The settlement of a peace was placed in front of the Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah to arbitrate and, in 1881, Hamad bin Abdullah signed a document confirming him as a dependent of Sharjah. However, he expanded his influence over the area, taking Al Bithnah Fort in a move which was to support his eventual declaration of independence from Sharjah in 1901, a move which enjoyed the recognition of this status by all concerned, with the sole exception of the British.[7] Fujairah's status as a Trucial State was not formally recognised by the British until 1952.