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.
- 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.
