At sea. Trincomalee to Bombay. Course S46W at 2 knots. Wind west force 3 with broken cloud and a slight sea. Barometer 29.99 inches  rising to 30.04 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 93F. 0020. Great Bass abeam. Altered course to S74W. 0200 exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0530. Altered course to west. 8.3 knots. 0610. Dundra (?) Head NW by W. 0720. Altered course to N70W. . 8.9 knots. Exercised Fire Quarters. 09210. Galle light House N49W. 1040. Altered course to N53W.  1100. Course N55W. Cleaning ship. Noon. Position 6.1N 80.3E. Wind WSW force 1. 1400. Watch employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. 1800. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at lead. (Presume this is instruction for using lead and line to test the depth of water). 2100. Exercise seaboats crews. Exercise close watertight doors. Midnight. Wind NW force 2 with overcast sky. Coal expended 23 tons 8 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

At sea. Trincomalee to Bombay. Course N53W at 8.5 knots. Wins east force 4 with broken cloud and passing rain. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.05 at 0800 before falling to 29.99 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.0245 Heavy squall from NE accompanied by rain. Eased to half speed – 7.3 knots. 0300. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0305. Proceeded at 85 revolutions – 8.7 knots. 0925. Altered course to NW. 1015. Sighted —-(?) Light house N7W (Unable to read handwriting – could be the light at modern day Manapad) 1000. Divisions. Performed Divine Service. 1140. —-(?) Light house abeam. Noon. Position 8.3N 77.9E. Light airs. 1530. Altered course to N37W. 1700. Quarters. 1900. Altered course to N24W. 2140. Alleppi Light N18E. 1056. Alleppi Light abeam. Coal expended 22 tons 12 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

The Alappuzha Lighthouse (or Alleppey Light) is situated in the coastal town of Alappuzha, Kerala. It was built in 1862

At sea. Trincomalee to Bombay. Course N24W at 8.8 knots with slight sea. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.96 inches rising to 30.05 at 0800 before falling to 30.07 at 2000 and finishing at 30.02 inches at midnight. 0015. Lost sight of Alleppi Light S57E. 0200. Eased. Sounded in 21 fathoms. Proceeded. 0400. Eased. Sounded in 24 fathoms and proceeded. 0900. Put clock back 24 minutes. 100o. divisions and prayers. Exercised at General Quarters. 1100. Marines at six inch Breech loader. Noon. Positions 11.25N 75.12E. Wind NNW force 2.  1330. Ordinary Seamen at seamanship. Remainder employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Read and exercised stations.  “Abandon Ship”. Exercised Collison Quarters. 2020. Mangulon Light N20E. 2130. Mangulon Light abeam. 2200. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised Close watertight doors. .2300.Eased. Sounded in 23 fathoms. Proceeded. 2345. Lost sight of Mangulon Light S60E. Coal expended 22 tons 13 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

At sea. Trincomalee to Bombay. Course N24W at 8.6 knots with slight sea. Wind NW by N force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches falling to 30.01 at 0800 then to 29.98 at 1600 before finishing at 30.04 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F.  0200. Eased. Sounded in 21 fathoms. Proceeded. Exercised Seaboat crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0400. Eased. Sounded in 25 fathoms. Proceeded.  2000. Put clock back 13 minutes. Divisions and prayers. Inspected bedding. 1030. Oyster Rock Lighthouse N42E.

Height: 20 m Opened: 25 March 1864 Light source: solar power Tower height: 20 metres (66 ft) NGA number: 27756 Year first constructed: 1864

Employed as requisite. 1125. Oyster Rock abeam. Noon. Position 14.48N 73.46E. Wind N force 2. 1300. Issued slops to Ships Company. 1400. Make and mend clothes.  1700. Quarters. 1710. Dropped lifebuoy. Lowered Seaboat and picked up lifebuoy. 1726. Up Seaboat. Proceeded at 85 revolutions. 1730. Course N24W. 1845. Verjular(?) Rock Light N50E. 1945. Verjulary (?) rock light east. Altered course to N13W.2030. Eased. Sounded in 20 fathoms. Proceeded. 2300. Eased. Sounded in 27 fathoms. Proceeded. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 2348. Keara Hill Light N62E. Coal expended 22 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

At sea. Trincomalee to Bombay. Course N13W at 8 knots. Wind NE force 2 with clear sky. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.07 at 1600 and finishing t 30.06 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. 0130. Eased. Sounded in 30 fathoms. Proceeded. 0200. Exercised seaboats crews. Exercised Close watertight doors. 0400. Eased. Sounded in 29 fathoms. Proceeded. 0800. Divisions and prayers. Exercised Small Arms Company. Exercised marines at rifle drill. Noon. Position 18.20 ¼ N. 72.42E. Wind north force 1. 1345. Altered course as requisite for entering Bombay Harbour. Put clock back 20 minutes. Connected steam wheel.1600. Speed as requisite. 1610. Stopped. Made fast to No 6 Buoy. Defence Squadron in stream. 1700 Quarters. Gave Special leave to starboard watch. Discharged men for onward passage. Let fires die out in one and two boilers. Banked number three boiler. Distilling with number four boiler. Coal expended 16 tons 10 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

Moored in Bombay Harbour. Wind east force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 and to 30.13 at noon before falling to 30.06 at1600 and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 81F. Distilling. 0400. Received 114 lbs of beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 196 lbs of bread. 0700. Banked fires in number 4 boiler. 0800. Divisions and prayers. 1000. Preparing for coaling. 1300. Unbent sails. Embarked 4.7 Quick fire for Flagship. 1600. Special leave to port watch. 1700. Quarters. Discharged one CC mate and one Petty Officer First class to MAGDALA

HMS Magdala was a Cerberus-class breastwork monitor of the Royal Navy, built specifically to serve as a coastal defence ship for the harbour of Bombay (now Mumbai) in the late 1860s. She was ordered by the India Office for the Bombay Marine. The original specifications were thought to be too expensive and a cheaper design was ordered. While limited to harbour defence duties, the breastwork monitors were described by Admiral George Alexander Ballard as being like “full-armoured knights riding on donkeys, easy to avoid but bad to close with.”[1] Aside from gunnery practice Magdala remained in Bombay Harbour for her entire career. The ship was sold for scrap in 1903.

One Able Seaman and one Stoker rejoined from hospital. Embarked warlike stores for passage. Coal expended 1 ton 11cwt. Number on sick list 10.

Moored in Bombay Harbour. Wind east force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F.  0230. Spread fires in in number 3 and four boilers. 0400. HMS Magdala and two torpedo boats went out of harbour. 0640. Coal lighter came alongside. . 0700. Commenced coaling. Received 120 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 223 lbs of bread. 0800. Raised steam in in number one and two boilers. 0800. Coaling ship. 1045. MAGDALA came into harbour. Noon. Wind calm. 1300. Finished coaling. Received 80 tons. Draught 14 feet 6 inches forward. 15 feet 10 inches aft. 1400. Preparing for sea and cleaning ship.  1730. Slipped. Proceeded as requisite out of harbour for Trincomalee. 1800. 85 revolutions. Course as requisite. Patent log put overboard. 1835. Outer light abeam. Altered course to S44W. 1905 Observed appearance of broken water ahead. Altered course to west. 1930. Stopped. Sounded in 11 fathoms. 1935. Proceeded at 85 revolutions S44W. 2030. Altered course to S10E.2300. Sounded in 20 fathoms. Exercised seaboats crews. Exercised close watertight doors.2330 Jaujula Light E ½ N. coal expended 9 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course S10E at 9.4 knots with slight sea. Wind NNE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches rising at to 30.07 at 0800 before finishing at 30.04 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 83F. 0200. Sounded in 19 fathoms. Put clock on 10 minutes. Exercised close watertight doors. Exercised seaboat’s crews. 0400. Sounded in 20 fathoms. 0450. Dabliol Light E by N. 100. Routine. Noon. Position 16.23N 73.3E at 9.2 knots. Wind NE by N force 1. 1300. Altered course to S21E. 1505. Verjular(?) Light House N68E. 1700. Quarters. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at signals. Quartermasters, Seamen and signallers at Thomson machine gun instruction. 1750. Sunset by compass S71E. 1840 Aquada Light E by N.

2100. Exercised seaboat’s crews. 2300. Sounded in 45 fathoms. Exercised close watertight doors. Coal expended 22 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

At sea. At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course S21E at 9.4 knots with a slight sea.  Wind SE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches falling to 30.01 at 0800 before rising to 30.03 at noon. It fell to 29.99 at 1600 and finished at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. 0100. Put clocks on 5 minutes. 0200. Sounded in 45 fathoms by wire. 0300. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0430. Sounded in 20 fathoms. 0900. Mustered by the Open List. 1000. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Position 12.52 ¼ N 74.26E. Wind SE force 1. 1300. Altered course to S31E. Eased to 60 revolutions. 0200. Eased to 55 revolutions – 5.5 knots. 1600. Quarters. Read Stations – Prepare for Battle. 1800. Eased to 54 revolutions. 2000. Wind N by W force 3. 2145. Stopped. Sounded in 21 fathoms. Proceeded at 45 revolutions. 2210. Sounded in 16 fathoms. 2230. Altered course to S21E. 2300. Sounded in 23 fathoms. Midnight. Sounded in 25 fathoms. Wind NW force 1. Coal expended 18 tons 19 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

At sea. At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course S21E at 21E with slight sea.  Wind light airs. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.05 at noon before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0200. Sounded in 24 fathoms. 0400. Sounded in 24 fathoms.  0500. Altered course as requisite for Sacrifice Rock.

VELLIAMKALLU OR SACRIFICE ROCK

A massive rock formation rearing up from the sea near Payyoki Beach, 36 km from Kozhikode. Once dreaded by navigators, it offered a vantage point to Kunjali Marakkar, the Zamorin’s trusted admiral, trying to spot invading Portuguese.  Lies about 6.5 miles WNW of Kadalur Point. It consists of granite and, having a white appearance, It can be seen 10 miles in clear weather.

510. sounded in 25 fathoms. 0630. Increased to 54 revolutions. 0730. Prepared for Battle. 0755. Sacrifice rock SSE at 2 cables. Eased to 45 revolutions. 0800. Proceeded as requisite. Connected steam wheel. 0945. Sounded in 13 ½ fathoms. 1010. Action. Dropped target. 1030. Opened fire on target. Expended half-quarterly ammunition from all guns. 1120 Ceased firing. Carried out short practice from 7 pounder. 1200. Ceased firing. Noon. Off Sacrifice Rock Wind SE force 1 to 2. 1300. As requisite for running torpedoes. 1455. Stopped. Lowered steam cutter and whaler. Dropped torpedo buoys. 1505. Proceeded as requisite for running torpedoes. 1630. Finished – made four runs. Up buoys and boats. Proceeded. 85 revolutions. 1745. Stopped. Quarters. 1805. Dropped and anchored target. (Next two words unreadable). Hoisted in target. 1830. Dropped and anchored target in 16 fathoms.  Proceeded as requisite.  Exercised hands to man and arm ship. Opened fire at target with 3 pounders and machine guns. . 1925. Finished. 1930. Proceeded at 90 revolutions. 2000. Came to in with broken bottom in 11 fathoms off Tellicherry. Veered to 3 shackles.

Thalassery, formerly Tellicherry, is a municipality on the Malabar Coast in Kannur district, in the state of Kerala, India, bordered by the districts of Mahé, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Kasaragod and Kodagu. Thalassery municipality has a population just under 100,000. Thalassery has an area of 23.98 square kilometres

Banked fires in number 2, 3 and 4 boilers. Distilling with number one boiler. 2200. Exercised at Sea Quarters. Midnight. Wind NE force 2.  Coal expended 14 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

At single anchor off Tellicherry in the Aegean Sea. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud.  Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.07 at noon before falling to 30.05 at 1600 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.  0400. Spread fires in number 2, 3, and 4 boilers. 0600. Shortened in.  0635. Weighed and proceeded at 85 revolutions.  0700. Stopped. 0720. Action. 0730. Secured. 0735. Action. Proceeded as requisite. Opened fire on target from all guns. Expended half-quarterly ammunition. 0820. Ceased firing. Recovered target. 0855. Proceeded S14E at 85 revolutions. Connected hand wheel.  Put Patent log over side. Cleaning ship. Replaced Battle Gear. Noon. Position 11.15 ¼ N. 75.31 ¼ E.  Wind SSE force 1. 1400. Cleaning ship. 1600. Quarters. Exercised Fire Quarters. 1655. Altered course as requisite for adjusting compasses. 1750. Stopped. Lowered all boats for Abandon Ship exercise. 1750. Hoisted boats. . 1800. Proceeded S15E at 85 revolutions. Patent log put over side. 2005. Altered course to S ½ E. Passed steamer heading north. 0825. Altered course to S20E. 2040. Altered course S15E. 2210. Cochin Light  S62E. Exercised Sea boats crews. 2300. Sounded in 15 ½ fathoms. Exercised close watertight doors. Midnight. Sounded in 16 fathoms.  Coal expended 19 tons 5 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course S15E at 8 knots with slight sea. Wind SE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches falling to 30.02 at noon and to 30.01 at 1600 before rising to 30.07 at 2000 and where it finished at midnight.  Temperature at noon 89F. 0005. Altered course to S10E. 0100. Lost sight of Cochin Light NNE.

The Vypin Lighthouse or Cochin Lighthouse[2] is situated at Puthuvype in Kochi, Kerala. Even though the current lighthouse started functioning only by 15 November 1979, the Cochin Lighthouse has a long history. The lighthouse which was functioning in Fort Kochi from 1839 was shifted to Puthuvype in 1979. It is the tallest lighthouse in Kerala.

110. Alippi Light S6 ½ S. Stopped and sounded in 14 fathoms. Proceeded. 0145. Altered course south. 0245. Aleppi abeam. Sounded in 14 fathoms. 0300. Exercised Sea boat crews and close watertight doors. 0400. Sounded in 21 fathoms. 0618. Altered course to N49E. 0900. Divisions and prayers. 1000. Exercised Small Arms Companies. 1107. Altered course to S30E. Noon. Position 8.32 ¾ N. 76.46 ½ E. wind light airs. 1400. Watch employed as requisite. 1525. Altered course to S54E. 1600. Multun (?) Light N87E. Magnetic. 1700. Quarters. Exercised Hands man and arm ship. Repeated evolution. 1725. Multun (?) Light abeam. 1746. Sunset by standard compass S71W. 1940. Lost sight of Multun (?) Light. 2200. Exercised sea boat crews. Exercised close watertight doors. Coal expended 22 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course S54E at 9.3 knot with slight sea. Wind east force 1 with broken cloud.  Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.05 at 0800 before falling to 30.02 at 2000 and finishing at 30.07 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. 0200. Put clock on 12 minutes. 0300. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0605. Land E ¾ E. 0610. Sunrise by standard compass S66(?). 0800. Routine. 0900. Divisions and prayers. 1130 Dondra Light N81E.  Noon Position 6.20 ¼ N. 79.47E. Wind light airs. Altered course to S41E. 1345. Galle Light House S71E. 1400. Make and mend clothes. 1450. Altered course to S60E. 1615. Altered course to S80E. 1620. Dondra Head Lighthouse N85E. 1700. Quarters. Exercised Man and arm ship. 1705. Altered course to S74E. 1730. Exercised Seamen to man and arm ship. 1745. Sunset by standard compass S70 ½ W. 1820. Altered course to N72E. Dondra light abeam. 200. Sounded in 45 fathoms by wire. 2200. Stopped. Sounded in 38 fathoms. Proceeded. 2235. Great Basses Light N54E. Heavy rain squall from NE. 2250. Eased to 54 revolutions. 2355. Proceeded at 85 revolutions. Exercised sea boat crews. Exercised close watertight doors. Coal expended 21 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course N72E at 3.2 knots with slight / smooth sea. Wind north force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches falling to 30.02 at 1600 where it remained until midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0020. Great Bass light abeam. Altered course to NE at 6.3 knots. 0100. Little Basses n30£. Put clock on 11 minutes. 0250. Little Basses abeam. 0300. Altered course to NNE. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors. 0400. Little Basses S70W. 0530. Lost sight of Little Basses S46W. 0600. Sunrise. 0710. Altered course to N7W. Wind calm. 0800. Divisions and prayers. Read stations for General Quarters. 1000. Exercised General Quarters.1100. Friars Hood N60W. Employed as requisite.

Walimbe Hela  (Friars Hood) is next to Metigamahola and is located in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka.

Noon. Position 7.15N. 81.59E. wind light. 1400. Employed as requisite. 1620. Altered course to N28W. 1700. Quarters. Unbent forward trysail and spanker. . 1750. Sunset. S68W. 1900. Ordinary seamen and Boys in chains.

The chains were small platforms, built on either side of the hull of a ship, used to provide a wide purchase for the shrouds, and to assist in the practice of depth sounding. The chains provided a platform for a ‘leadsman’, the sailor assigned to swing the sounding line, or ‘lead’ into the water.

2215. Stopped. Sounded in 110 fathoms. 2245. Proceeded at 85 revolutions. 23oo. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors. Midnight. Stopped. Sounded in 110 fathoms. Coal expended 21 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course N28W at 7.8.knots. Wind NW force 1 to 2 and broken cloud with smooth sea. Barometer 30.04 inches falling to 30.02 at noon and then to 29.95 at 1600 before rising to 30.01 at 2000 and finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0008. Proceeded at 86 revolutions – 7.8 knots. 0030. Foul Point Light N by W magnetic. 0200. Stopped. Sounded in 100 fathoms. 0230. Proceeded at 85 revolutions.  Exercised close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. 0400. Round Island Light, Foul Point Light S82W. 0425Fould Point Light abeam. 04235. Eased to 54 revolutions. Altered course to S70W. 0520. Altered course as requisite. 0600. Connected Steam wheel.  Proceeded as requisite in to harbour. 0735. Came to with pebble bottom in 10 fathoms. Moored ship with open hawse. Veered 3 shackles port and 2 starboard.

Open hawse: When both anchors are out and the cables lead broad out on their own bows. A vessel lying moored to anchors ahead and astern is at open hawse when she lies across the line of her anchors.

HMS Redbreast in harbour. Let fires die out in number 2, 3, and 4 boilers. Distilling with number one boiler. Ship placed in quarantine. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. At anchor in Trincomalee. Wind NE force 1. 1300. HMS Eclipse flying flag of C in C arrived and moored. 1500. Employed as requisite. 1600. Unbent fore and aft sails. 1700. Quarters. Midnight. Distilling. Coal expended 7 tons 15 cwt. Coal remaining 92 tons 19 cwt. Draught 12 feet 8 inches forward. 15 feet 10 inches aft. Number on sick list 11.

Moored in Trincomalee Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.03 at noon and finishing at 30.02 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 91F. 0400. Received 118 lbs of beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 200 lbs of bread. 0600 Ship Quarantine pratique. Exercised – Out stream anchor. 0800. Divisions and prayers. Discharged one Stoker to hospital. 1000. Divers cleaning ships bottom. Lt. A.C. Sterling joined from Flag. 1400. Preparing for coaling. Special leave to starboard watch. 1700. Quarters. Dis-embarked gun and carriage for Flag. Midnight. Let fires die out in number one boiler. Coal expended 2 tons 14 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

Moored in Trincomalee Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before falling to 29.95 at 1600 and finishing at 30.02 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0400. Received 120 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus224 lbs of bread. 0600. Coal lighters came along side. 0700. Taking on coal. 1000. Divers cleaning ship’s bottom. Party returning powder cases. 1400. One Ship’s Cook re-joined from Sick Quarters. 1600. Special leave to port watch. . 1650. Finished coaling. Received 220 tons. Coal expended 4 cwt.  Number on sick list 11.

Moored in Trincomalee Harbour. Wind ESE force 2with broken cloud and passing rain. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.06 at noon and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 77F. Draught 14 feet 6 inches forward. 16 feet 2 inches aft. 0400. Received120 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 237 lbs of bread. 0600. Divers cleaning ship’s bottom. 0800. Cleaning ship. 1000. Paid monthly money to Ship’s company. 1500. Raised steam in number 2 boiler. Gave General leave to starboard watch. 1700. Quarters. 1800. Landed patrol. Distilling. Coal expended 1 ton 1 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

Moored in Trincomalee Harbour. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.08 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 16000 and finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F. 0400. Aired bedding. 0600. Received 120 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 230 lbs of bread.  0800. Divers cleaning ship’s bottom. 0900. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind north force 3. 1400. General leave to port watch and starboard watch Boys. 1500. Make and mend clothes. 1700. Quarters. HMS Redbreast sailed. 2000. Landed patrol. 2200. Distilling. Coal expended 4 tons 17 cwt. Number on sick list 9.