Port Said to Malta. Course N65W at 8 knots. Wind N by W force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches falling to 29.86 at 0800 before rising to 29.88 at noon before falling again to 29.86 at 1600 and rising to 29.90 at 200 and finishing at 29.88 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 80F 0300. Exercised Sea boats crews. 0510. Sunrise. Observed total error Standard 8.degrees west. 0900. Put clock back 16 minutes. 1000. Battened down forward hatches. 1100. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout, Noon. Position 33.0N 27.15E at 7.5 knots. Wind NW by W force 3 to 5.  St Elmos Light Valetta N74 ¼ W at 665 miles. 1300. Paid Ship’s Company monthly payment. 1400. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1600. Wind and sea moderating. 1700. Quarters. 1830. Hands scrubbing and washing clothes. 2100. Hands unbattening fore hatches. 2300. Exercising sea boat crews and watch closing watertight doors. Coal expended 29 tons 13 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Port Said to Malta. Course N65W at 7.9 knots. Wind NW force 2 with blue sky. Barometer 29.88 inches rising to 29.92 at 0800 and to 29.97 at noon before falling to 29.92 at 1600 and then rising to 30.02 at 2000 before finishing at 30.06 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 77F. 0200. Exercised watch at close watertight doors and sea boats crews. 0500. Observed total error for standard compass 10.15 degrees west. 0800. Altered course to N65W at 8.1 knots. 0900. Put clocks back 10 minutes. 100. Ordinary Seamen at seamanship instruction 1100. Remainder of hands employed as most requisite. Noon. Position 35.51N 23.45E at 8.1 knots. Wind north force 2 to 3. St Elmo’s Light Valetta bearing N74 ½ W at 475 miles. 1300. Watch employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Furled awnings leaving Poop awning spread. 1800. Battened down forward hold.  2000. Wind force 4 to 5. 2300. Exercised sea boats crews. Watch closing watertight doors. Coal expended 28 tons 18 cwt. Coal remaining 152 tons 3 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

Port Said to Malta. Course N65W at 8.4 knots with a moderate sea. Wind NW force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.09 inches rising o 30.10 at 0800 and to 30.18 at noon before finishing at 30.04 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. 0200. Exercised watch closing watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. 0445. Battened forecastle  ???? light (Unable to read handwriting). 0900. Put clocks back 10 minutes. Divisions and prayers. 1000. Exercised Small Arms Company fully equipped. 100. Watch employed as most requisite. 1130. Increased to 95 revolutions – 9.7 knots. Noon. Position 34.50N. 19.52E. Wind NNW force 1 to 2 with slight sea. 1300. Watch employed as most requisite. Ordinary Seamen at seamanship instruction. 1700. Quarters. Exercised hands at Collision Stations. 1830. Hands scrubbing and washing clothes. 2100. Exercised hands at man and arm ship. 2300. Exercised watch closing watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. Midnight. Altered course to N64W at 10 knots. Coal expended 33 tons 15 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Port Said to Malta. Course N64W at 10.2 knots. Wind NW force 1 with blue sky. Barometer 30.09 inches rising to 30.20 at 0800 before falling to 30.18 at 1600 and finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. 0300. Exercised watch at close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. 0400. Wind NW by W force 1. 0500. Total error of standard compass 12.30 degrees W.  0630. Hands preparing for ship for coaling. 0800. Revolutions to 90. 0900. Reduced revolutions to 85. Hands preparing for coaling and as requisite. Noon. Position 35.46N. 15.20E. Wind SW force 1 to 2. St Elmo’s light Valetta N78 ½ W 40 miles. 1300. Hands making and mending clothes. 1430 Observed land on port bow and ahead. 1600. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour. 1700. Entered harbour. 1730. Secured ship to number 9 buoy. Secured aft with hawser to shore. Port watch preparing ship for coaling. Draught forward 12 feet 0 inches. Aft 16 feet 6 inches. 2230. (Unable to read handwriting as photo of log fuzzy). Coal expended 24 tons 4 cwt. Coal remaining 94 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Moored to number 9 buoy Malta. Wind north force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 before falling to 30.09 at 1600 and finishing at 30.07 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. 0600. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 420 lbs of soft bread. Hands bathed. 0720. Commenced coaling. 1000. Hands employed as requisite. Noon. Wind N by e force 1. 1300. Hands employed as requisite. 1400. Coaling ship. 1550. Finished coaling received 100 tons. 1700. Hands cleaning ship. 1800. Gave General leave to watch until 2100.  Coal expended 11 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Moored to number 9 buoy Malta. Wind calm with broken cloud. barometer 30.07 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 and to 30.18 at noon before falling to 30.10 at 1600  and finishing at 30.15 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. 0500. Received 124 lbs of fresh beef and 62 lbs of vegetables. 0600. Lit fires in all boilers. 0700. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 0800. Preparing ship for sea. 1000. Various ratings joined ship for passage to England. Noon. Wind NE force 1 with blue sky. 1400. Various ratings joined ship for passage to England. 1430. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1612. Slipped and proceeded. Working engines and helm as requisite. 1740. Passed St Elmo’s Light. Put over Cherub log. 1740. Course N10E standard N15E true. 1800. Altered course to N55W. 2150. Lost sight of St Elmo’s Light. 2300. Exercised sea boats crews and close watertight doors. Coal expended 14 tons 5 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

Malta to Gibraltar. Course N55W at 8.5 knots with slight sea. Wind North force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.12 at 0800 and to 30.17 at noon before falling to 30.15 at 1600 and then finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F.  0200. Exercised watch close watertight doors and sea boats crews. 0730. Course and speed as requisite to swing ship for deviation. 0900. Close land on port bow. Put clocks back 30 minutes. 0935. Proceeded N55W at 85 revolutions. 1000. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1015. Course and speed as requisite for locating position. 1030. Resumed course N55W standard. 1100. Divisions and prayers. Noon. Position 36.55N 11.56E. Wind NNW force 1. 1440. Sighted Cape Bon ? 2045. Sighted ??? Rock Light N75W (Writing faded). 2255 ?? light abeam. 2315. Sighted Ras Engela Light.  Coal expended 26 tons 17 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

Malta to Gibraltar. Course N55W at 4.5 knots in a smooth sea

Wind SSE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.17 inches falling to 30.07 at 0800 and to 30.03 at noon before finishing at 30.22 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 85F. 1130. Altered course to N75W0215. Ras Engela Light S14W. 0320. Cape P ???? Light S34W. 0400. Cape S??? abeam. 0418. Sighted C??? Light  N25W. (Writing is very small) 0430. Altered course as requisite to proceed through Galite Channel. 0505. Observed total ???? 15.20 W (Unable to read small handwriting) 1000. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. Noon. Position 38.0N 7.32E at 8 knots. 1400. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout and as requisite. 1630 Altered course – shaped N84W standard.1725. Quarters. Coal expended 23 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

Malta to Gibraltar. Course N84W at 8.3 knots. Wind WNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising o 30.10 at 0800 and to 30.15 at noon before falling to 30.07 at 1600  and then rising to 30.21 at 2000 before finishing at 30.24 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 79F. 0715.  Land in various ???? on port bow. (Writing very small) 0900. Divisions.  Put clocks back 12 minutes. 1015. Eased to slow. 1015. 1045. Proceeded at 85 revolutions – 6.2 knots. 1100. Watch employed as most requisite. Noon. Position 37.2N. 3.30E. Wind NE force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Issued soap and tobacco to Ship’s company. Hands making and mending clothes. 1700. Quarters. Exercised hands at man and arm ship. 1800. Hands scrubbing hammocks and washing clothes. 2000. Altered course to N79W. 2300. Observed light S45W. Exercised sea boats crews and close watertight doors. Coal expended 24 tons 5 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

Malta to Gibraltar. Course N79W at 8.8 knots in moderate sea. Wind east force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.22 inches  rising to 30.28 at 0800 and to 30.30 at noon before dropping to 30.28 at 2000 and finishing at 30.26 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 79F. 0200. Exercised sea boats crews and watch closing watertight doors. 0800. Divisions and prayers. 1100. Paraded Marines in heavy marching order. Noon. Position 36.44N. 0.46W. Wind east force 4. Europa Point 222 miles. 1300. Watch employed as most requisite.1700. Quarters. Exercised General Quarters and Fire Stations. 1800. Hands scrubbing hammocks and washing clothes. 1900. Altered course to N84W at 8.7 knots. 1940. Observed Cape (Cabo) de Gata Light NW.

https://www.cabogataalmeria.com/en/Gata-Nature-Reserve/Village-Town/Lighthouse-Cabo-Gata.html

2200. Cape de Gato N60E. 2215. Sighted Sabinal Point Light M41W. 2300. Exercised sea boats crews and watch closing watertight doors. 2335. Sabinal Point Light abeam. Coal expended 23 tons 16 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

Malta to Gibraltar. Course N84W at 8.6 knots in a slight following sea.  Wind ESE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 30.21 inches rising to 30.25 at 0800 and finishing at 30.20 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F.  0300. Observed Cala S ??? f (Unable to read handwriting) CS Light N by W. 0316.CS Light bearing N7W. 0350. Light bearing N5E. (Difficult to read handwriting) Exercised sea boats crews watch closing watertight doors. 0435 Observed land on starboard quarter. Sunrise observed deviation by standard 5.10 W. 1000. Hands preparing ship for coaling. 1145. Let go life buoy. Stopped. Lowered sea boat and picked up lifebuoy. Noon. Position 36.29N 4.35W at 6 knots. Wind ESE force 2 with broken cloud. Europa point 36 miles.1210. Hoisted sea boat. 1225. Proceeded N84W at 85 revolutions. 1430. Altered course to N74W. 1500. Watch employed as requisite. 1600. Wind NE force 2 to 3. 1700. Course and speed for coming to anchor in Gibraltar Bay. 1830. Let go port anchor in 15 fathoms and veered to 3 shackles.  Mediterranean Fleet at anchor. Banked fires. Coal expended 20 tons 17 cwt. Coal remaining 120 tons 3 cwt.  Number on sick list 7.

At anchor in Gibraltar Bay. Wind east force 2 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 30.14 inches rising to 30.22 at 0800 and to 30.23 at midday before falling to 30.22 at 1600 and to 30.19 at 2000 before finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 76F. 0900. Mediterranean Fleet weighed and proceeded. 1000. Weighed and proceeded alongside new mole. 1030. Secured ship alongside new mole. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 225 lbs of soft bread. 1140. Commenced coaling. Hands coaling ship. Noon. Wind SE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. 1530. Finished coaling. Received 135 tons. 1600. Hands cleaning ship. Preparing for sea. Four passengers joined ship for passage to England. 1800. Cast off from mole and proceeded as requisite out of bay. Set course for S28W compass. S16 W true.  1915.  Altered course to S80W compass. 1930. Quarters. Connected hand wheel.  2100. Altered course to N49W. 2145. Observed Cape Trafalgar.  Coal expended 11 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

At sea Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N49W at 8.8 knots. Wind East force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches rising to 30.12 at noon before falling to 30.11 at 1600 and then rising to 30.12 at 1800 before finishing at 30.14 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. 0420. Land visible off starboard quarter. 0525. Observed total error standard compass 22.10 west. 0900. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1000. Exercised hands at Fire Quarters. Noon. Position 36.40N 8.12W. Wind light with broken cloud and mist. 1300. Hands employed cleaning ship throughout. 1500. Observed Cape St Vincent Light N by W ½ W. 1645. Altered course to N2E at 8.5knots. 1700. Quarters. 1810. St Vincent abeam. 1900. Sunset observed Deviation standard 5.3 west. 2200. Exercised sea boats crews and watch closing watertight doors. Coal expended 25 tons 18 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

At sea Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N2E at 8.2 knots with sea swell. Wind north force 3 with blue sky and mist. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.13 at 0800 before falling to 30.12 at noon then rising to 30.30 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0100. Sighted Cape Espichel Light NE.

300. Exercised sea boats crews and watch at close watertight doors. 0400. Sighted Cape Rocha Light N30E. 0415. Espichel Light abeam. 0424. Observed land on starboard beam. 0530. Cape Espichel S69 ½ E.0600. Observed Deviation of standard compass 3.2 degrees west. 0618. Altered course to N22E – compass. 0755. Sounded in 51 fathoms. 0800 Wind NNE force 2 with overcast sky, fog and wet dew. 0900. Ship passed through heavy fog bank at 8.8 knots. 0945. Divisions. 1100. Ship passed through heavy fog bank 1130. Observed land on starboard beam. 1200. Performed Divine Service. Sounded in 56 fathoms. Position 39.20N 9.40W at 8.8 knots. Wind NNE force 1 to 2. 1210. Observed ???? (Unable to read writing)N58E 1213. Observed Barlings N78E. 1220. Passed P&O SS Orient. 1630. Observed total error of standard compass 20.50 west. 1700. Quarters. Furled awnings leaving Poop awnings spread. 2000. Observed total error for standard compass 21.18 west. Coal expended 26 tons 16 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

At sea Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N22E at 8.6 knots with slight sea. North force 1 with broken cloud and fog. Barometer 30.09 inches rising to 30.12 at 0800 and to 30.13 at noon before falling to 30.09 at 1600 and then rising to 30.12 at 2000 before finishing at 30.13 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0130. Ship passed through fog bank. 1000. Hands employed cleaning ship. Noon. Position 42.43N 9.38W at 8.5 knots. Wind variable and light with broken cloud and mist. 1255. Eased to 60 revolutions for heavy fog. 1300. Eased to 50 revolutions. 1340. Sounded by wire in 170 fathoms. Watch employed cleaning paintwork. 1358. Fog lifting. Increased to 60 revolutions.  1415. Altered course to N42E. Proceeded at 85 revolutions. 1600. Sounded in 100 fathoms. 1700. Quarters. Exercised at General Quarters. 1640. Observed total error of 5 degrees west. 2030. Vilpano Light ??? (Very difficult to read) 2100. Exercised – hoisting not under control lights.  2200. Exercised close watertight doors and sea boats crews. Coal expended 26 tons 8 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N42E at 9 knots with smooth sea. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches  rising to 30.09 at 0800 and to 30.10 at noon and to 30.12 at 1600 before falling to 30.08 at 2000 and finishing at 30.10 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 72F. 0200. Exercised hoisting – Not under control light. 0300. Exercised sea boats crews and watch closing watertight doors.  0500. Observed deviation to standard compass 6.0 degrees west. 0900. Exercised hoisting – Not under control lights. 1000. Repeated exercise. 1030. Hands employed cleaning paintwork. Noon. Position 45.57N 7,57W at 8.5 knots. Wind north force 1 to 2. 1300. Issued slops to Ship’s Company. Exercised hoisting – Not under control lights. 1400. Hands making and mending clothes. 1700 Quarters. Exercised hands at General Quarters.  1800. Hands scrubbing and washing clothes. 2000. Altered course to N45E. 2045. Exercised watch at Man and arm ship. 2200. Exercised ships boat crews and closing watertight doors. Coal expended 32 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea. Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N45E at 9.1 knots with a smooth sea. Wind ENE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches falling to 30.08 at 0800 and rising to 30.09 at noon before rising again to 30.10 at 2000 and finishing at 30.13 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 69F.  0030. Sounded in 96 fathoms. 0130. Sounded in 89 fathoms. 0230. Sounded 82 fathoms. 0300. Exercised watch at close watertight doors and sea boats crews. 0350. Sounded in 78 fathoms.  0400. Altered course to N47E at 9 knots. 0600. Sounded in 70 fathoms. 0700. Sounded in 60 fathoms – sand and shell. 0900. Divisions and prayers. Exercised Small Arms Company. 1100. Hands employed as requisite. Sounded in 57 fathoms – sand and shell. Noon. Position 49.15N 5.34W at 9.7 knots. Wind ENE force 2 to 3.  1400. Sounded in 54 fathoms – sand.  1500. Turned out cutter and stream anchor. 0230. Sounded in 51 fathoms – sand. 1530. Sounded in 48 fathoms – sand. 1600. Over cast and fog. 1820. Observed D??? 2 pie on ?? bows ( Writing faded in parts) 1830. Altered course to east. 2150. Observed Eddystone SE by S. 2035. Eddystone abeam.  2230. Let go starboard anchor in 7 fathoms. Veered to 3 shackles. Banked fires in numbers 2 and 5 boilers. Coal expended 34 tons 12 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At anchor at Devonport. Draught forward 12 feet 3 inches. Aft 15 feet 8 inches. Wind east force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before falling to 30.00 at noon before falling again to 29.98 at 2000and finishing at 30.04 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 67F. 0615. Veered to four shackles. 0730. Raised steam in steam cutter.0800. Saluted Port Admiral with 11 guns. 0900. General leave. Chief Petty Officers until 1530. 1000. Discharged all ratings and prisoners. 1100. Hands employed scrubbing canvas gear and as requisite. Noon. Wind east force 4 to 7 with broken cloud, squalls and rain. 1300. General leave to Chief Petty Officers until 1530. Hands employed unshipping awning stations and as requisite. 1600. Traveller (?) came alongside. Received various ratings onboard for passage to Chatham. 1700. Quarters. Rove anchor gear and prepared securing for sea. 1800. Weighed and proceeded up the harbour. 1900. Gave 24 hours leave to starboard watch. 2100. Let fires die out. 2240. Drew fires in steam cutter. Coal expended 18 tons 18 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

Secured to buoy at Plymouth. Wind east force 2. Overcast with squalls and thunder. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 and to 30.14 at noon before falling to 30.10 inches at 2000 where it remained at midnight. Temperature at noon. 65F. 0430. Raised steam in cutter. 0530. HMS Peleus proceeded into basin

HMS Pelorus was the first of the Pelorus-class cruiser, and was laid down at Sheerness dockyard in 1896. Completed and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 15 December the same year, she was designed by Sir William White. Construction cost £154,315. The ship was well armed for her size, but was primarily a workhorse for the overseas fleet.[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Pelorus_(1896)

900. Hands employed cleaning ship and as most requisite. 111`5. Lowered sails. Noon. Wind south force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Hands employed as requisite. 1400. Furled fore and aft sails. 1700. Quarters. 1800. Gave 24 hour leave to port watch. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

Secured to buoy at Plymouth / Devonport. Wind S by W force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 20.14 inches rising to 30.25 at noon before falling to 30.21 at 1600 and finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. 0600. Received 234 lbs of beef and 114 lbs of vegetables. 100. Hands employed cleaning ship and as requisite. Noon. Wind S by W force 1 with broken cloud. 1300. Hands employed as requisite. 1500. Hands preparing ship for sea. 200. Drew fires in cutter. Coal expended 1 ton 11 cwt. 90 tons 8 cwt remaining. Number on sick list 5.