At sea. Course N20W at 7.7 knots. Wind NW force 4 becoming force 6 at 0400 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.18 inches increasing to 30.22 at 0800 before dropping to 30.15 at 1600 and remaining at 30.15 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 66F.  005. Increased to 80 revolutions. 0125. Stopped. Sounded in 35 fathoms. Proceeded. 0310. Eased to 75 revolutions. Eased to batten down forward. 0330. Stopped. Sounded in 28 fathoms. 0345. Eased to 70 revolutions. 0500. Stopped. Sounded in 35 fathoms. 0645. Eased to 63 revolutions. Divisions. Performed Divine Service. 0710. Altered course to N11W. 0800. Eased to 59 revolutions. 0900. Eased to 54 revolutions. 1000. Eased to 50 revolutions. 1100. Eased to 41 revolutions. Noon. Position 28.48N. 50.45E. Wind NE force 6. Squalls and mist. 1355. Altered course to N16 ½ W at 3 knots.  1510 Altered course as requisite for anchorage. Engines as requisite. 1540 Came to on broken bottom in 4 ¾ fathoms and veered to 4 shackles. Anchored off Bushire in the Arabian Gulf.

Bushehr or Bushire, also known as Bandar Bushehr, previously Beh Ardasher, Antiochia in Persis and Bukht Ardashir, is the capital city of Bushehr Province, Iran

Anchorage bearings. Large town N72E. Mosque. S52E Res. Flag staff. N77E. 1900. Quarters. Let fires die out in number 1 boiler. Banked fires in number 4. Distilling with number 3. Coal expended 12 tons 2 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At anchor off Bushire. Wind NW force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.22 at noon before falling to 30.16 at 1600 and finishing at 30.20 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F.  0645. Raised steam in cutter.  0800. Received 120 lbs of beef and 65 lbs of vegetables plus 280 lbs of bread.  0900. Divisions and prayers. 100. Exercised stations – man and arm boats. 1100. Employed as requisite. Draught 12 feet 10 inches forward. 15 feet 6 inches aft. 1400. Re-stowed shell room.  1700. Quarters. 1920. Drew fires in cutter. Coal expended 2 tons 19 cwt. (68 tons 14 cwt remaining) Number on sick list 6.

At anchor off Bushire. Wind East force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Later becoming north-westerly force 1. Barometer 30.17 inches rising to 3020 at 0800 and 30.25 at noon before finishing at 30.21 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 64F.  0400. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 220 lbs of soft bread. 0610. HMS Sphinx arrived and anchored.

HMS Sphinx (1882) was a composite paddle vessel launched in 1882 and sold in 1919.

915. Divisions and prayers. Marines at rifle exercise. Remaining hands as requisite. 1145. Dressed ship with Masthead flags. Persian flag at main. Noon. Wind NW force 1. 1400. Discharged Lt. C. G. R. Brandon to HMS Sphinx. Joined ship from HMS Sphinx Lt F. G. P. Brandon. Raised steam in number 1 boiler. Spread fires in number 4 boiler. 1500. Preparing ship for sea. Received provisions from HMS Sphinx. 1630. Weighed and proceeded. 1720. HMS Sphinx proceeded in to inner anchorage. 1845. Shaped course to S14E. Put over Patent log. Increased to 85 revolutions. 1900. Quarters. Connected hand wheel. 2200. Stopped. Cast deep sea lead – 27 fathoms. 2215. Proceeded. 2330. Stopped. Cast deep sea lead – 30 fathoms. 2350 Proceeded. Midnight. Wind SW force 1. Coal expended 9 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At sea. Bushire to Bandar Abbas.

Bandar Abbas or Bandar-e ‘Abbās is a port city and capital of Hormozgān Province on the southern coast of Iran, on the Persian Gulf. The city occupies a strategic position on the narrow Strait of Hormuz,

Course S14E at 9 knots with smooth sea. Wind SW force 1 with blue sky. Barometer 30.19 inches increasing to 30.24 at 0800 before falling back to 30.19 at 1600 and finishing at 30.22 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 70F. 0150. Stopped. Cast deep sea lead – 30 fathoms.  1400. Proceeded. 0330. Altered course to S65E. 0340. Stopped. Sounded in 35 fathoms. 0350. Proceeded. 0525. Sighted land on port bow. 0900. Divisions. Read prayers. Inspected small arms.  Exercised Small Arms Company. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at seamanship instruction. Marines at 6 inch breech loader gun drill. Remainder of hands employed as requisite. Noon. Position 27.1N. 52.28E. Wind light with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. 1715. Exercised Fire and collision stations. Exercised Man overboard. 1800. Altered course to S58E. 2100. Exercised seaboat’s crews. 2300. Close watertight doors. Double lookout. Leadsmen in both chains.  Midnight. Altered course to N85E. Coal expended 21 tons 8 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At sea. Bushire to Bandar Abbas. Course N85E at 10knots with smooth sea. Wind NNE force 1 with blue sky. Barometer 30.15 inches rising to 30.22 at 0800 before falling to 30.20 at 1600 and 30.14 at 2000 before rising to 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 79F.  0200. Opened watertight doors. 0300. Observed HMS Sphinx (?) SE6E. 0420. Observed ?? abeam 7 ½ degrees. 0600. 0500. Observe land abeam. 0600. Alter course to N42E. 0800. Wind NE force 2. 0915. Divisions and prayers. 0950. Put clocks on 15 minutes. Exercised magazine and shell room parties. Watch employed as requisite.  Noon. Position 26.40N 55.6E. Wind NE by N force 1. 1245. Alter course to N35E. Hands to make and mend clothes. 1450. Altered course to N22W. 1530. Connected steam wheel. Course and speed as requisite for anchorage. Raised steam in cutter. 1645. Let go port anchor in 4 ¼ fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. Banked fires. Draught 12 feet 6 inches forward. 15 feet 4 inches aft. 1700 Quarters.  Carried out quarterly torpedo practice. 2000. Drew fires in steam cutter.  Wind SSE force 1. 2100. Received 145 lbs of beef and 75 lbs of vegetables. Coal expended 18 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At single anchor at Bandar Abbas. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.12 inches  rising to 30.14 at noon before falling to 30.09 at 1600 and finishing at 30.12 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F. 0615. Weighed and proceeded. Course and speed as requisite for running torpedoes. 0700. Exercised hands at General Quarters. 0945. Hoisted steam cutter and whaler. 1000. Proceeded S62E at 85 revolutions. Hands employed cleaning ship. 1130. Altered course S14E. 1130. Divisions and prayers. Noon. Position 26.5N. 56.31 ½ E. Wind SE force 2. 1300. Passed steamer B and PS (?) hauling NNW. Watch employed as requisite. 1600. Wind south force 3. 1715. Quarters. Exercised hands at Fire Quarters. 1800. Washed clothes. 2000. Altered course to S57E. 2300. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors.  Coal expended 19 tons 13cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea. Bandar Abbas to Muskat. (Muscat) Course S57E at 9.5 knots with smooth sea. Wind E by s force 2 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 30.06 inches rising to 30.15 at 0800 before falling to 30.06 at 1600 then rising to 30.08 at 2000 before finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 77F. 0100. Exercised hands close watertight doors. Put clocks on 11 minutes. Exercised sea boats crews. 0600. Observed land on starboard bow. 0630. Observed total error of standing compass 2.14 west. Spread Quarter Deck and Poop awnings.  0910. Altered course to S28E. 100. Hands employed preparing ship for coaling and as requisite. Noon. Position 23.46N 58.31E. Wind SE force 1. 1310. Course and speed for anchorage. 1330. Let go port anchor in 8 ½ fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. Found here HMS Lapwing. Hands employed preparing ship for coaling and as requisite. Banked fires in numbers 2, 3 and 4 boilers. 1645. Commenced coaling. 1840. Finished coaling. Received 50 tons. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1930. Finished distilling. Banked fires in number 1 boiler. 2000. Drew fires in steam cutter. Divers clearing inlet vents. Coal expended 15 tons 10 cwt.  Number on sick list 4.

At anchor at Muskat (Muscat). Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.14 at 0800 and falling to 30.09 at 1600 before rising again to 30.13 at 2000 and finishing at 30.12 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 79F.  0400. Received 110 lbs of beef and 55 lbs of vegetables plus 390 lbs of soft bread. 0700. Hands completed cleaning ship throughout. Preparing for sea.  Draught 12 feet 6 inches forward. 15 feet 7 inches aft. 0745. Weighed. Wind west force1. Proceeded as requisite out of harbour. 0800. Stopped. Hoisted cutter.  0820. Shaped course N78E Standard. (N81 ½ True) at 85 revolutions. 0840. Put over Cherub log

Thomas Ferdinand Walker (1837–1921) first patented the Cherub log in 1878 (no. 4369). It was one of the first logs in which the recorder was placed on board

1000. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout and as requisite. 1150 Divisions and prayers. Noon. Position 23.4N 59.18E Wind ESE force 2 with blue sky. 1600. Wind east force 1 with slight swell from SE. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 26 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea Muskat (Muscat) to Karachi. Course N78E at 9.5 knots with smooth sea. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.15 at 0800 and to 30.18 at noon before falling to 30.16 at 1600. It further fell to 30.12 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F. 0540.  Appears to be recording of sighting but the writing is very small.  One sighting was at 10 degrees north. Observed total error to standard compass as 5.46 degrees east. 0600. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1000. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. Noon. Position 24.39N. 65.36E. 1300. 9.8 knots. Eased to 80 revolutions. Ordinary Seamen and Boys of watch at seamanship. Remaining hands employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Exercise hands man and arm boats. 2230. Eased to 76 revolutions – 8 knots. Coal expended 25 tons 2 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea Muskat (Muscat) to Karachi. Course N78E at 8 knots with slight swell. Wind WSW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.09 at 0800 and to 30.13 at noon. Thereafter falling to 30.11 at 1600 before rising to 30.20 at 2000 and finishing at 30.28 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 67 F. 0230. Stopped. Sounded in 100 fathoms. 0250. Proceeded as before. 0345. Sounded. 0415. Stopped. Turned ship head to wind.  Sounded in 50 fathoms. 045. Proceeded. Sounded in 40 fathoms 0515. Observed land to NE. 0600. Land obscured by mist. 0615. Altered course to N65E. Increased to 80 revolutions. 0630. Sounded in 23 fathoms. 0645. Reduced to 60 revolutions – 2 knots.  0800. Wind NW force 5 with moderate sea and mist. 0840. Observed two target buoys on port bow. 0845. Altered course to S66W. Increased to 64 revolutions. Furled awnings.  0915. Sounded in 51 fathoms. Battened down on forecastle.  Course as requisite. 0950. Bearing up as to turn in steam cutter. 1015. Proceed as before. 1045. Eased to 39 revolutions 2 to 3 knots. Divisions. Read prayers. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at seamanship.  Remainder employed as requisite. Noon. Position 24.36N. 66.47E. Wind force 6 with passing showers and squalls. Hazy. 1300. Altered course to west. Increased to 43 revolutions. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at seamanship. Remaining watch employed as requisite. 1530. Stopped port engine. Sounded in 36 fathoms. 1540. Proceeded as before. 1700. Altered course to WNW at 3 knots. Increased revolutions to 43 revolutions. Quarters. Hands sewing and washing clothes.  200. Altered course to NNW. 2010. Stopped and sounded in 34 fathoms.  2025. Proceeded. 2200. Sounded in 34 fathoms. Put clock on 15 minutes. 2345. Stopped. Sounded in 40 fathoms. 2355. Proceeded. Midnight. Altered course to N66E.  Coal expended 17 tons 4 cwt. Coal remaining 57 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea Muskat (Muscat) to Karachi. Course N66E at 2.9 knots with moderate sea. Wind NNW force 4 increasing to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 30.07 inches increasing to 30.12 at 0800 and to 30.22 at noon before falling to 30.15 at 1600 and finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 79F. 0045. Increased to 48 revolutions. 0100. Increased to 51 revolutions. Sounded in 31 fathoms in latitude 24.50N. 0130. Altered course to S50E at 60 revolutions. 0200. Sounded in 28 fathoms. 0300. Eased to 58 revolutions. Sounded in 26 fathoms. 0320. Altered course to N66E. Put clocks on 15 minutes. 0400. Sounded in 28 fathoms. 0430. Altered course to N55E. Sounded in 29 fathoms. 0510. Sounded in 29 fathoms. 0515. Sounded in 15 fathoms. 0520. Increased to 85 revolutions. 0545. Altered course to N56E. Latitude observed 24.34N.  0620. Altered course to north. Observed steamer to NE. 0650. OW! (This is as printed in the log. It might be an interjection requiring attention)) Land ahead. Course and speed as requisite. Proceeding up harbour. 0740. Stopped. 0750. Steamed to Number 4 buoy. 100. Divisions. Read prayers.1100. Hands employed preparing the ship for coaling and as requisite. Noon. Wind NNW force 4 with broken cloud. 1300. Hands employed preparing ship for coaling and as requisite. Let fires die out in number 1 and 3 boilers.  1600. General leave to watch until 0600 (3 March). 1700. Quarters. 1800 Landed patrol. 2325. Patrol returned onboard. Draught forward 12 feet 2 inches Aft 15 feet 4 inches. Coal expended 8 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

Secured to buoy at Karachi. Wind N by W force 1 with broken sky. Barometer 30.14 inches rising to 30.26 at noon before falling to 30.18 at 1600 and finishing at 30.14 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 68F. 0200. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 240 lbs of bread. 060. Let fires die out in number 1 boiler. Hands employed changing boats falls and as requisite. 0940. Coal lighter came alongside. 100. Commenced coaling. Discharged Mr T.A. A.  Teiveen (Engineer) to HMS Eclipse.  Mr Sands (Engineer) joined the ship. 1200. Wind SE by E force 2. Gave General leave to starboard watch until 0600 (4 March 1898). 1400. Paid monthly allowance to Ship’s Company. Hands making and mending clothes. 1600. Gave General Leave to Boys until 1900. 1700. HMS Eclipse sailed. 1730. Finished coaling. Received 75 tons. Water tank came alongside. 1845. Landed patrol. Midnight. Wind calm. Coal expended 1 ton 5cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Secured to buoy at Karachi. Draught forward 12 feet 8 inches. Aft 15 feet 4 inches. Wind N force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.14 inches rising to 30.21 at noon before finishing at 30.19 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 76F. 0200. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 239 lbs of soft bread. 0720. HMS Redbreast arrived. 0800. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout.  Noon. Gave General Leave to port watch until 0600 (5 March 1898). Gave leave to Boys until 1900. Hands employed as requisite. 1600. Quarters. Received 4 ½ tons of water.  Hands scrubbing and washing clothes. 1845. Landed patrol. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Secured to buoy at Karachi. Wind calm with broken cloud. Wind swings through the compass during the day not getting above force 1 and finishing as calm at midnight. Barometer 30.16 inches dropping to 30.15 inches at noon and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F.  0200. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus soft bread.  Exercised hands at Fire Quarters. 0800. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1000. As requisite. 1400. Hands employed as requisite. General Leave to starboard watch until 0700 (7 March 1898). 1600. Quarters. Read Warrant number 67. Preparing ship for sea. 1830. Landed patrol. 2200. Lit fires in numbers 1, 3 and 4 boilers. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Secured to buoy at Karachi. Wind north force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.13 at noon before falling to 30.05 at 1600 and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 74F. 0200. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 186 lbs of soft bread. 0910. Slipped. Proceeded as requisite out of harbour, 0915. Shaped course to S5W for Bombay – 75 revolutions. 0945. Increased to 85 revolutions. 1020. Divisions. Performed divine Service. Noon. Position 24.24N. 66.58E at 9 knots. Wind WSW force 1. Sounded in 24 fathoms. Outer light vessel Bombay 468 miles. 1410. Altered course to S45E. 1600. Wind NW force 1 with smooth sea. 1800. Quarters. Observed total ???? (Unable to read) of standard time to west. 2200. Stopped. Heaved deep sea lead – 17 fathoms M.S.SH. (mud, sand, shells). 2215. Proceeded. Midnight. Wind calm. Coal expended 17 tons 14 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea Karachi to Bombay. Course S45E at 9 knots with smooth sea. Wind north force 1 with broken cloud and wet dew. Barometer 30.08 inches rising to 30.12 at 0800 and falling to 30.09 at noon before falling further to 30.00 at 1600 before rising to 30.04 at 2000 and finishing at 30.12 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F. 0210. Stopped.  Hand lead 22 fathoms – mud. Proceeded. 0400. Sounded in 18 ½ fathoms –mud. (Machine.)  0615. Observed total error of standard compass 20W. 0635. Land on port beam. 0800. Wind NNE force 22. 0915. Divisions and prayers. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at seamanship instruction. Training class at drill. Remainder of watch employed as requisite. Noon. Position 21.25N. 69.21E. Speed 9.5 knots. Wind calm with blue sky. Outer light vessel Bombay 246 miles. 1400. Altered course to S54E. Ordinary Seamen and Boys of Watch at seamanship instruction. Remainder of watch employed as requisite. 1645. Quarters. Stopped. Lowered all boats. Hands arming and manning boats. Carried out quarterly firing in cutter. 1735. Hoisted boats. Proceeding as before. Hands scrubbing and washing clothes. 1845. Sounded in 25 fathoms – mud. 2245. Observed Diu Head lights NE ½ N

The Diu Fortress, is a Portuguese-built fortification located on the west coast of India in Diu. The fortress was built as part of Portuguese India’s defensive. Materials‎: ‎Sandstone‎ and lime mortar

Built by‎: ‎Portuguese Built‎: ‎16th century.

Exercised watch closing watertight doors. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Put clock on 15 minutes. Midnight. Wind variable force 1. Coal expended 27 tons 1 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At sea Karachi to Bombay. Course S54E at 9.5 knots with smooth sea. Wind east force 1 with blue sky. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.04 at 0800 before dropping to 30.03 at 2000 and finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 77F.  0100. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised at close watertight doors. 0510. Latitude ???????  Unable to read word) 19.52 ½ N. 0612.  Aired bedding. 0915. Divisions and prayers. Swayed up forward gaff. Port watch mustering bedding. 1000. Ordinary Seamen and Boys of watch at seamanship.  Remainder employed as requisite. 1000. Altered course to S45E. Exercised magazine and shell room parties. Training class at ammunition transfers. Noon. Position 19.3N 72.21E. Speed 10 knots. Wind south force 1. Draught forward. 12 feet 2 inches. Aft 15 feet 4 inches. 1220. Altered course to S35E to S5E to avoid fishing stakes. Revolutions various. 1430. Course S35E. 1500. Course as requisite for entering harbour. Observed light ship S45E. 1700. Stopped. Secured to buoy. Let fires die out. 1730. Quarters. Exercised out stream anchor cable. Discharged two men to hospital. 1740. Exercised out stream anchor and cable. 2100. Exercised watch at man and arm ship. Coal expended 14 tons 18 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

Moored in Bombay Harbour. Wind NE by E force 1increasing to force 4 with squalls at 2300 before reducing to force 1 at midnight. Broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.09 at 0800 and finishing at 30.09 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F.  0400. Received 118 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 260 lbs of soft bread. 0600. Exercised hands at Fire Quarters. . Man and arm ship. Hands employed preparing ship for coaling and as requisite.  Gave General Leave to watch. 0930. Divisions and prayers. 1300. Hands employed as requisite. Ordinary Seamen and Boys at boat sailing instruction. Gunners party returning empties. 1600. Gave Special leave to watch. 1700. Quarters. Read Warrant number 68. Coal expended 5cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Moored in Bombay Harbour. Wind N by W force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.01 inches falling to 29.95 at 1600 and finishing 24.99 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F. 0200. Received 180 lbs of soft bread and 67 lbs of vegetables. 0600. Exercised out stream anchor and cable. 0800. Hands employed blacking down rigging and returning stores. Remainder as requisite.

Blacking – made from a good mixture of coal tar, vegetable tar and salt water all boiled together and laid on hot.

 Noon. Wind west force 1. Special Leave to watch until 1900. Hands blacking down rigging and as requisite. 1330. Coal lighter came alongside. Coal expended 4cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Moored in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 30.01 at noon before dropping to 29.96 at 1600 and finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F.  0200. Received 284 lbs of fresh beef and 64 lbs of vegetables plus 178 lbs of soft bread.  0630. HMS Magdala and Torpedo Boat number 105 proceeded out of harbour.

815. Commenced coaling. 0920. Stopped coaling owing to strike. (Calling of Nations?) (Writing hard to read). Hands employed refitting, returning stores and as requisite. 1030. Torpedo Boat 105 returned. Noon. HMS Magdala and Torpedo Boat 106 returned. 1400. Hands employed coaling ship. 1700. HMS Plassey sailed with Torpedo Boats numbers 100, 102 and 103.
816. Hands coaling ship. Coal expended 5cwt. Number on sick list 6.