Moored alongside HMS Himalaya at Devonport. Wind SSW force 2 with overcast sky. Barometer  30.10 inches falling to 30.05 at noon before rising to 30.10 at 1600 and to 30.20 at 2000 and finally finishing at 20.15 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 50F. 0600. Employed cleaning ship. Liberty men returned. 0800 Wind SSW force 3 with overcast sky. 1000. Divisions and prayers. Noon. Wind SW force 2 to 4 with overcast sky, squalls and rain. 1300. Special leave to both watches. 1600. Wind NW force 3 to 4 with overcast sky. 1800. Boys returned from leave. Coal expended 1 ton. Number on sick list 22.

Moored alongside HMS Himalaya at Devonport. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.15 inches falling to 30.10 t 0800 before rising to 30.18 at 2000 and finishing at 30.20 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 57F. 0600. Cleaning ship 0800. Wind WSW force 1 with broken cloud. 0930. Divisions and prayers. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind NW by W force 2 to 3 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind WNW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Evening Quarters. Special leave to watch. 2000. Wind WNW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 2200. Liberty men returned. Coal expended 1 ton 12 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

Moored alongside HMS Himalaya at Devonport. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.40 inches rising to 30.42 at 0800 before falling to 30.40 at 1600 and then rising to 30.45 at 2000 and finishing at 30.48 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 56F.  0600. Cleaning ship. Boys at physical drill. 0800. Wind west force 1 Lit fires in two boilers. 0900. Divisions and prayers. 0915 Read stations for Man and Arm ship.  0955. Manned all boats. Noon. Wind west force 2 with broken cloud.1230. Slipped and proceeded with tugs to basin pool. 1330. Made fast to buoy. Preparing for sea. 1400. Let fires die out in one boiler. 1600. Wind NNW force 3 with broken cloud. 1630. Evening Quarters. 1700. Discharged one signalman to HMS Janus.

HMS Janus was the lead ship of the Janus-class destroyers which served with the Royal Navy. She was launched by Palmers in 1895, served on the Chinese station for much of her career and was sold off in 1912.

Received 500 lbs of beef and 250 lbs of vegetables. Coal expended 3 tons 10 cwt. 251 tons 9 cwt remaining. Number on sick list 3.

Moored at a buoy at Devonport. Wind calm with blue sky. Barometer 30.45 inches and falling to 30.43 at 0800 and then rising to 30.63 at noon and to 30.57 at 1600 then falling to 30.53 inches where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 55F. 0600. Cleaning ship. HMS ???? (Unable to read handwriting.) proceeded. Boys at physical drill. 0800. Wind WNW force 1 with broken cloud.  Preparing for sea. 0920. Boys at signal instruction. Six inch Quick fire guns crews at division at drills. Marines at 3 pounder  Quick Fire Drills. Noon. Wind WSW force 2. 1300. Slipped and proceeded out of harbour. Course as requisite. 1335. Penlee Point abeam. Shaped course to S45W at 55 revolutions for Vigo. Put clock back 15 minutes. Put Patent log over the side. 1419. Eddystone abeam. 1600. Wind WSW force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Evening Quarters. 1610. Stations for Man and Arm ship. 1620. Port watch Man and Arm ship. 1630. Starboard watch Man and Arm ship. 1650. Watch – Close watertight doors. 1800. Watch -Close watertight doors. 200. Wind light with blue sky Put clock back 10 minutes. Increased to 93 revolutions . Coal expended 13 tons 10 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At sea Devonport to Vigo. Course S45W at 10.2 knots. Wind SE force 1 to 2 with blue sky and smooth sea. Barometer 30.49 inches rising to 30.50 at 0800 and then falling to 30.45 at noon and to 30.24 at 1600and then rising to 30.29 at 2000 before finishing at 30.20 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 55F. 0030. Sighted Ushant Light to SSE. 0200. Exercised – Watch close watertight doors. 0500. Cleaning ship. 0600. Set forestaysail. 0800. Wind SE force 3 to 4 with blue sky. Signal class at instruction. Exercised Small Arms Company. Noon. Position 46.58N 7.7W.  Course S45W at 9.5 knots. Wind SE force 3 to4 with blue sky.1210. Altered course to S41W. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind SE force 5 to 6 with blue sky. 2000. Wind S by E force 2 to 3.  Coal expended 24 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 2.

At sea Devonport to Vigo. Course S41W at 9.8 knots. Wind SSE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.13 inches rising to 30.27 at 0800 and the falling to 30.25 at noon before rising to 30.26 at 1600 and to 30.40 at 2000 before finishing at 30.23 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 56F. 0430. Took in fore and aft sails. 0600. Cleaning ship. 0800. Wind south force 1 to 3 with broken cloud 0850. Divisions and prayers. 0900. Altered course to S1W. Exercised General Quarters; fire and collision stations in action. Carried out Morris tube practice. 1140. Sighted land on port bow. Noon. Position 43.21N 9.28W. Course S1W at 10.5 knots. Increased to 96 revolutions. 1300. Carrying out Morris tube practice. Marines at musketry. 1345. Altered course to S23 ½ W. 1415. Altered course to S2W. 1527. Altered course to S9 ½ E. Torpedo guns crews at drill.1600. Wind SW 2 force 2 with blue sky.  Tested lifebuoy. 1605. Evening Quarters. Exercised – man and arm boats. 1630. Altered course S22 ½ E. 1800. Course as requisite for entering harbour. Hauled in patent log. 1945. Stopped and came to on port anchor in 15 fathoms and veered to 3 ¼ shackles. Banked fires. Anchor bearings (Unable to read handwriting) Wind calm. Coal expended 22 tons 1 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

At sea Vigo to Gibraltar. Course S5W at 10 knots with a smooth sea and broken cloud. Wind south force 3. Barometer 30.13 inches falling to 30.05 at 0800 and then rising to 30.10 at 200 before finishing at 30.05 at midnight. Temperature at noon 63F.  0235. Cape Rosa Light abeam at 11.4 miles. 03.50. Sighted Cape ? (Unable to read handwriting) S56E. 0455. Cape ? (Unable to read handwriting) abeam. 0700. Cleaning ship. 0800. Wind SSE force 2 to 3. 0900. Divisions and prayers. Exercised General Quarters. 1100. Altered course to S12E. Boys at cutlass drill. Starboard Division mustering? (Unable to read handwriting) Noon. Position 37.8N 9.21W. Course S12E at 9.2 knots. Wind SSE force 3 to 5.  Altered course to S179 at 10.5 knots. 1230. Sighted Cape Vincent. 1325. Altered course to S30E. 1332. Altered course to S62E. 1400. Altered course S49E. Employed stowing towing arrangements. 1600. Wind SSE force 3 to 5. Speed 10.5 knots 1615. Evening Quarters. 1815. Put clocks back 05 minutes.  2000. Wind SSE force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Coal expended 21 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list Nil.

At sea Vigo to Gibraltar. Course S49E at 11 knots. Wind SE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.14 inches rising to 30.19 at 0800 and then falling to 30.10 at noon before rising again to 30.13 at 1600; then falling to 30.10 inches where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 67F.

0330. Sighted Cape Trafalgar Light S80E.
0515. Altered course to S59E.
0710. Altered course to S84E.
0800. Wind SE force 2 with broken cloud.
0925. Stopped. 0930. Proceeded.
0940. Stopped made fast to new mole at Gibraltar.
1010. HMS Polyphemus proceeded.

The third HMS Polyphemus was a Royal Navy torpedo ram, serving from 1881 until 1903. A shallow-draft, fast, low-profile vessel, she was designed to penetrate enemy harbours at speed and sink anchored ships. Designed by Nathaniel Barnaby primarily as a protected torpedo boat, the ram was provided very much as secondary armament. Launched at Chatham 15 June 1881. Sold for braking up 7 July 1903.

1055. Commenced coaling.
Noon. Wind SE force 2 with broken cloud. Received 130 lbs of beef and 65 lbs of vegetables plus 270 lbs of bread.
1600. Wind west force 1 with broken cloud.
1620. Finished coaling. Received 120 tons.

Coal expended 8 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At Gibraltar. Wind calm with blue sky. Barometer 30.07 inches falling to 30.02 at 0800 and then rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 30.00 at1600 and rising to 30.02 at 2000 before finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. Received 540 lbs of beef and 130 lbs of vegetables plus 65 lbs of bread.  0500. Cleaning ship. 0800. Wind north force 1 with broken sky. Employed as requisite. Received 16 tons of water. Noon. Wind west force 2 with broken cloud.1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind calm with broken cloud.  Evening Quarters. 1700. General Leave to Port watch. 1800. (Unable to read handwriting) Three supernumeraries joined ILLUSTRIOUS and OCEAN. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4

At Gibraltar. Draught 14 feet 11 inches forward. 15 feet 8 inches aft. Wind south force 2 with broken cloud.  Barometer at noon. 30.03 inches falling to 30.02 at 1600 and to 29.95 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 68F. Sea temperature 62F.  0400. Received 2 ½ tons of water. 150 lbs of beef and 75 lbs of vegetables. Cleaning ship as requisite and preparing for sea.  0900. Landed Small Arms Company and Marines on Mole for drills. 1015. Small Arms Company returned. 1125. Slipped and proceeded. 1155. Shaped course to S82E at 85 revolutions for Malta. Streamed Patent log. 1330. Commenced full speed trial at 130 revolutions. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind WNW force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Evening Quarters. Read and exercised stations for “Out diving gear” and “Fire engine”.  Starboard watch at physical drill. 1730. Finished full speed trail. Eased to 108 revolutions (Reached 15 knots). Carried out steam trial. 1900. Put clock on 6 minutes. 2000. Wind West by North force 3 with broken cloud. 2255 Sighted Cape de Gato. 2345. Cape de Gato abeam.

Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park in the southeastern corner of Spain is Andalusia’s largest protected coastal area, a wild and isolated landscape. Spain’s southeast coast, where the park is situated, is a region in mainland Europe with a hot desert climate. Wikipedia

Coal expended 29 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list NIL.

At sea Gibraltar to Malta. Course S82E at 13 .5 knots with a smooth sea. Wind SSE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 9.98 inches rising to 29.99 at 0800 and falling to 29.97 at noon  and then rising to 29.99 at 1600 and to 30.08 at 2000 before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 63F.  0600. Cleaning ship. 0800. Wind west force 2 with broken cloud.  0900. Divisions and prayers.  1000. Put clock on 15 minutes. Watch employed as requisite. Noon. Position 36.43N 0.58E. Course S82E at 13 knots. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. 1335. Finished steam trial. 1337. Eased to 83 revolutions. Hauled in Patent log. 1345. Stopped and dropped target. 1347. Proceeded at 8 knots as requisite for target practice.1540. Finished target practice. Expended ½ quarterly ammunition for 6 inch and light machine guns and one inch and 45 inch aiming tubes. 1550. Stopped and picked up target. Broken while firing 3 wine glasses and one liquor glass. 1600 Wind SSW force 1 with broken cloud. Proceeded on S84E at 85 revolutions. Put over Patent log. 1700. Served out Slops. Sent overboard. One Quick Fire black charge and primer mark III plus grapenal and 35 x 1 ½ inch (?) (Hand writing in this sentence difficult to read) Scrub and wash clothes. 1930. Serghel Light abeam. (?) 2030. Sighted (?) light. 2138. Sighted Matifer Light. 2255.  (?) Light abeam. Coal expended 27 tons 16 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea Gibraltar to Malta. Course S84E at 12.2 knots. Wind light airs with broken cloud. Barometer 30.14 inches falling to 30.02 at 0800 and to 29.95 at noon before rising to 29.96 at 1600 and then falling to 29.93 at 2000 and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0100. Sighted Cape Bangut.  Put clock on 8 minutes. 0315. Cape Bangutalea abeam. 0800. Wind calm. 0900. Cleaning ship throughout. 1000. Put clock on 12 minutes. Noon. Position 37.12N 5.45E. Course S84E at 10 knots.  Wind east force 2 with blue sky. 1300. Cleaning ship inside and out. 1515. Cape Bocfasoni abeam. Altered course to S77E. 1600. Wind east force 2 with broken cloud. 1640. Evening Quarters. 1710. Cape Far abeam. 2000. Wind east force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. 2214. Cape de Juand abeam. Coal expended 22 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

At sea Gibraltar to Malta. Course S77E at 10.6 knots. Wind ESE force 2 with cloud and a smooth sea. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.86 at 0800 and to 29.97 at noon and then falling to 29.95 at 1600 and to 29.85 at 2000. Before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 66F. 0230. Sighted Cape Serrat light. 0415. Altered course to N80E. 0615. Fratelli Rock abeam

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-154624

The view shown is at dusk, looking westward along the Tunisian coast, west of Bizerta. The promontory on the horizon is Cape Serrat and that to the left probably the high ground behind Ras El Golea. Les Fratelli as they are called in the modern Admiralty “Mediterranean Pilot,” (Though more correctly “I Fratelli” – the brothers) , are two prominent rocks just over two miles NNE of  Ras El Golea.

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800. Wind south force 2 to 3 with cloud. 0830. Altered course to S60E. 0930. Divisions and prayers. Read Articles of War. 1040. Cain Light House abeam. Put clock forward 6 minutes. Noon. Position 37.24N 1048E. Course S60E at 9 knots. Wind ESE force 3 to 4 with cloud. 1425. 1`515. Sighted Pantella Island to SE. 1522. Cape Bon abeam. 1600. Wind SE force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Evening Quarters. 2000. Wind SE force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 2021. Altered course to S51E. Reduced to 92 Revolutions. 2200. Put clock on 7 minutes.

Coal expended 23 tons 1 cwt.  Number on sick list 4.

At sea. Gibraltar to Malta. Course S51E at 10 knots. Wind ESE force 2 with broken cloud and smooth sea. Barometer 29.98 inches falling to 29.95 at 0800 and then rising to 30.02 at noon and to 30.04 at 1600 and 30.05 at 1800 before finishing at 30.08 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 73F.

0200. Put clocks on 7 minutes.
0530. Sighted Gozo Island S40E.
0740. Cape D (?) (Unable to read handwriting) abeam. Altered course to S38E.
0800. Wind ESE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud.
0815. Hauled in Patent log.
0905. Altered course to S18E.
0930. As requisite to enter harbour.
0955. Stopped and made fast to No 18 buoy in Bighi Bay.

1300. Preparing for coaling.
1345. Commenced coaling.
1600. Wind calm with broken cloud.
1700. Finished coaling. Received 100 tons.
1710. Slipped and proceeded to C and H buoys in Dockyard creek.
1725. Stopped. Let fires go out.

Coal expended 10 tons 18 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Moored at buoys C and H in Dockyard Creek Malta. Wind calm with broken cloud all day.  Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.05 at 0800 and to 30.06 at noon then falling to 30.05 at 1600 and finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 67F.  0200. Received 15 tons of drinking water and 40 tons of boiler water. 0600. Cleaning ship. 0800. Employed as requisite. 1300. Cleaning ship. Ship under dockyard repair.1400. Received 130 lbs of beef and 65 lbs of vegetables plus 270 lbs of bread.  1600. Evening Quarters. General leave to port watch. 1800. Storing ammunition. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4

Moored at buoys C and H in Dockyard Creek Malta. Wind SSE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches falling to 30.01 at 0800 and to 29.95 at noon; to 29.90 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 69F. 0600. Cleaning ship and boats and as requisite. 0700. Liberty men returned. 0800. Drawing gunner’s stores and ammunition for passage. Noon. Wind calm with broken cloud. 1300. Cleaning ship. 1400. General leave to starboard watch. 1700. Evening Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Moored at buoys C and H in Dockyard Creek Malta. Wind calm with broken cloud and passing showers. Barometer 29.85 inches rising to 29.90 at 0800 and to 29.95 ay 1600 and to 29.92 at 2000 before finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 80F. 0700. Liberty men returned. 0800. Wind calm with broken cloud.  Divisional drills at 6 inch Quick Fire gun. Torpedo drill. Marines at .45 Nordinfelt gun. Remainder drawing Engineering stores. Noon. Wind NNW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Received 130 lbs of beef and 65 lbs of vegetables plus 200 lbs of bread. 1600 Wind NWN force 1 with broken cloud. Make and mend clothes. 1700. Evening Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Moored at buoys C and H in Dockyard Creek Malta. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.10 at noon and to 30.13 at 1600before falling to 30.09 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 73F. 0200. Received 130 lbs of beef and 65 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0700. Liberty men returned. 0800. Wind calm. Tested lifebuoys and found correct. Exercised small arms. Marines at musketry. 0930. (Difficult to read handwriting) Received (?????) fire on shore. 0945. Exercised ditto. Received 10 tons of fresh water. Noon. Wind WNW force 3 with broken cloud. Discharged one private to the Garrison. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind WNW force 3 with broken cloud. Watch at physical drill (68F).  Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list. 4

Moored at buoys C and H in Dockyard Creek Malta. Wind NNW force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.10 inches rising to 30.18 t noon and then falling to 30.15 at 1600; then rising again to 30.20 at 2000 before finishing at 30.16 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F.  0200. Dockyard completed repairs to engine.  0600. Cleaning ship. Preparing for sea. 0800. Wind calm with broken cloud. Noon. Wind WNW force 2 with broken cloud. 1303. Unshackled. 1400. Slipped and proceeded for Port Said. 1420. Shaped to S64E. Streamed Patent log. 1515. Eased port engine on account of misfiring.  1530. Port engine worked up to 87 revolutions. 1600. Wind WNW force 1 to 2 with broken cloud.  Evening Quarters.  1940. Exercised sea boats crew. 2145. Passed HMS Victorious bound west. 2300. Put clocks on 8 minutes. Coal expended 11 Tons 8 cwt. Number on sick list 4.