01 October 1897

At sea. Colombo to Mali. Course S66W at 4 knots. With slight sea. Wind west force 3 with broke cloud becoming force 1 in afternoon. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.10 at noon before dropping to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at 30.11 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0200. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors.  0545. Increased to 85 revolutions – 9 knots. 0625. Sighted Maldives on starboard bow. 0800. Altered course as requisite along edge of reef. 0815. Stopped and lowered sea boat. Communicated with Bagalo (Believed to be house on stilts). Up boat. 0845 Proceeded NNE at 85 revolutions. Divisions. Exercised General Quarters. 1010. Altered course for Mali. 1030. Altered course as requisite through reefs. 1140 Came to P.D. in 27 fathoms and veered to 8 shackles Saluted Sultan with 21 guns. Fort returned with 21 guns. .  Anchorage bearings.  North extension of Wilingeli SW ¾ W (Now called Villingili). Eastern extension of Kings Island. SE ¾ E Magnetic. 1300. Banked fires in numbers 1, 2 and 3 boilers. Distilling with number 4 boiler.  1400. Paid Monthly money to Ship’s company. Issued soap and tobacco. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 9 tons 17 cwt. Number on sick list 5

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