At sea. Calcutta to Maskat (Muscat) via Colombo. Course N48W at 10.4 knots with slight sea. Wind NE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.08 at noon before falling to 30.01 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.09 inches. Temperature at noon. 87F. 0042. Point De Galle Light abeam. 1352. Altered course to N16”. Exercised sea boats crews and close watertight doors. 0228. Dacbe—- Light N6E. 0415. Dacbe— Light abeam. 0610. Altered course to north. 0635. Altered course to NNE. 0715. In Patent log. 0730. Altered course as for Colombo Harbour. Connected steam wheel. 0755. Stopped. Embarked pilot. Proceeded as requisite in charge of pilot into harbour. 0810. Came to in broken bottom in 4 ½ fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. Secured to buoy forward with 3 inch wire and to anchor astern with 4 inch wire. Banked fires. Coal lighters came alongside. 0950. Commenced coaling. Noon. Let fires die out. HMS Melpomene in harbour. 1545. Finished coaling. Received 195 tons. Cleaning ship. 1715. HMS Melpomene sailed. Special leave to starboard watch. Coal expended 7 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 5.