At single anchor standing by RMS Orotava Reef. Wind SE force 5 to 8 with broken clouds and squalls.
Heavy and confused seas. Barometer 30.09 inches rising to 30.16 at

0800 and then falling to 30.10 at 1600 before finishing at midnight at 30.16 inches. Temperature at noon 79F.
0200. Exercised seaboat’s crews.
0810. Fired Breech load blank to port. RMS Orient closed and communicated.
0930. Day break.
0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Shortened to 8 shackles.
1005. Let go RMS Orotava under fort. Ordinary Seamen and boys at seamanship. Remainder of Ship’s Company as requisite. Noon.  RIMS Minto arrived and anchored.N41E. Wind SE force 4 to 7.
1330. Ordinary Seamen and boys at communications. Remainder as requisite. Weighed and catted stream anchor.
15.15. Buoyed and slipped RMS Orotava’s hawser.
1550. Shortened to 3 shackles.
1600. Weighed.
1610 Proceeded as required E by S.
1630. 65 revolutions S42E.
1700. Put over P log.
1735. Rahaita abeam. (Rahayta, also spelled Rahaita, is a town in the Southern Red Sea region of Eritrea)
1820. Peruin Light S52E. Altered course to S39E.
2000. Altered course as required for entering Peruin.
2035. Course S60E.
2100. Exercised seaboat’s crews and watch closing watertight doors.
2220. Course S55E sounded Thompson machine – 33 fathoms.
2340. Lost sight of Peruin Light.

Thompson sounding machine

Coal expended 11 tons 17 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Course S55E at 7.6 knots. Wind SE by S force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Slight sea. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.19 at 0800 before falling to 30.09 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. Temperature at noon 80F. 0100. Sounded with Thompson machine – 33 fathoms. 0215. Altered course to N73E. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Close watertight doors. 0315. Sounded with Thompson machine – 170 fathoms. 0435. Sounded in 40 fathoms. 0855. Increased to 70 revolutions – 8.2 knots.  0922. Altered course to N53E. 1100. Hauled in P.Log 133. Draught of water forward 13 feet 2 inches Aft 16 feet.  Course and speed for entering Aden Harbour. Passed HMS Iphigenia.

(Ordered under the Naval Defence Act 1889, Iphigenia was laid down in 1891 at the yard of the London and Glasgow Shipbuilding Company. She returned from duty on the China Station in 1906.) Noon. Came to in inner harbour in 3 ½ fathoms with pebble bottom. Secured stern to number 2 buoy. Coal lighters came alongside. 1330 Coaling ship. 1430. Knocked off coaling. Received 246 tons. Watered ship. Preparing for sea.  1600.  Shortened in. 1630. Weighed. Proceeded as required for turning outwards.1650. Course S74W at 70 revolutions- 5.2 knots.  1712. 78 revolutions. 1720 S74W. Put P log over. 1745.  95 revolutions. Mustered at Quarters. 1753. 112 revolutions. 1805. 122 revolutions – 14. Knots. 2115. Altered course to S72W. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Close watertight doors. 2200. Altered course as required through Peruin Small Strait.  Coal expended 27 tons 10 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea. Course and speed as requisite. Wind SE ½ S force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.11 at noon before falling to 30.06 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.08 inches. Temperature at noon 81F. 0015. Peruin Light observed. Double bitted both cables. 0025. Course S57W.0115. Sighted RMS Orotava Reef aground. Eased to 50 revolutions. Handed in P.log. Course as for closing Orotava Reef. 0230. Came to in 8 fathoms with pebble bottom.  Veered to 6 shackles. 0630. Sighted HMS Marathon. 0755. Wind SE by S force 4 to 6. Hailed MARTHON and communicated. 0800. Shortened in. P & O SS B (?) (Unable to read handwriting) arrived. 0810. Weighed. Proceeded as requisite for laying off. 0920. Took MARATHON’s cutter in tow. Towed it to MARATHON. 0940. Proceeded at 85 revolutions on course S54E. 1000. Put over P.log. 1015. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1100. Altered course to S48E. 1120. Course S27E. Noon. Positions 12.42N 43.23E. Wind SE force 5 to 6.  1210. Course as for Peruin Small Strait. 1330. Connected hand steering gear.  1400. Altered course to S60E. 1650. Altered course to N77E. 1700. Mustered at Quarters. Preparing for coaling. 2100. Sounded in 32 fathoms – sand. 2200. Aden light NE by E. 2330. Altered course to NE ½ E. Connected (?)(The wording has been written over) steering gear. 2350. Course and speed as requisite for entering Aden Harbour. Hauled in P. Log. Coal expended 20 tons 16 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

Entering Aden Harbour. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.27 inches falling to 30.07 at 1500 beofre finishing at midnight at 30.17 inches. Temperature at noon. 80F. 00.10 Stopped. 0002. Came to in 5 ¼ fathoms in Aden Inner Harbour. Secured stern to number 2 buoy.

30. HMS Iphigenia proceeded. Draught forward 13 feet. Aft 15 feet 8 inches. 0630. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 200 lbs of bread. 0730. Coal lighter came alongside. 0745. Commenced coaling. 0930. RIMS Minto arrived. 0935. HMS Marathon arrived. 100. Employed coaling. 1100. Watered ship. 1230. Finished coaling. Received 103 tons. 1400. Provisioning and cleaning ship. 1500. Preparing for sea. 1600. Draught forward 14 feet 8 inches. Aft 15 feet 10 inches. Three men returned from hospital. 1815. Shortened in. 1830. Weighed. Proceeded as requisite out of harbour. Worked up to 90 revolutions. 1900 Put over P. Log. Course S52 E. `945 () Revolutions. 2020. Altered course to N72E. 2130. Increased to 103 revolutions – 11.2 knots. 2142. Increased to 109 revolutions – 12.2 knots. 2200. Exercised seaboat’s crews and close watertight doors. Coal expended 15 tons 2 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea. Course N72E at 12.5 knots. Slight sea. Wind ENE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.18 at 0800 before falling to 30.10 at 1500 and finishing at midnight at 30.17 inches. Temperature at noon. 80F. 0200. Exercised Seaboat’s crews and close watertight doors. 0430. Sounded in 50 fathoms.  0500. Sounded in 50 fathoms. 0605 Sun rose S84E by standard compass. 0730. Put clock on 4 minutes. 0800. Routine. Noon Position 13.30N 48.7E Wind ENE force 3. 1330. Employed as requisite. 1752. Sunset S 81E by standard compass. 200. Watch man and arm ship. 2200. Altered course to N62 ½ E. exercised Seaboat crews. Exercised close watertight doors. Coal expended 41 tons 5 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Course N62 ½ E at 12.5 knots with smooth sea. Wind ENE force 3 with overcast sky. Barometer 30.15 inches rising to 30.27 at noon before falling to 30.16 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.16 inches. Temperature at noon 83F.  0200. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised Close watertight doors.  0800. (?) (Something abeam – unable to read handwriting.) 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1000. Put clock on 17 minutes. Exercises Small Arms Companies and Marines at drill. Ordinary Seamen of watch at signals. Remainder employed as requisite. Noon. Position 15.11N 52.35E Wind ENE force 1 with broken cloud. 1303. Issued soap and tobacco to Ship’s Company. 1400. Ordinary Seamen and boys at seamanship.  Remainder employed as requisite. 1700. Mustered at quarters. Exercised at General Quarters. 1907. Reduced to 104 revolutions. 2200. Exercised seaboat’s crews and exercised watch to close watertight doors. Coal expended 39 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Course N62 ½ E at 12.5 knots with smooth sea. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.14 inches rising to 30.20 at 0800 before falling to 30.09 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 20.12 inches. Temperature at noon. 81F. 0010. Put clock on 16 minutes. 0200. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0700. Aired bedding. 01718. Altered course to N48 ½ E. 0800. Mustered by divisions and read prayers. 0930. Inspected bedding. 1030. Altered course to N32 ½ E. reset P. Log.  Ordinary seamen and boys at gunnery. Remainder as requisite. Noon. Position 17.20N 56.55E. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. 1400. Make and mend. 1645 Eased to 85 revolutions. 1700. Mustered at Quarters. Read and exercised stations for watch – man and arm ship. 2100. Exercised watch close watertight doors. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Coal expended 33 tons 14 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Course n32 ½ E at 10.4 knots with smooth sea. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.16 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.11 inches. Temperature at noon. 80F. 0100. Sounded in 50 fathoms. Put clock on 16 minutes. 0200. Exercised sea boat’s crews. Exercised watch close watertight doors. 0300. Sounded in 50 fathoms. 0500. Sounded in 55 fathoms. 0605. Sun rose N89 ½ E. 0710. Southern end of Masirah Island abeam

Masirah Island also referred to as Mazeira Island and Wilāyat Maṣīrah (Arabic: وِلَايَة مَصِيْرَة ), is an island off the east coast of mainland Oman in the Arabian Sea .

800. Altered course to N15E Reset P.log. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Exercised at General Quarters – collision and fire stations. Exercised watch firing Morris tube and scrubbing canvas gear. Noon. Position 20.42N 59.30E Wind NW force 1. 1210. Altered course to N6W at 8.5 knots. 1330. Ordinary Seamen firing Morris tube. 1534. Hauled in P.Log. – 77.4. 1555. Stopped. Exercised watch sounding with deep sea gear. 55 fathoms sand. 1610 Exercised watch sounding. 35 fathoms sand. 1640. Dropped target. Proceeded as requisite for tube cannon practice. 1735.  Finished firing. Picked up target. Proceeded N35E at 85 revolutions. 1745 Sun set S77 ½ E.  1755. Put over P.Log.  2015. Man and arm ship.  Direct search light Exercised watch at closing watertight doors. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Remarkably brilliant phosphorous appearance in the sea. Midnight altered course to N4W at 10. 5 knots. Coal expended 22 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Aden to Maskat. (Mascat) Course N 4 W at 9 knots with smooth sea. Wind WNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.12 at

0800 before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F.

0100. Exercised at close watertight doors. Exercised Seaboat’s crew.
0230. Altered course to N46W. Put clock on 5 minutes.
0700. Routine.
1000. Employed cleaning ship throughout.
1055. D????s Gap (Unable to read handwriting) abeam.
10.58 Altered course to N72W. Noon. Position 23.34N 59.4E. Course N72W at 10 knots. Maskat N82W 26 ½ miles.
1400. Connected steam steering.
1430. Altered course as requisite for entering cove.
1510. Proceeded as requisite for entering harbour.
1515. Stopped and came to in 7 ½ fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. Saluted Sultan with 21 guns. Fort returned with 21 guns.  Laid out kedge anchor S34E.
1800 Quarters.  Saluted Political Consul with 11 guns on leaving ship.
1900. Observed French gunboat Surprise at anchor.
19.30 Let fires die out in all boilers. Draught 13 feet 3 inches forward. 15 feet 8 inches aft.
Coal expended 14 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At single anchor in Maskat (Muscat) Cove. Wind SW force 1 increasing to force 4 at midnight. Broken cloud.  Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.07 before falling to 29.97 at 2000 and finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. 0900. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 250 lbs of bread. ????? (Cannot read handwriting) ship from boats. Divisions. Performed Divine Service. PM. Gave leave to Seedies boys

The Seedies (the name comes from a Hindi word (sidi)), were mostly employed in less skilled jobs. They were Muslim, and the navy recruited them from ports on the Indian Ocean, primarily from Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Quarters. Prepared for coaling. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At single anchor in Muscat Cove. Wind SW force 2 to 4 with dying squalls. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.08 at noon before falling 30.06 and finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. Received 122 of fresh beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 250 lbs of bread. Blacking down rigging. Arrived R.I.M.S Dawureua? Flying the flag of Resident of Dushire. Employed as requisite. Resident of Dushire visited. Saluted on leaving with 15 guns. Employed as requisite. Sailed French Gunboat Surprise. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At single anchor in Muscat Cove. Wind SW force 1 becoming calm. With broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches rising to 30.22 at midnight. Temperature at noon 80F. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 61 lbs of vegetables. Divers employed cleaning H.W fittings. 0800/ Raised steam in number 1, 4 and 5 boilers. 0800. Coal lighter came alongside. Coolies employed coaling ship. Ordinary Seamen at ammunition instruction. Banked fires in boilers. Coaling ship. 1600. Finished coaling. Received 147 tons. Draught 14 feet 8 inches forward. 16 feet aft. Gave leave to Seedies boys.

Coal expended 3 tons 17 cwt.  Number on sick list 6.

At single anchor in Muscat Cove.  Wind calm with broken cloud until pm then becoming SW force 1. Barometer 30.15 inches rising to 30.19 inches at 0800 before falling to 30.11 at 1600 and finishing 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 76F.  0618. Exercised man and arm boats. 0700. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables. 1000. Employed as requisite. Party firing Morris tubes. 1400. Make and mend clothes. 1700. Quarters. 2100. Distilling. Coal expended 5 tons 17 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At single anchor in Muscat Cove.  Wind calm with broken cloud until noon then north force 1. 1600 ESE force 1. 200. SE by S force 2. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 before falling to 30.05 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. 0400. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 470 lbs of bread. 1800. Received for onward passage 200 barrels of powder, five bags of bullets. 120 bags of (?) Two boxes of caps.  0900. Divers cleaning underwater fittings. 1000. Exercised General Quarters. 100. Prepared for sea. Draught forward 14 feet 8 inches. Aft 16 feet. 1400. Employed as requisite. 1500. Raised steam in all boilers. 1600. Divers employed cleaning underwater fittings. 1630. Quarters. Shortened to 1 ½ shackles. 1700. His Highness the Sultan visited RIMS D (Unable to read handwriting). Political agent joined for passage. 1715. RIMS D (?) proceeded. 1730. Weighed. Engines astern – recovered kedge. 1750.  Course and speed for leaving harbour. 1805. Stopped starboard engine. 1815. Stopped port engine. Rigged diving gear port side. 1850. Replaced gear. 1855. Proceed S 81E at 85 revolutions. 1900. P log placed overboard. 1945. Connected hand wheel. 2145. Altered course to S45E. Re set P log. Coal expended 8 tons 7 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At sea. Course S42E at 9.2 knots. Wind SSE force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.09 at 0800 before falling to 30.03 at 1600 and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight.  Temperature at noon 76F. 0500. Sun rise S85E by standard. 0600. Altered course to S3 ½ W. 0800. Exercised at Fire Quarters. Routine. 0900. Cleaning sip throughout. 1005. Altered course S26W put clock on 15 minutes. Noon. Position 21.52N 60.3E at 9.5 knots. Wind force 2 to 3. 1400. Employed cleaning ship throughout. 1755. Quarters. Sunset S87W by standard. 0800. Exercised watch to close watertight doors. Exercised Seaboat crews. 2245. Altered course to S40 ½ W. Coal expended 21 tons 14 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At sea. Course S40 ½ W at 9.3 knots. Wind SW by S force 3 increasing to 4 before decreasing to force 2 in afternoon. Barometer 30.08 inches increasing to 30.13 at 0400 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.14 inches. Temperature at noon. 78F. 0200. Exercised sea boat crews. Exercised watch to close watertight doors. 0700. Routine. 0800. Hauled in and cleared P. Log. 0807. Reset log and put overboard. 0930. Divisions. Performed Divine Service. 1100. Put clock back 8 minutes. Noon. Position 15.53N 58.7 E at 8.8 knots. Wind south force 3 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. Sunset S89W by standard. 2000. Exercised Seaboat crews. Exercised watch to close watertight doors. Coal expended 22 tons 15 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At sea. Course S 40 ½ W for Mirbat at 9.6 knots. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 20.15 inches rising to 30.23 at 0800 before falling to 30.19 at noon and finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 77F. 0100. Exercised sea boat crews. Exercised watch to close watertight doors.  0230. Altered course to S79W. 0550. Hallauija (Hallelujah?) Island abeam. 0555. Sunrise by standard S 87 ½ E. 0730. Routine. Wind calm. 0840. Heavy squall from NNW with sand struck ship. 0915. Divisions and Prayers. Ordinary Seamen of Watch at gunnery. 100. Put clocks back 8 minutes. Noon. Position 16.55N 55.0E. Wind NE force 6. 1207. Jebel Jeujeli (?) abeam. 1330. Altered course to W6N. 1400. Course as requisite for Mirbat.

Mirbat is a coastal town in the Dhofar governorate, in south western Oman. It is located at about 16°59′19″N 54°41′32″E.

1525. Stopped. Anchored in 9 fathoms off Mirbat and veered to 4 shackles. Anchorage bearings. Fort N94E. R???? N74E. Point S2W. Found the R.I.M.N Lawrence at anchor. 1525. Banked fires in three boilers. Let fires die out in one boiler. 1600. Wind ESE force 2 to 3. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind calm. 2300 Distilling. Coal expended 16 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At single anchor off Mirbat. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches rising to 30.23 at 0800 before falling to 30.02 at 16000 and finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 82F. 0200. Distilling. 0400. Prepared for sea. Raised steam in two boilers. 0510. Shortened in. 0530. Received one ????? (Unable to read handwriting)   from shore. Proceeded as requisite. 0540. S89W at 70 revolutions. R.I.M.N Lawrence in company.0550. Put P log over. 0730. Routine.  0900. Divisions and prayers. 0930. Hauled in P log.  0940. Decreased to 40 revolutions.  Unable read handwriting but RIMN Lawrence anchored. Course and speed as requisite for closing Salala 1050. Came to in 6 ¾ fathoms and veered to 3 ½ shackles off Salala. Employed as requisite.

Salalah is the capital city of southern Oman’s Dhofar province. It’s known for its banana plantations, Arabian Sea beaches and waters teeming with sea life. The Khareef, an annual monsoon, transforms the desert terrain into a lush, green landscape and creates seasonal waterfalls

1010. Let fires die out in three boilers. 1200. Wind south force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Drought 14 feet forward. 15 feet 9 inches aft. Anchor bearings. Ras Sakar S59W. Flag N. ????N4E. Draught forward 14 feet. Aft 15 feet 9 inches. 1400. Employed as requisite. 1600. Exercised firing torpedoes. 1700. Quarters. Discharged for Army to shore. 2200. Distilling. Midnight Banked fires in Number 4 boiler. Coal expended 7 tons 14 cwt. Number on sick list 1.