Basil Cave facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Basil Cave KCMG CB FRGS
Photograph of Cave taken in 1930
Vice-Consul of British East Africa
In office 20 March 1891 – 1 June 1895
British Consul to Zanzibar
In office 1 June 1895 – 9 July 1903
British Consul-General to Zanzibar
In office 9 July 1903 – 1 April 1909
British Consul-General to Algeria
In office 1 April 1909 – unknown
Personal details
Born	Basil Shillito Cave 14 November 1865 Mill Hill, Middlesex, England
Died	9 October 1931 (aged 65) Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Sir Basil Shillito Cave (1865–1931) was an important British diplomat. He worked for the British government's Foreign Office, which handles international relations. He is best known for his role in starting the Anglo-Zanzibar War in 1896, which was the shortest war in history.

Basil Cave was the son of Thomas Cave, who was a Member of Parliament. His brother, George Cave, became a very important politician, serving as Home Secretary. Basil Cave started his career as a Vice-Consul in British East Africa in 1891.

Early Life and First Jobs

Basil Cave was born on November 14, 1865. His father, Thomas Cave, was a politician who represented the area of Barnstaple in the British Parliament. Basil had several brothers and sisters. His brother, George Cave, became a well-known lawyer and politician. George later served as the Home Secretary, a very senior government position.

Basil Cave worked as a civil servant for the British Foreign Office. This meant he worked for the government, dealing with other countries. On March 20, 1891, he became the Vice-Consul for the British area in East Africa. His job was to live in Mombasa and represent British interests there.

In 1892, Basil Cave married Mary Creighton McClellan in Zanzibar. They had two children, Joy Mary and Kenneth McClellan. Kenneth later joined the Royal Artillery in the army.

In 1893, when the Sultan of Zanzibar died, there was some trouble. British marines were sent to keep order. Basil Cave was put in charge of some of these marines and local soldiers at the British Agency. This was to make sure the new Sultan, Hamad bin Thuwaini, could take power peacefully.

The Shortest War: Anglo-Zanzibar War

On June 1, 1895, Basil Cave became the main British Consul in Zanzibar. A big problem came up the very next year. On August 25, 1896, Sultan Hamad bin Thuwaini died. His nephew, Khalid, quickly took over the palace and declared himself the new Sultan.

However, the British government had already chosen someone else to be the Sultan: Hamoud bin Mohammed. The most senior British diplomat, AH Hardinge, was away in Britain. So, it was up to Basil Cave to deal with the situation.

Cave went to Khalid's palace with General Mathews. He warned Khalid that the British did not accept him as Sultan. Khalid ignored the warning and started to make his palace stronger. Cave kept sending messages, telling Khalid that the British saw his actions as a rebellion. He asked Khalid to give up his claim to the throne.

When Khalid refused, Cave sent a message to his bosses in the Foreign Office. He asked for permission to use force. He also told all other foreign officials not to recognize Khalid as Sultan, and they agreed. During this time, Mrs. Cave opened her home to European women in the town, offering them a safe place.

The British government gave Cave permission to use force the next day. More British warships, led by Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson, arrived. Cave tried to talk to Khalid again, but it didn't work. Finally, Cave gave Khalid an ultimatum: leave the palace by 9 AM the next morning, or the British would open fire.

On the morning of August 27, Khalid still refused to leave. He sent a message saying, "We have no intention of hauling down our flag and we do not believe you would open fire on us." Cave replied, "We do not want to open fire, but unless you do as you are told we shall certainly do so."

At 9:02 AM, the British ships began firing at the palace. This started the Anglo-Zanzibar War. The war lasted only 38 minutes, making it the shortest war in history! About 500 of Khalid's defenders were killed or hurt, and the palace caught fire. The British did not lose anyone.

Khalid escaped the palace and found safety at the German consulate. The Germans refused to hand him over to the British. Even though Cave protested, Khalid was secretly taken away by the German Navy to Dar es Salaam.

After the War in Zanzibar

After successfully putting Hamoud in power as the new Sultan, Basil Cave was honored. He was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1897.

Cave also worked hard to end slavery in Zanzibar. Slavery was finally stopped there in 1897.

In 1902, Cave had another important duty. He went with Prince Ali bin Hamud to Britain. Prince Ali was representing Sultan Hamoud at the coronation of King Edward VII. While they were traveling back, Sultan Hamoud died. Cave told Prince Ali the sad news when they reached Djibouti. It was also Cave's job to tell Ali that the British government had chosen him to be the next Sultan.

On July 9, 1903, Basil Cave was promoted to Consul-General in Zanzibar. This was an even higher diplomatic role. In 1907, there was a mutiny, or rebellion, in the Sultan's army. The Sultan asked Britain for help. No British ships were nearby, so Cave had to ask the German Navy for assistance. The Germans sent a ship to Stone Town harbor. Its presence was enough to make the rebellious soldiers calm down, and their officers were able to restore order.

Later Life and Achievements

Basil Cave left Zanzibar in 1909. He was then appointed Consul-General for Algeria, living in Algiers. He worked hard in Algeria to make the friendship between the French and British people stronger. Lieutenant-General Gordon Casserly even dedicated his book "Algeria To-day" to Cave and his wife because of their efforts.

On January 1, 1925, Basil Cave was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. This honor allowed him to use the title "Sir." He was also a member of the Royal Geographical Society, which promotes geographical discovery and knowledge.

Sir Basil Cave passed away in 1931. His photographs are kept in the National Portrait Gallery in London.