Maqlab, and Şağīr) is located in the Elphinstone Inlet or Khor Ash Sham, the inner inlet of Khasab Bay, less than 400 meters off the shore of the Musandam Peninsula, and less than 500 meters south of much larger but also much lesser known Sham Island, both of which are parts of the Sultanate of Oman.

It was not an easy posting for the operators, with the severe summer heat and hostility of local tribes making life extremely uncomfortable.

Tourism has grown in the Persian Gulf region, so the island is regularly visited by dhows carrying tourists to view the ruins and to fish and snorkel in the waters around it.

Telegraph Island is situated in a fjord at the northern end of the Musandam Peninsula, which forms part of the Oman mountain range described by the geologist George Martin Lees as "projecting like a spur into the vitals of Persia" (today's Iran).

[3] Fresh-water springs that once flowed over the land may have become submerged, possibly giving rise to stories of sailors diving into the sea to collect fresh water in leather bags.

Attention was focused on the Persian Gulf and, following a report by Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Stewart, a decision was taken to lay a cable to Musandam from Gwadar.

Unfortunately, the Turks experienced problems in completing the link from Baghdad to Fao, primarily due to attacks by hostile tribes in Mesopotamia, which were only stopped after negotiations with local sheikhs and by stationing guards at close intervals along the line.

[5] After the repeater station had been established on Telegraph Island, it became apparent that the location was unsuitable, with extreme heat making life unbearable for the operators and leading to the death of two in two years.

[5] After it was evacuated, Telegraph Island remained an important strategic point, as evidenced by the decision of the British Government in 1904 to erect flagpoles there.

[7] The Musandam Peninsula is a popular tourist destination, with modern hotels in and around the town of Khasab and boat trips to the Elphinstone Inlet.

[7] Telegraph Island is currently undergoing a major tourism development project to build a multi-purpose hall, marine platform and mountain walkway.

[11] In an episode of the fantasy television show Warehouse 13, titled "Around the Bend", aired on the Syfy Channel on 10 August 2010, a fictional military telegraph from the island is recognised by a character as causing "violent insanity".