24 May 1897

Moored in Aden inner harbour. Wind force 1 ENE increasing to force 4 from a southerly direction. Broken cloud with squalls and lightning during the afternoon and evening. Barometer 29.19 inches rising to 30.00 at 0800 before falling and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. Received 118 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lb of vegetables plus 450 lbs of bread.  0400. One Qualified Signalman re-joined from prison. 0600. Preparing for sea. 0800 Dressed ship Rainbow fashion in honour of birthday of HM the Queen and Empress. 0830 Lit fires in 1, 2, 3 Boilers.  0930. Divisions and prayers. Received stores for passage to Bombay. Noon. Fired salute of 31 guns. 1300. Make and mend clothes. One leading Stoker re-joined from hospital. Draught forward 14ft 8 inches. Aft 15 feet 11 inches. 1500. Two men joined from MELPOMENE. 1600. Preparing for sea. 1810. Undressed ship. 1830. Weighed and proceeded as requisite out of harbour. 1805. Revolutions 85. 1900. Put over log. 1915. Shaped to S69E at 7 knots. 2200. Altered course to N70SE at 8.4 knots2300. Watch closed watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. Coal expended 19 tons 2 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

Anchor crest

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