By Mahmoud Zakaria In 1868, A Locher, an American adventurer, embarked on a journey through the Gulf region en route to Iraq. The purpose of his trip was to purchase high-bred horses on behalf of Napoleon III (1852-1870). Locher began his travels in western India aboard the merchant steamer Penang, departing from the port of Mazagaon.
The ship journeyed along the coast of Oman, crossed the Strait of Hormuz, and entered the Gulf, making Kuwait its first stop. This marked a historic moment, as it was the first time a steamship docked at Kuwait’s isolated port. Locher stayed as a guest of Sheikh Abdullah II, the fifth ruler of Kuwait, who governed from 1865 to 1891.
In his book ‘With Star and Crescent’, published in 1888 by Aetna Publishing Co in Philadelphia, Locher documented the details of his travels. This account provides a rare and valuable description of the political and social life in Kuwait during the mid-19th century, with the fourth chapter offering an in-depth account of his time in the region. (Edited for clarity) Arrival and First Impressions As the Penang entered Kuwait’s harbor, it fired three cannon shots that echoed across the calm waters, drawing the attention of the town’s inhabitants.
Crowds quickly gathered on the beach to witness the arrival of the steamer. Locher observed that no boats were floating in the harbor, as most were pulled ashore, their shapes resembling alligators basking under the scorching sun. Soon, a boat approached the steamer,.
