1649. Left harbour under steam. Wind SW force 4 increasing to 5.
1330. In boom boats. Preparing for sea.
1340. Lit fires under both boilers.
1545. Weighed and proceeded. Course SE ½ S.
1715. Made all plain sail save Royals and Flying jib.
1800. Foul Point N60W. Alligator Rocks S40W. Stopped steaming. Course SE ½ S.
Remarks
The dockyard appears to in every way efficient for the supplies of the ships of the station, except in the Victualling Department which is generally deficient of some things, especially bread. On our provisioning only sufficient sugar and flour to take us to the Capes. At Madras we received 4000 lbs of biscuit from contractor ( Parry and Co) about 2000 lbs of which we turned over to COLUMBINE so as to facilitate her departure. The Control Department and naval contractor supplying us biscuit; the latter producing very inferior stuff.. The COLUMBINE took her departure on the 3 June having received two spares for main yard – the first ones being condemned on examination and two of our carpenters were employed in assisting with the other.
We had very little rain and a strong SW monsoon blowing the whole time with exception of two or three days ( 26 – 29 may) when the wind hauled round to ENE. The anchorage in Back Bay is nice and quiet this time of the year; several small craft being at anchor
