DIARY OF:

CAPTAIN CUTHBERT HELSHAM HEATH-CALDWELL DSC RN

 This diary was written by my grandfather Cuthbert Helsham Heath-Caldwell during the period 18th November 1911 up until 10th December 1914.  It covers his time as a young officer in the Royal Navy, with various postings, the main period being his time in the Persian Gulf where he was in command of the armed launch Miner, operating off the coast of what is now known as the Sultanate of Oman.

Cuthbert's launch Miner was originally part of a small group who's main objective was to stop gun running amoungst the local Arab population.  In late 1914 events changed quickly with the beginning of World War I and Britain being at war with Turkey.

In general I have tried to type the diary out with minimal changes and I hope this copy gives an accurate flavour of exactly how Cuthbert wrote it.  Where I have added further information to help complete the picture, this is always in italics so as to distinguish it from the original text.  Where I am not certain of the spelling of a particular word (which is quite often) I have typed the closest to what I think the word was supposed to be.  This applies particularly to place names, which are often quite clearly spelt in a number of different ways, sometimes all in the same paragraph.

The diary was of particular interest to me, not only because it was written by my grandfather, but also because from 1982 to 1985 I was myself working in the Sultanate of Oman.  Although I gained a good familiarity with many of the places mentioned in the Diary I was at the time almost completely unaware that I was in a small way following in my grandfather's footsteps.

According the the Heath Family Records Volume 1, Cuthbert was born at Aldershot, 7th November 1889, educated at Winton House, Winchester, passed 11th as naval cadet, and two years later passed out of the Britannia 6th.  He then went as midshipman to the Australian station for two years in the Flagship H.M.S. Powerful, then in the Home Fleet, until going to Greenwich for the usual Sub-Lieut course.  There he passed out well obtaining four firsts and two seconds.  After this he was for a short time second in command of a Torpedo-Boat Destroyer in the Home Fleet, then from 12 January 1911 he was appointed for what was to be 18 months in the battleship HMS Triumph in the Mediterranean.  It is from here that the diary starts as follows:

Diary 1911

Saturday 18th November 1911, HMS Triumph, Malta

Just formed another good resolution i.e. this diary business.  It will be interesting to see how long I keep it up.

My 8th day off today so I have had no watch to keep.  Last night dined at club with Brodie & Westlake of the Swiftsure.  Afterwards to a charity show at the Manoel theatre which I thought rather poor.  Played rackets before breakfast and this afternoon.  A fine day after about 10 days rain.  At 4.00pm the fleet proceeded to sea en route for Platea leaving Cornwalis & Aboukir in Malta.  Business done.  Paid Tomlin & Mulveney's bills, read a little of Hamlet, otherwise I am afraid I haven't got much forrader.  Feeling on the whole pretty merry & bright in spite of what promises to be a pretty mouldy week.  Spent most of the day weighing the pros and cons of beard growing, finally decided to wait a bit.  A fine evening, am carrying my scuttle but intend to sleep on top of wireless room.

Sunday 19th November 1911

So far an uneventful day plugging along at about 9 knots with a following wind & sea.  Kept forenoon watch and took an unsuccessful sight though the horizon appeared to be quite good.

Tuesday 21st November 1911 3.45am

Another very pleasant middle over.  Passed time reading Stalky & Co & making . . . with an occasional glance at stars.  We anchored about 4 miles from Oxia at 10am.  Got under way at 4pm.  1" Piff at targets from 6.30 till 7.30.  Now going rounds. 

After lunch.  Piff all afternoon.  By the way before I forget it who wrote.

"I never had a dear gazelle

to glad me with its soft black eye.

But when it came to know me well

and love me it was sure to die".

Thursday 23rd November 1911

Spent all yesterday forenoon at anchor doing 14 Pdr piff (303) at two 24" iron targets towed at about 4 knots, range 500 yards.  Got underway at about 3.00pm and towed targets for Exmouth & Russell, night defence practice &ldots;. two pattern 111 targets used.  Exmouth got no hits, Russell got 4.  Anchored again at about 9.30, at 10.30 shifted berth closer to Oxia.  The whole of Wednesday was spent at anchor, in the evening practised two night attacks on port side only, using three steam boats.  Boats came down in line ahead and got very close before being observed.  Afterwards 14 Pdr control piff (1" aiming) at 6 by 8 target range about 900x, with large percentage of hits.  Early this morning, Captain, Commander, No.1 and Pilot started on shooting expedition; to any island about 8' away.  Just received signal to say that Hussar has gone on beach off Corfu, where she has gone for mails.  Diana has gone to her assistance.  Perfect weather whole trip.  Glass about 30.00 fine sunny days, temperature nearly 70°, sea about 68°, a delightful bathe every morning.  Before I forget it, must just jot down about Shooting at Minorca, farm called Mangope vell, write to British Consul, and washing-man called Rogers, cost about £1 per day 4 guns.

Saturday 25th November 1911

Old Thomas went on the "list" on Thursday and I had to take on navigator.  This I managed with fair success that evening when we towed targets for other ships.  However the pilot was still sick on Friday and "Pride had a fall".  Having taken the ship to the first firing ground I had to go down to my first casemate for the 1st practice.  When this was over I was told to fix the ship, the only object bright being Oxia light and a problematical searchlight beam barely visible on the horizon.  The consequence was that Portland got more & more worried & finally Mexse was told to take on whilst I retired, as gracefully as circumstances would permit under a cloud.  Well so much for my opportunity.  Have a first day on today and there is more firing tonight.  Anchored off fixed targets last night, but slipped to berth behind Oxia this afternoon.  Glass falling slightly wind & sea rising.

Sunday 26th November 1911

We had a most poisonous evening for our firing last night.  The first thing was Squadron firing.  This was fairly successful.  Then we went off on our own for the night battle practice, the Russell towing our targets for us.  Owing to the weather she took a long time to get them out.  At the first attempt we couldn't see the targets so we turned round and tried again.  Finally after hoisting in targets we anchored in a fairly sheltered billet North of Makri Island.  Bloomfield, Wood, Warren & Loughlin have gone to the lakes near Plataix  to shoot.  I should love to have gone but unfortunately I have got the afternoon watch.  I have been weak enough to lend my gun to Bloomfield.  I hope they will have better luck than the last shooting party, where the only really exciting incident was when a leading seaman had a fit and had beer poured over his face, there being no water.  Have now been on board over a week and am feeling pretty rotten in consequence.

Thursday 28th November 1911Corfu

We left our anchorage of Makri Island about 6.00am yesterday and moored ship in Corfu about 4.30pm, the distance being 96 miles.  There was a certain amount of disturbance on the way in owing to a report that King of Greece was in Corfu, & we anchored ship in frock coats & swords and stood by to man ship.  However luckily he left before we arrived.  I landed about 5.30 and went for a short walk with Ward, subsequently dining with him at the Hotel Anglaterre or Bien venue in the southern quarter of the town where we had a moderate dinner.  Two admirals & their families were also dining there besides Diggle, Smith, Osborn & Bingham, the former is being cm'd tomorrow for putting his ship ashore.  Landed about 2.30 today after divisional . . .  in the forenoon.  Started off on a solitary walk along the Peninsular at the back (southern side) of the town.  When I arrived at the end met Brodie & Tod of the Swiftsure.  We went across by the ferry (6¢ each) and finally reached the Achillion by rather a round about & very pretty cross-country route.  (4.30pm) Tea at a house there, then walked back by moonlight along the road, arriving in town about 7.15.  Found mail on board with letter from Mother (Constance Mary Helsham Heath-Caldwell).  Their projected timetable as follows.

Leave Marseilles 29.12.11

Arrive Egypt 03.01.12

Leave Egypt 10.01.12

Arrive Ceylon 20.01.12 P&O arrives

Leave Ceylon 28.01.12 Singapore 9th March

Arrive Singapore 08.02.12 Colombo 15th March

Leave Singapore 10.02.12 Suez 25th March

Arrive Hong Kong 16.02.12

Leave Hong Kong 03.03.12

Arrive Plymouth 05.04.12

Have been reading Hawke Olympic collision case in Admiralty court.  They have got a large crowd of experts up to prove that Hawke's bow was hauled over to port into the Olympic although helm was hard aport, but I suppose the overtaking ship will finally be had. 

Am sleeping on deck tonight.

Wednesday 29th November 1911

We exercised general drill independently in forenoon getting out nets twice & out all wire hausers.  Getting big wire out on a reel having been forbidden by C.inC. as unpractical, it is now hoisted out on an enormous wooden bobbin.  When it is in the boat, four nuts are unscrewed and half the contrivance is lifted out again.  It undoubtedly saves time, but I don't consider it practical.  This afternoon I walked out to the northward of the town along the sea front most of the way, distance about 8 kilometres.

Friday 1st December 1911

Half an hours mimie warfare this forenoon.

Sunday 3rd December 1911

Five of us, Goldsmith, Wharton, Morse, Loughlin & self obtained 48 hours leave from Saturday forenoon, having planned to visit San Salvatore Monastery, the highest point on island towards north.  Our oringinal plan was to go up to S. Salvatore first day, starting 5.00am, sleep in monastery and return next day.  Saturday being wet, Goldsmith & Wharton cried off.  However it cleared slightly towards the afternoon and at about 1.15pm M. L. & self  were ashore, bound for Spartilla (Spartilas) a village nestling in hills well below S. Salvatore, and distance about 15 miles or rather 20 kilos from the capital.  We drove to Gaind and walked remaining 12 miles arriving at Spartilla about 4.15, damp but cheery.  M was rather exhausted as he would insist on wearing alpine boots weighing an enormous amount.

We arrived in Spartilla by a route which appeared to combine the duties of high street and main drain, and immediately became the centre of attraction of a large gang of villages.  Finally we got up on to the upper road.  I must here remark that I had previously purchased a small paper book entitled the Englishmen in Greece, price &ldots;  After much trouble, which ended in me writing down the name for wine in Greek characters, we were conducted by one man, far more intelligent than the rest to a very doubtful looking & soil smelling hostelry where wine was what out to him & his friends at out expense (I may say that the said wine had a very strong flavour, and taste of goats, owing probably to having been stowed in goat skins.  After more waiting and pantomime we obtained the use of a house (kind of guest house) consisting to two floors i.e. two rooms, two beds! & a table in the upper room &ldots; the lower one.  We also obtained a very savoury meal of some sort of roast cockiolly bird, which we called Ptarmigan (. . .  the week) but which I was really . . . , and 3 boiled eggs each.  After dinner L & S went for the short strole having most of our clothes dried by now.  On out return M was curled up on one of the beds in upper room.  L & S turned in shortly afterwards about 8.15.  Subsequent events are probably best told by following programme. ( By the way I took lower room).  8.15 - 35 or so try & get more or less comfortable, a somewhat difficult business owing partly to a scanty wardrobe partly owing to extremely hard & queerly furnished bed.  8.40 Nearly sleep, soon wide awake again, apparently all the dogs of the neighbourhood aided & encouraged by villages are holding high tourney just under the window.  8.45 Begin to feel tickley.  8.46 more tickley.  8.48 so so more dog fights.  The programme continues like this till about 11.30pm when I sing out to L & M and get a reply that they each feel like one large itch.  Query what can it be?  The beds have been examined and found delightfully clean.  Renewed grownings and tossings from upper room.  I suggest spots due to poisoning brought about by cockidly birds, or was it due to lack of accustomed ablutions.  Finally to cut a long story short at 1am Loughlin found an unmistakable cause, ripped off blankets sheets, exposed mattress found thriving population, similar discovery in other beds.  What's to be done, so far 5 hours Hell, no sleep.  Try floor, the brave M sticks to his sheepskin rug, not so remainder.  After a cold, hard & I regret to say scratchy hour or so spent on floor, L & I take two chairs each & sit & smoke & yarn till 6am. our room & food cost us 10 drachmas all over.  The above mentioned intelligent inhabitant arrives about that hour with coffee & hard boiled eggs, having previously offered to guide us to the monastery. Having caught a few of the livestock we set out feeling remarkably merry & bright we leave our torture chamber and ascend rocky & steep path up the hill.  The dawn is breaking as we start about 6.40 and we are just in time to see O' 'ihos rise as we reach the top of the first ridge.  A fairly strenuous & rocky & very pretty climb brings us to the little monastery perched on top of the hill by about 8.30am.  Now about half an hour here during which we gaze in wonder and rapture at the view.  On the West & North the sea stretching away to the distance.  To the Eastward the snow capped mountains of Epirus, with a whole valley filled with low lying cloud making a beautiful picture.  Next we partake of some coffee made by the monks only two of whom are visible ( one clad in an old military greatcoat, the other in what looks like a paid off dressing gown) & a most delicious glass of water "pure from the crystal spring".  We now descend via Glypho and most precipitous & hard descent which takes us from about 9.30 till when we once more reach the sea level.

Tuesday 5th December 1911

To cut a long story short we had a top hole bath at the bottom and then walked back to Corfu arriving on board about 5pm.  Yesterday I walked out to the Akhillion & back with Heneage.

Thursday 7th December 1911

2nd day of sailing regatta.  Drifting match all forenoon, finally given up.  2nd day on.  Blom placed in durance vile for missing quarters for nth time.

On the 14th December 1911, Amundsen reached the South Pole ahead of Scott.

Sunday 10th December 1911

Sailing regatta was tried again on Friday and leading boats got round though there wasn't much wind.  Goldsmith won the C. in C.'s cup in 2nd whales amidst a scene of wild enthusiasm.  On Saturday there was more sailing the Friesta Cup in forenoon also won by Goldsmith, and Beresford cup for midshipmen in the afternoon.  A mail arrived today by which we see that we have 9 midshipmen appointed.  Father Bray and the clerk (Duggan) left the ship on Friday to visit San Salvatore.  They arrived arrived safely but Father Bray started back alone leaving the clerk at the top to take some photographs.  Apparently they had a guide who lead Father Bray to the edge of a precipice & then producing a murderous looking knife, demanded the reverend gent's gold watch & chain.  There was apparently no alternative.  He telephoned to the police at Corfu from Spartilla and now the soldiers are scowring the country side for this desperate brigand.

Saturday 16th December 1911

Nothing much has occurred this week.  I have been for two or three good walks either alone or with Heneage.  Father Bray's brigand was captured on Wednesday, and was examined by the local magistrate yesterday.  They say he will get between 10 and 20 years, which sounds a lot.  However the prisoners here don't don't have to do any work.  Their cells are opened at sunrise and shut at sunset.  During the interval they are free to wonder about the yard, and converse with their brother jail birds, or else with stray passers by through the bars.  They get 2d a day and a pound of bread from the government, besides anything they make selling trifles to people passing through.  Father Bray's brigand was apparently overcome with remorse and left all the stolen gear on the altar of the village church.  Apparently he was seen in Father Bray's company by a woman who gave him away to the police.  They have a curious custom here; whenever a member of the community does anything bringing down disgrace upon his friends, the priest calls everyone into the church and solemnly curses the miscreant and all his belongings.  I hope to go shooting tomorrow for which purpose I have borrowed Wharton's cartridge bag & 33 cartridges.  Last night we had some boxing at which I was one of the judges.

Monday 18th December 1911

Landed at 5.30am yesterday and started out in a rather ancient motor with Brodie & Forrester of the Swiftsure.  The party also consisted of Lingi an alleged keeper and Bella a white dog of uncertain parentage with the head of a retriever and the body of an enlarged fox terrier.  We had a delightful drive to Caisope on the extreme north of the Island.  We tramped about all the forenoon but saw nothing except a solitary quail put up by Forrester and bagged by Bella (of course I mean the other way about).  We found the car again about 1 oclock.  After a much appreciated lunch in a delightful situation we started back about 3.30 walking through a blank snipe marsh on the way.  Arrived on board about 6.30 after a very pleasant day though the sport was not all that it might have been.  The commander and No.1 had a very good day after rock pigeon off an island near here bagging 72 to three guns in the afternoon.  I arrived on board to find a letter from F at Linley Wood (Cuthbert's father, Maj. Gen. Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell CB RE, had presumably been visiting his elderly aunt, Miss Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell, at Linley Wood in Talke, Staffordshire).  Today I walked out to Gorind with Warren and inspected a Venetian arsenal or rather the remains of one.  Steamboats of the fleet have been engaged in mining operations.

Sunday 24th December 1911

Have had on the whole rather a dull week.  Have been on one or two short walks; and yesterday walked through Arcadia right into the long green valley and back through Canalia.  Thursday night & afternoon it was blowing hard & raining but it is quite fine again though colder, & there is more snow on the Albanian hills.  A small steam yacht came in yesterday with three wild pigs & a deer hung over the side.  According to the latest advices we are going back to Malta on Tuesday.

Friday 29th December 1911, Malta

We had quite a peaceful Christmas at Corfu, which I celebrated by keeping a 1st day on.  We left on Tuesday evening and were to have carried out 24 hours at war stations.  However this was cancelled owing to bad weather.  We had an extremely uncomfortable passage.  I had middle watch one night and morning the next.  We arrived here (Malta) about 11.00am yesterday, having found Lyddite at Filfla about 9.00am.  I dined at club last night with Brodie, Denison, Kilnour, and Westall, of the Swiftsure.  Have not yet heard about P's exam.

(P is probably a reference to Pincher, which seems to be a nickname for Cuthbert's brother, Martin Frederick Heath-Caldwell, who attended the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich in 1911).

Tuesday 2nd January 1912

Had 2nd day on on New Years eve, which I spent as quietly as circumstances would permit.  Yesterday Wharton & I knocked polo balls about on the Marsa.  We intend to play in club game tomorrow.

Saturday 6th January 1912

Wharton & I played in out first club game on Wednesday.  I rode Iron Juke in first chukka as Mulberry played the fool, and rode Mulberry in the second.  I played on same side as Diggle which was rather unfortunate as he made himself rather objectionable.  Thursday & Friday were my days on.  We coaled ship yesterday taking in 700 tons at an average of 496 tons per hour, which I believe constitutes a record.

Saturday 13th January 1912

Weather was too bad for polo on Monday as a Westerly gale blew half the ground away.  Wednesday it was raining but I played two chukkas yesterday.  Have been down twice before breakfast, find the Iron Duke rather slow after Mulberry.  Telegram from Pincher (Cuthbert's brother Martin) on Wednesday to say that he has passed second into Woolwich.  Supped with the Horniblows on Sunday, in company with Brodie.  He left Malta the next day to join Arragrant for submarines.  Went out for steam trial in Chelmer yesterday.  They ran short of water on the way back and had to draw fires in three boilers & use salt water in the other. 

In the evening dined in the club & afterwards went on to the Duncans Show at the opera with Thomas.

Tuesday 16th January 1912

Sunday & Monday on.  Arranged for Max to keep my afternoon yesterday but was stopped by rain.  New orders out re watch keeping re the W. business.  Extremely annoying.  Portland is sick & consequently more objie than usual.  Docked yesterday forenoon.  Received letters from Father at Cairo, also from Vigo (Vigo Farm in Holmwood, Surrey, was Cuthbert's parents house before his father inherited Linley Wood in Talke,Saffordshire, in 1913).

Saturday 20th January 1912

Played two excellent chukkas on Wednesday, went to club dance in the evening which struck me as being rather rot, very crowded so came away early.  We started coaling 8.00am on Thursday and did another worlds record(!) 512 tons per hour.  Played hockey on Thursday afternoon against Egmont, we were badly beaten.  Our team consisted finally of snotties, 14 of whom joined on Tuesday.  Friday W. court martial took place.  He got off with a reprimand being acquitted on one charge & found "partly" guilty on the other.  Some of the cross-examination was rather unpleasant. 

Friday 26th January 1912

Played tennis at Marsa with Loughlin.  Monday ground unfit no club game.  Rehearsal of lining streets for King etc.  Tuesday ground unfit, hit polo ball about. Wednesday Medina arrived in forenoon & fouled her moorings with propeller.  Full dress most of the day; half an hours practice on polo ground before darkness.  Arrived on board about 6.30 just in time to lay out our bower anchor for Medina. As soon as it was let go (quite successfully) they discovered that it was not wanted.  Took exactly 35 minutes to arrive on the scenes.  Thursday, first day on fairly quiet time.  Ships dressed & illuminated on both occasions.  Four Frenchmen dined on board (from destroyers).  Rig full dress.

Monday 1st February 1912

The Medina & escort left on Saturday forenoon, the French fleet left in the afternoon.  Wharton & I rode out to Alte Veechia to tea.  On Sunday I called on the Haynes at 4d Piazza Miratore where I met several people, mostly confirmed "social pests", and then went on to supper with the Horniblows.  Ordered some oranges to be sent to Vigo.  We left Malta at 11am on Monday in company with the rest of the battle fleet.  We ran into bad weather on Monday evening with a rapidly falling glass and head wind.  The weather moderated on Tuesday evening but got worse in the night & there was a heavy sea all Wednesday, and we were battened down most of the day.  It cleared up towards evening and I had a most enjoyable evening watch in the bright moonlight, not cold enough for a great coat.  P was sick and sleeping aft, so the whole bridge brigade were soon puffing away at their pipes right merrily.

Thought out in morning watch in Engine Room by Xim

Winston dear, listen here.

We don't like the sea when its wet.

Twixt two buoys we make a noise 

Blowing our big trumpet

We can coat ship & get out nets

And shine in our social set

We're all swank at Malta

But - we don't like the sea when its wet.

Wednesday 7th February 1912 Vigo (Spain)

We ran into bad weather again on Thursday evening and finally arrived at Gibraltar on Friday about two pm, when we prepared for coaling.  We started coaling about 8.30 on Saturday in pouring rain and took in 685 tons at an average of 345 per hour, which is looked upon as a record for coaling alongside.  However as usual there was a lot piled up inboard when we had finished.  We had a patant fuel lighter alongside port side.  On starboard side there were five brows rigged.  One to each part of the ship & one for marines.  Organisation.  One bay & a half of the shed to each part of ship.  8 men shovelling, 16 lifting and the remainder (about 50) carrying.  I called on the Maiyers at Woodlands in the afternoon.  We were to have sailed for Vigo at 7.00am Sunday.  This was put off on account of the weather, first till 4.30pm, and finally until 9.00am Monday.  We immediately ran into bad weather, falling glass North Westerly winds long sea.  Made St Vincent Tuesday morning glass rose a little without weather moderating much.  Started to fall again in evening (about 10pm) wind backed to South with heavy following sea.  Southerly gale & heavy sea with rapidly falling glass continued all day.  Heavy rain whole time, but made a very good landfall arriving off entrance about 3.45 in spite of the very thick weather.  Moored ship at 5.00pm.  Still raining.  Our mails gone adrift to Villogarcia but expected tonight.  Swiftsure hauled out of line yesterday to secure 7.5 gun adrift on mess deck.  It finally carried away ballveys, port & smashed up breech fittings before being secured.  Swiftsure also lost sea boat.  Cornwallis hauled out at 3.30am today with starting gear broken down.  At 4.30 Russell was told off to stand by her & now we hear that they have both gone back to Gibraltar.  Every ship hauled out of line on some occasion to secure gear. 

Sunday 11th February 1912

Thursday forenoon & afternoon 1st div HF consisting of 8 dreadnoughts and super dreadnoughts, also Atlantic Fleet 5th Cruiser Squadron and various attached cruisers. 

I landed at 1.30 with doctor and walked out at back of town about 5 miles.  We got wet through several & finished up the evening by waiting an hour and a half for the boat.  Friday & Saturday two days on, blowing hard with hail and rain.  Kept anchor watch most of the time.  Glass very low and unsteady.  Sunday 1st day off cleared up in the afternoon.  Landed with Wharton and went for the most delightful walk, to West of the town finally getting up into some topping pine woods.  On arrival on board at 6.30 discovered two large wholes in my trousers due to moth.  Inhabitants of country seem much superior in physique, morals and industry to their southern countrymen.  Vigo looks a prosperous little town and valley behind it well cultivated and populous.  They use granite slabs in their vineyards as props for their vines, in a way I have never seen elsewhere.  We were to have gone to sea tomorrow for PZ manoeuvres, mercifully postponed due to heavy sea outside.  German cruiser "Vineta" (cadets training ship) arrived this forenoon and anchored near Exmouth.

Wednesday 14th February 1912

Fleet did not go out on Monday owing to heavy sea outside.  Started at 1.30 and walked to top of hill near wireless station to Eastward of town.  Yesterday we went to sea and did two PZ's.  Drizzling rain and thick weather combined to make exercises uninteresting and uncomfortably.  Fleet has not gone to sea to day owing to thick weather.

Saturday 17th February 1912

Thursday and Friday my two days on.  Went to sea for PZ exercises on both occasions.  Weather is now fine with high glass and a certain amount of sunshine, moderately warm about 56°.  Read a rather interesting letter yesterday from Wharton's younger brother who is in the Shearwater.  It appears that one night in the first watch their propeller dropped off in mid ocean and they had to sail 400 miles to the nearest port (Acapulco) which it took them 14 days to do.

Monday 19th February 1912

Yesterday was a dead loss to the firm.  Lunched with W.J.B.B. in D of E and was not very favourably impressed.  Did not get back to ship in time to go ashore.  On Saturday got a letter from Miss Gore.  They have sold Yanditta on account of the land tax and intend to settle in Brisbane.  Have been reading two books about British Columbia, BC 1887 by Lees & Clutterbuck, and the New Garden of Canada by Talbot.  It sounds a charming country but I am afraid the service is not a very good education for it.  I fancy either about £3,000 capital or an income of two or three hundred a year is almost essential, also a certain amount of agricultural or business training or else some recognised trade, none of which desirable qualifications I can see much chance of acquiring at present.

Monday 26th February 1912 Malta

Arrived 10 miles from entrance at 2.00am this morning and entered about 7.30.  We left Arosa Bay on Tuesday afternoon in the usual rain-storm.  The weather cleared as we got down the coast.  We started 24 hours passage trial Wednesday morning.  By the time we got to Gibraltar I could carry my scuttle with ease and it has been open ever since.  We had a top-hole trip along the African Coast, sea like a mill pond the whole way.  Some ships-company boxing on Friday evening some of which was quite worth watching.  On arrival I found four letters, one from Mother & Father, one from Burma and one from Pincher (Cuthbert's brother Martin).  On the way down everyone had to write essays on how to take 18 dreadnoughts into action.  Of course some people seized the opportunity to write about 30 pages.  Smack started by a description of the battle of Actuim & so on down the ages.  My own effort ran into about four pages.

A propos of this essay, this is Xims contribution

When ever I tackle a fleet on the sea

My whole mind is bent upon "crossing the T"

Then pipe hands to dinner, so when at the guns

Their faces are smiling, their guts full of buns.

Line ahead or abreast or disposed on the beam

Such horrid confusion its like a bad dream

And visitors * watching it gloomily say

Lets hope we'll be safe in the Elbe on THE DAY.

Then we come to the signals, I know nought of flags 

So whether blue pendant or dirty coal bags

Are hoisted, to me the result is the same.

If its wrong, then the signalman gets all the blame.

With dotters and spotters I'd cover the ship.

And a man standing ready to give them the tip.

When the enemy's coming, that every one 

May be on the top line at the very first gun.

And after its over and well out of sight

The enemy's steaming full power in his flight.

Up lifting our glasses together we'd say.

To hell with all essays, we've carried the day.

* Wireless signal intercepted from one small German cruiser in Vigo (Spain) to his friend outside.  "British Home & Atlantic fleets arrived, wish I was safe in the Elbe"

Saturday 1st March 1912

Tuesday & Wednesday were my days on.  We came alongside the wall on Wednesday, but I believe our refit does not actually start till next Monday.  I have had two letters from Father & Mother neither of which I have answered so far.  On Wednesday and Thursday & this morning I went down to the Marsa to hit about before breakfast, played to chukkas in club game on Monday and yesterday (Friday).  Rode "Blackbird" rather weedy looking dark chestnut pony.  Tomlyn wants me to buy him, he wants £18.  Apart from his looks he seems to me to be alright.  Drove back from the Marsa yesterday with Norton.  He talks the devil of a lot, but I fancey he is really quite ignorant of the subject anyway he can't play.  Dined at St George's last night with Gardner late of my term now 2nd Lieut in the Gloucester Regiment.

"Money has less to do with happiness than health has and simplicity" (Mr Inglinds by EV Lucas).

Sunday 2nd March 1912

To the Marsa before breakfast, yesterday & today.  Backhand is improving.  Read over Bemerton's the other day.  Am now reading Mr Inglinds, both by EV Lucas.

Tuesday 5th March 1912

Monday.  Range parties commenced.  Kept a day on from 8.30, & first watch.  This morning to the Marsa before breakfast.  Kept standby day on.  Spent forenoon & most of afternoon getting down foreyard.

Saturday 9th March 1912

Day off on Wednesday.  Played 3 chukkas on Mulberry & Blackbird.  Both days striking topgallantmarks & having topmarks.  Friday & today days on.

Monday 11th March 1912

Day off yesterday.  Walked round about 4 oclock and spent an hour at the club.  Met Oswald who is doing "tanky" in the Cumberland.

Ode to Tobacco by C.S. Calverley.

Thou who, when fears attack

Bidst them avaunt, and Black

Care, at the horseman's back

Perching unseatest.

Sweet when the morn is gray

Sweet when they've cleared away

Lunch, and at close of day

Possibly sweetest.

I have a liking old.

For thee though manifold

Stories I know are told.

Not to thy credit

How one (or two at most)

Drops make a cat a ghost

Useless except to roast

Doctors have said it.

How they who use fusces

All grow by slow degrees

Brainless as chimpanzees

Meagre as lizards.

Go mad, and beat their wives

Plunge (after shocking lives)

Razors and carving knives,

Into their gizzards

Confound such knavish tricks!

Yet know I five or six

Smokers who freely mix

Still with their neighbours

Jones (who I'm glad to say, 

asked leave of Mr J)

Daily aborts a clay.

After his labours

Cats may have had their goose

Cooked by tobacco juice

Still, why deny its use,

Thoughtfully taken.

We're not as tabbies are

Smith, take a fresh cigar

Jones, the tobacco jar!

Here's to thee, Bacon!

A Cambridge tobacconist

To-Day (T. Carlyle)

So here hath been dawning

Another blue day.

Think wilt thou let it.

Slip useless away.

Out of eternity

This new day is born

Into eternity

At night will return

Behold it aforetime

No eye ever did

So soon it forever

From all eyes is hid.

How hath been dawning

Another blue day

Think wilt thou let it 

Slip useless away.

Wednesday 13th March 1912

Monday & Tuesday on.  Hope to play pols today if I can get away.  Owing to the fetish of having two Lieutenants on board in addition to the Commanding officer it becomes increasingly difficult to get shore leave at all.  Up till today there has only been 3 watch keepers on board including Marine Lieutenant.  He for some obscure reason is not allowed to count as one of the two Lieutenants.  The ship is just about as uncomfortable as she can possibly be.  Thank god that old swine Weymouth has been promoted.  I think it very unlikely that out new Captain can be more objectionable.  Letters from Redlands & Vigo this morning. (Redlands, also in Holmwood, was the home of Cuthbert's grandfather Col. Henry Helsham-Jones. Vigo was the home of Cuthbert's parents).  Have had one day off in the last five days.  Another reform that I consider is badly needed is that arrangements should be made for officers & men to live out of the ship whilst refit is going on.

I remember I remember

before I came to sea.

I used to think the livelong day

What a fine life it must be.

How nice to wear that clothing

gold lace and buttons brass.

But now I'm filled with walking

Is such a useless farce.

For now I been at sea Sir

For seven years or more.

I hate the ship I've got

I want a job ashore.

Thursday 14th March 1912

Played in Naval game in afternoon.  Four chukkas, two on Blackbird and two on Acrobat.  

I was rather disappointed with my performance but the whole game was decidedly faster & better than the ordinary club chukka.  Joined Garrison Library for a month.

Extract from "The Horse & His Rider" (by Sir Francis Head, 1860) on how to eat - drink forstanding.

"To enable themselves however to ascertain this amount, it is necessary for them to put into a pair of scales to be accurately weighed against each other the enjoyments of temperance & the sorrows & anguish of intemperance.  If on doing so, they ascertain that the balance is in favour of eating, drinking & tobacco smoking ad libitum, they will act wisely in indulging in all three to the utmost possible extent.  If on the contrary they ascertain that some of these pleasures last a few seconds only, some for a few minutes and none for more than one or two hours, while on the other hand the afflictions caused by intemperance endure for months & years: that felo de se they put an end to hunting, spoil cricket, stop shooting; & last but not least ruin not only bodily but intellectual enjoyments they will act wisely to befriend themselves as they befriend their horses, namely by prescribing for all and each an ample quantity of food of the very best description and if more be required by a greedy stomach, the MUZZLE."

Monday 18th March 1912

Played tennis on Friday.  Days on Saturday & Sunday.  Played 4 chukkas this afternoon, but without much success.  Heard yarn today as follows: When we were up at Vigo, we intercepted a wireless signal from Vineta in Vigo to the other German cruiser in Arosa Bay.  "30 English ships left today, wish I was safe in the Elbe".

Thursday 21st March 1912

On Tuesday I played tennis with Wharton, Ward & Bremner.  In the evening Gardner dined with me.  Before he left he gave me three (no doubt priceless) tips for Saturday's races. 

I spent Wednesday forenoon playing rackets with the marker.  There was no polo as owing to most of the soldiers doing battalion training there were insufficient names down.  So I played tennis in the afternoon with Ward, Bloomfield and two snotties Brown and Langhorne.

In the evening I went to a small dance at the Castile which I thoroughly enjoyed.  There I met Brig Gen & Mrs White, Captain & Mrs Butterworth, Mrs Lupton and some others.

A terrible bombshell has come out with the estimates, big Med battleships are to be based at Gibraltar. 

Thursday 28th March 1912

Did not play polo on Monday owing to insufficient names.  On Tuesday at about 7.30am, as Truumph was being docked I left Valletta in the tug "Cracker" bound for Marfa.  Capt Tysrwhit of Good Hope was in charge of the operations which were to transport 750 officers and men of the Gloucester Regiment, 5 field guns (15 pounders) with their crews and 30 mules & attendants together with sections of R.E. and R.A.M.C.  The flotilla consisted of one picket boat from Triumph, Lancaster and Good Hope, the harbour service steamboat Adelaide and the D.D.S.B.  These boats with the exception of Good Hope's picket boat which was kept for Captain Tyrswhit & a large (& to my mind useless staff) each towed one section.  The first section, Triumph's picket boat (Lt. Bloomfield) towed four horse boats containing guns & gun's crews.  The others divided up 10 large and 5 smaller Gozo boats between them.  We arrived at Marfa about 9.30, where Gozo boats etc were taken in tow and after a rather lengthy delay were finally grounded as close to the beach as possible.  The length of the beach being about 100 yards mostly sand with a certain amount of soft seaweed. 

The beach party was organised roughly as follows.

Beach Master Commander Fullerton

Assistant Beach Master Lieut Goldsmith & myself.

About 20 PO's and men armed with heaving lines.

Besides this each Gozo boat & a leading hand and 3 or 4 men in addition to the Maltese crew, and each horse boat had a PO & 4 hands.  The Gozo boats were provided with gangboards about 10 to 15 feet long but they were not of much assistance.  An improvement would be either to arrange a stage over the bows, and have really long stages (such as are used for coaling along at Gibraltar) or else have several jumping ladders over the sides for soldiers to jump in by. As it was there were many funny sights, soldiers crawling up the gangboards & falling off into the ditch.  Most of them were wet pretty well up to the neck by the time they were embarked.  About 75 officers and men were embarked in each big Gozo boat, where mules were carried, 10 mules & about 25 men.  There was a good deal of difficulty in getting them to beach their boats properly, because the sailors in the boats were not a good success.

The mules were slung up by means of a tackle from each mast and an outhaul to keep them clear of side of boat.  This mule business caused a good deal of excitement.  The last one in who strongly objected to the sling was finally secured by a subaltern of the Glosters & myself, with the help of a boat hook, but not until he had half drowned several people.  The actual embarkation was commenced about 10.45 and finished about 1 oclock.  The flotilla then steamed slowly across to Gozo past the island of Comino where they disembarked the troops in Cortintal bay without much incident, although a merry party diving in the mud with water up to their armpits for a bayonet was not without its comic side.  The soldiers then went up to Fort Chambray & Gozo boats etc were moored near the jetty whilst the little flotilla of steamboats anchored within comfortable distance of the beach.  Goldsmith was unexpectedly told off to remain in charge of the boats & I volunteered to stay as well, though I had had quite a narrow escape of having to return in the Cracker with the nuts.  Needless to say we had a splendid picnic.  The whole party in addition to the boats crews consisted of:

Goldsmith, C.inC.

Smart (of Bacchaste), Captain of D.D.S.B.

Bloomfield, Captain of our picket boat

Harden, Captain of HMS Adelaide

And two subs in charge of the Good Hope & Lancaster's picket boat.

Some of us walked up to Victoria (about three miles) in the evening.  It is one of the highest points of Gozo & we had a superb view, being able to see Sicily quite distinctly.  We returned on board about 7.30 and partook of a most excellent supper of which fried eggs were the piece de resistance.  After dinner we all adjourned to the DDSB at which port & the weather were discussed till about 10pm when everybody got very sleepy & so home to bed.  Goldsmith slept in DDSB, Blom & I in the picket boat.  Considering the small amount of gear I had (one spare shirt, trouser, sweater & monkey jacket), I slept remarkably well though I woke up once in the middle of the night feeling a little bit chilly.  I spent most of Wednesday forenoon bathing etc though the water was a trifle cold.  As regards food we did very well, Stockwell the bowman of the picket boat being a most efficient cook.  Two soldiers friends of Blom came to lunch, Gibson a doctor & Pitman a sapper.  After lunch two groups were taken by MacDonald, Smart's servant photographer to the expedition.  Goldsmith, Blom & I went up to the soldiers mess for tea.  They have got a very nice house there with a nice garden, the whole place is hardly ever used and is rather falling into decay.  We told the Gozo boats to get into position for the return trip, which they did very efficiently without anybody worrying them.  About 6 oclock the Cracker was sighted and gloom settled on the countenance of everybody.  Of course directly they arrived, Captain Tyriswirt and the Commander accompanied by a large and to my mind unnecessary staff, the flap started in real earnest.  The embarkation started about 8.00.  As far as my part of the show was concerned, there was frightful chaos.  About 8 small dghaisas had been chartered to convey the troops to the Gozo boats.  There were strict orders that these dghaisas were to remain secured to the bows of the big boats, and were on no account to ferry them out.  I consider this a most foolish order.  Of course soldiers jibbed at it and my position became rather a different one.  However Tyriwhirt & the Commander came buzzing around and I shoved off in a skiff to talk to the crews of the Gozo boats.  When it was too late to be of any use the anti-ferrying order was countermanded.  The sailors in the Gozo boats did not rise to the occasion at all.  I consider a weak point was having the crews from a different ship to the officer concerned.  The mules were the last to be embarked.  We finally got away shortly after nine and commenced the disembarkation about 11.  As it was a dead lee shore and there was a gentle breeze blowing this part of the business went fairly well.  Two mules were nearly drowned but they recovered on reaching terra firma.  One of the house boats filled & nearly sank on the way back to Valletta.  We arrived back on board about 1.30am, Thursday morning.  A small dance was given at the club on Tuesday evening by a few officers of the Triumph to bid farewell to Admiral & Mrs W.  I believe it was a huge success, for which Maere deserved all the credit as of course everyone on board threw cold water on the scheme.  I of course being at Gozo could not be present but I invited the Butterworths & Luptons.

Thursday 28th March 1912

Rackets in forenoon, about 2pm to the Marsa, rode Jim & hit a ball about, 3.30 Rode Blackbird up to Coradeiro where we played Egmont at hockey.  We won but don't deserve much credit as there were not more than half a dozen Triumphs playing.  Afterwards rode back to the Marsa & then returned on board.

Friday 29th March 1912

Took part in a club game in the afternoon.  There were only three chukkas.  Rode all three ponies Jim, Blackbird & Bay Rum.

Saturday 30th March 1912

Before breakfast to the Marsa, but did not stay long as I have a very sore backside.  Two or three days ago in my zeal against f sharps & g flats watered my bunk plentifully with formalin before turning in.  Woke up next morning with part of my anatomy tanned.  Now feeling rather uncomfortable.  Have still got a beastly cold.  In afternoon played tennis with Paymaster, Warren, Mrs Phillips & Miss Conde at Sheins.  Rotten tennis, bad courts, was perfectly useless myself.  In the evening dined with Captain & Mrs Butterworth, 2 Piazza Miratore and afterwards went on the Royal Family by the MADC at Manuel Theatre.  Not a bad show but in my opinion thoroughly amateur. 

Navy beat Argyle & Sulhalass in Ships & Regiments tournament polo.

Saturday 31st March 1912

Day on.  Nuff said.

Dr RG Hill, Great Northern Central Hospital, Holloway Road North

This address was written at the top of the page, but there is nothing to indicate why?

Monday 1st April 1912

2nd day on.

Tuesday 2nd April 1912

Not at all a nice day.  North-Westerly wind.  Finally after endless trouble succeeded in getting Morant to play tennis.  As we were very late getting away we played at Sal Maison which are very bad courts & catch every breath of wind.

Wednesday 3rd April 1912

More bad weather.  Played tennis with Ottley, and watched the final of Ships & Regiments tournament (polo).  RN beat Scottish rifles by 8 goals to three.

Thurdsday 4th April 1912

Thomas came back from Tunis & went up to hospital in afternoon.  Played four chukkas in club game, rode Jim, Blackbird & Bay Rum.  Jim going well, Bay Rum not bad but Blackbird was hopeless.  Afterwards played a couple of sets of tennis against Warren & Wood.

Good Friday 8th April 1912

Luncheon with the Butterworths at 2 Meralots.  Too tired to play tennis.  Good Hope, Lancaster & Suffolk left for Villafrandie to attend celebration of Eutile in connection with unveiling of statue of King Edward VIII (who had died two years earlier, 6 May 1910).

Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th April 1912

Days on.

Monday 8th April 1912

Train to Cilta Vicchia & walked out to Gian, via Feagh.  After tea walked back to C.V. where I had dinner.  Afterwards drove back to Valletta.

Tuesday 9th April 1912

Played tennis at Marsa with Warren, Harlock & Evill.  Dinner on board with Wharton's people.

Wednesday 10th April 1912

Blowing North-Westerly gale.  Put my name down for polo.  Club chukkas did not come off but in spite of dust storm we raised an impromptu game. 

Thursday 11th April 1912

Lunch at 2 Miratore.  Found that Mrs B had forgot all arrangements about tennis which annoyed me considerably, but I hope I did not show it.  Finally played singles with her at Sal Maison.  In my opinion most detestable courts as they catch every breath of wind.  However they seem to be most extensively patronised by people who are too tired to go down to the Marsa.

Friday 12th April 1912

1st day on.  Sirocco.  Walked up to the Corradino before dinner when I observed a sportsman out after rabbits.  Bloomfield kept my first watch, whilst I went to Wharton's dance at the club.  It was quite a success.  I did not book any dances after about the twelfth.  Wrote to father during interval.

Saturday 13th April 1912

2nd day on.

Sunday 14th April 1912

Portland Bill left ship, & F B reigned in his stead.  At 1.10 clear lower deck fall in on jetty, Auld Lang Syne, Rolling Home and all the rest of the Tamasha.  Visited Thomas at hospital, afterwards called on Horinblows.

Monday 15th April 1912

Ground to hard for club game.  Knocked about and afterwards played tennis with Wharton & his people.

(On 15th April 1912 the ocean liner Titanic sank in the Atlantic on her maiden voyage with the lost of 1,513 lives)

Tuesday 16th April 1912

Racquets in forenoon.  Dance at Florian Barracks West Yorkshire Regiment.  Dinned with Mrs Butterworth, met Luptons (180 St & J Toeri).  Only item of interest succeeded in losing Mrs B's Catchkey.  Titanic lost by collision with Iceberg.  Tennis in afternoon.

Wednesday 17th April 1912

Eclipse of sun took place about 1.00pm.  No club game owing to ground being still too hard.  Knocked a polo ball about, Acrobat & Blackbird.  Telegram from Whitehall that Triumph is to proceed to England on completion of refit, and I am not sorry (because he is soon to leave Malta and head home to England).

Thursday 18th April 1912

1st day on.  Got Maxse to look out for 1st dog, but there was no club game owing to insufficient names. 

Friday 19th April 1912

Day on.

Saturday 20th April 1912

Rode in afternoon, dined at club with Maxse.  Telegram arrived on Saturday forenoon ordering Triumph to be home by 2nd May.  We were towed out to buoys in the afternoon.

Sunday 21st April 1912

Coaled ship commencing at 7.00am, all coal inboard by 11.30am, but not stowed much before five oclock.  Average 352.9 tons per hour amount taken in 1500 tons.  Supper with Horinblows.

Monday 22nd April 1912

Saw Goldsmith at hospital in forenoon.  P.P.C. cards in afternoon.  Dined club in evening.

Tuesday 23rd April 1912

Left harbour 8.30pm for Hellinda Bay for steam & anchoring trials.  11.30 dropped dockyard people and band off Grand Harbour, proceeded for England.

Wednesday 24th April 1912

Drizzling rain all day and a following wind.  Weather cleared up about 8.00pm, & night was quite fine.  Slept on shelter deck.  Kept afternoon & middle watches.  Passed Cape Bengut about 4.00am.

Thursday 25th April 1912

Fine day.  Sunny.  Passed Exmouth, Duncan & Russel steering for Malta about 11.00am.  Clear lower deck, cheer ship etc.  Usual exchange of complimentary signals.

Friday 26th April 1912

Falling glass passed Gibraltar in dinner hour.  North-Westerly wind rain.  

Saturday 27th April 1912

Slight sea, blowing North-Westerly wind.

Sunday 28th April 1912

Passed Cape Finistere about noon without sighting land.  Wind & sea moderating.

Tuesday 1st May 1912

Arrived Sheerness secured to No. 9 buoy blackstakes.  Kept morning watch.  Very cold coming up channel.

Thursday 3rd May 1912

Left Sheerness secured alongside in South Tidal basin.

Friday 4th May 1912

Took in 700 tons from trucks average about 150 tons per hour.  Went home for 48 hours (presumably to Vigo in Holmwood).

Sunday 6th May 1912

Returned to ship about midnight.

Monday 7th May 1912

Day on.

Tuesday 8th May 1912

Standby day on.  Got ashore for an hour, called on Biggas but found them out.

Thursday 10th May 1912

Paid off Triumph.  Proceeded to West Ham, due for 17 days foreign service leave.

Sunday 19th May 1912

Received appointment to Formidable.

Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st May 1912

Motored over to Redlands with mother, lunch at Vigo. (Redlands was the home of Cuthbert's grandfather Col. Henry Helsham-Jones, also in Holmwood, Surrey)

Wednesday 22nd May 1912

Telegram at breakfast "Join Formidable 9.00am Thursday".  Royal Navy all over.  Fed up.  Motor to West Ham.  Leave for Sheernasty 5 oclock train, arrive 9.30pm.

Thursday 23rd May 1912 (HMS Formidable, Battleship)

Coaling 1000 tons.  Start 9.00am finish 1.30pm Friday.  Keep two days on for a start.

Saturday 25th May 1912

Land in afternoon with P.M.O. walk to Minster.  Look over very interesting old church, shown over by fine old vicar.  Church built about 400AD I think.  Tomb of Robert of Shearland of Ingoldsby fame.  Two very fine brasses.  Most interesting.

Tuesday 28th May 1912

Proceeded to Margate and anchored about a mile off pier.

Wednesday 29th May 1912

Played tennis with soldier.

Thursday 30th May 1912

Day on.

Friday 31st May 1912

Friday afternoon left Margate 3.30 arrived home about 8.30.

Saturday 1st June 1912

Wet afternoon.  Aunt Harry & AVD arrived.

Sunday 2nd June 1912

Wet morning fine afternoon, left by 5.00 train.

Monday 3rd June 1912

Day on

Tueday 4th June 1912

Land 3.30.  Call on Captain & Mrs N.W.

Wednesday 5th June 1912

Go to sea, 1 inch aiming etc for night firing.

Thursday 6th June 1912

Ditto.

Friday 7th June 1912

Return to anchor off Margate am.  Walk to Minster with Padre, having landed 1.30.  Minster about 6 miles.  Ate large tea, strawberries & cream, price 1 shilling and 2 pence.  Very gloomy weather with rain last three or four days, thundery with sunny intervals. 

Saturday 8th June 1912

Day on.

Sunday 9th June 1912

Landed at noon, walked to Canterbury (18 miles), bread & cheese at Minster, supper at Falstaffe Inn Canterbury, which has one room supposed to have been built in 1400.

Monday 10th June 1912

To sea.  Range keeping exercises with Implacable or some rot of that kind.

Tuesday 11th June 1912

Tried to play tennis.  Rain. 

Wednesday 12th June 1912

Sea.

Thurday 13th June 1912

First half No. 2 firing, arrive Sheerness about 8.0pm.

Friday 14th June 1912

Left Sheernasty by 12.50 train for London.  Visited Scotland Yard re Taxicab dispute and I hope closed the matter.  Met Stewart at Broadwoods Conduit Street (Cuthbert's great aunt Ada had married into the Broodwood piano family) and went on down to Bone Hill where there was no one besides Aunt Ada and Stewart.  Spent most of time messing round motor bike, 1910 Indian 5H.P. which I took over, but could not bring down as Stewart wants use of it for another three or four days.  Left St Albans about 2.30, called at Eccleston Square but found them all out so came down by four forty arriving about 6.30 Sheerness.  

Sunday 16th June 1912

Stayed on board. Guard.

Monday 17th June 1912

Left Sheerness in company, Queen, Implacable, Antrim.  

Tuesday 18th June 1912

Evening anchored off Teignmouth, large fleet of nucloids.  Ripping evening very beautiful.  Heard from Wharton yesterday. 

Wednesday 19th June 1912

Torpedo firing then to Plymouth Sound.  Landed.

Thursday 20th June 1912

Coal ship 600 tons.  Rotten blighters, two pm leave for Bantry, four thirty put in to Falmouth to await orders, as owing to our priceless organisation, there are already 4 ships waiting to calibrate at Berehaven.

Friday 21st June 1912

Falmouth, Saturday 8.30pm leave for Sheerness.

Quotations

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rueleth his spirit, than he who takes a city.  Proverbs 16,32.

Answer not a fool according to his folly lest thou be like unto him.  

Proverbs 26,5.

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upwards, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downwards to the earth.  Ecclesiastes 3,21.

Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days.

Ecclesiastes 11,1.

Health and good estate of body are above all gold and a strong body above infinite wealth.  Ecclesiastes 30,15.

"that but for evil there were no good, as Victory is only possible by battle."  

Sartor Resartus.  T. Carlyle.

"Fit emblem of many a conquering hero, to whom Fate (wedding Fantasy to Sense, as it often elsewhere does) has malignantly appended a tin-kettle of Ambition, to chase him on; which the faster he runs urges him the faster, the more loudly, the more foolishly". T. Carlyle, Sartor Resartus.

Ideals first ambition may follow

"The years at the spring.

The days at the morn,

Mornings at seven;

The hill side's dew pearled;

The larks on the wing.

The snails on the thorn.

Gods in his heaven -

Alls right in the world"  R. Browning.  Pippa Passes.

"Its wiser being good than bad.

Its safer being weak than fierce.

Its fitter being sane than mad.

My own hope is a sun will pierce.

The thickest cloud earth ever stretched.

That, after last, returns the first.

Though a wide compass round be fetched.

That what began best can't end worst.

Now what God blessed once, prove accurst".  Apparent Failure.  R. Browning.

Sunday 22rd June 1912 

At sea Falmouth to Sheerness.

Monday 23th June 1912  

Arrived at Sheerness am.  Secured to buoy.  Went ashore at 1.30 and took possesion of 5hp Indian motor bicycle.  Trotted up to Chatham and called on the Bigges.  Had my hair cut etc. 

Tuesday 24th June 1912  

My day on.  Coaled ship taking in 170 tons in about 4 hours.  Large floating dock arrived from the Tyne.  

 Wednesday 25th June 1912  

Our guard, so had to remain on board.

Thursday 26th June 1912

Landed at 1.30 and motored to Smeeth to see Marion, also found to Holland girls there (the Hollands were possibly cousins).

Friday 27th June 1912

Started off to Maidstone.  Ran out of petrol 3 miles from Sittingbourne.

Saturday 28th June 1912

Day on & guard.

Sunday 29th June 1912

Landed at 9.30 and started off to B'stoke at about 10.45.  Arrived at 3.15 without mishap.  Father started off to Ireland in evening.

Monday 1st July 1912

Left home 3.30 arrived Vigo (Holmwood, Surrey) 5.15.  Left Vigo 6.00 arrived Sheerness 8.30.

Tuesday 2nd July 1912

Filled up to full crew (!) & left for Weymouth Bay.

Wednesday 3rd July 1912

Arrived Weymouth, joined up with vast & daminable fleet, started harbour watch keeping.  Day on.

Mileage Record

23rd June.  Sheerness-Chatham via Sittingbourne & back 38 miles

26th June.  Sheerness-Smeeth & back 70 miles

27th June.  Sheerness 28 miles

30th June.  Sheerness-B'stoke 108 miles

1st July.      B'stoke-Sheerness via Vigo 110 miles

26th July.  Sheerness-Sittingbourne & near Maidstone 30 miles

27th July.  Sheerness-Chatham & back 36 miles

1st August.  Sheerness-Sineleth & back 70 miles

3rd August.  Sheerness-Basingstoke via Redlands 110 miles

5th August.  West Ham to Bere Hill & back 27 miles

7th August.  West Ham to Pensford via Newbury 80 miles

8th August.  Pensford to West Ham via Warminster 80 miles

12th August.  West Ham  to Aldershot 15 miles

Clutch broke

779 miles

Thursday 4th July 1912

Day on

Friday 5th July 1912

Anchored at Spithead in company with a large fleet.  Asked to dinner by Uncle Herbert but felt too mouldy to inflict my company on them. (Cuthbert's uncle Herbert was Admiral Sir Herbert Leopold Heath, later 2nd Sea Lord)

Saturday 6th July 1912

Still feeling pretty mouldy.  The family arrived alongside about 3.30.  Dined with Uncle Herbert.  More ships arrived.

Sunday 7th July 1912

1st day on.  Luncheon aft in Cuddy.  Escaped about 3.45.

Monday 8th July 1912

Day on.

Tuesday 9th July 1912

Review for MP's.  Proceeded about 5pm.

Wednesday 10th July 1912

Nothing of importance.

Thursday 11th July 1912

Arrived & anchored off Queensferry south of bridge.

Friday 12th July 1912

Manoeuvres commenced.  May they soon be complete!  Now in three watches with afternoon kept.  Coaled on Friday night.

Saturday 13th July 1912

Second, third & fourth fleets arrived.  Went to sea about midnight & steered S6SE till about 5.0am, then about S20E.  Ran into thick fog about 4.45am, some very narrow shaves.

Sunday 14th July 1912

Letter from Burma last week, he is now at Katha Upper Burma.  Anchored in fog somewhere off Whitby.

Monday 15th July 1912

Got under weigh in afternoon.  My middle watch it came on thick about 12.30.  Remained under weigh all Tuesday at 6 knots.  Anchored about 9.30pm Tuesday. 

Wednesday 17th July 1912

Fog lifted.  Weighed at 4.00am.  Patrolled all day.

Thursday 18th July 1912

Sighted remainder of Blue fleet in morning and some of the Red fleet in afternoon.  4.30 Telegram from Admiralty operations over.  gq's no less than seven times during day. 

Lieut CR Sharp.  Pensfold near Chew Magna.  9 miles from Bath 12 from Bristol.

Friday 19th July 1912

Arrived Firth of Forth 2.0pm anchored South of bridge & usual wave to officers.  Half an hour later.  Raise steam ½ hours notice.  Hoist Blue Peter etc.  Two letters from Mother.

Saturday 20th July 1912

Left Forth midnight Friday.  Anchored in fog off outer Dowsing at 7.30.  Weighed at 10pm in compliance with orders from Queen anchored again about 10.30.

Quotations.

"Let be thy wail and help thy fellow men."  Tennyson, The Ancient Sage.

"I hold it true whate'er befall.

I feel it when I sorrow most.

Tis better to have loved and lost.

Than never to have loved at all."  In Memoriam XXVIII

Flower in the crannied wall.

I pluck you out of the crannies.

I hold you here root and all in my hand.

Little flowers, - but if I could understand.

What you are, root and all, and all in all.

I should know what God and man is.

A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.  Proverbs 18,24

The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.  Ibid 30.19

Polonius advice to Laertes

Look thou character, give thy thoughts no tongue.

Nor any unproportioned thought his act.

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar.

The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried.

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steal.

But do not dull thy palm with entertainment

of each new hatched, unpledged comrade.

Beware

of entrance to a quarrel, but, being in.

Bear't, that the opposed may beware of thee.

Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.

Take each mans censure, but reserve thy judgement.

Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy.

But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy.

For the apparel oft proclaims the man.

And they in France of the best rank & station.

Are most select and generous, chief in that.

Neither a borrower, nor a lender be:

For loan oft loses both itself and friend.

And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry.

This above all; To thine own self be true.

And it must follow, as the night the day.

Thou canst not then be false to any man.

Farewell: my blessing season this in thee.

Sunday 21st July 1912

Weighed at 4.00am.  Proceeded 14 knots.  Signal from Queen to take Irresistible under our orders and proceed so as to reach Portland 3.00pm Monday.  A very pleasant day, rising glass, my forenoon.

Monday 22nd July 1912 Weymouth

Arrived anchored in Portland Harbour about 8.30pm.  9.00pm commenced coaling from SS Pelica.  Took in 800 average about 140.  Most unpleasant owing to frequent heavy showers.  Finished about 2.00am.

Tuesday 23rd July 1912

After many contradictions rest of 5th BS, sailed for Torbay at 1 oclock.  

Landed with Dewar, haircut and walked to Spring head and back.

Wednesday 24th July 1912

Original order, weigh at 4.00am.  Next weigh at midnight.  Everything ready then ordered to sail at 8.00am.  Went to sea PZ all forenoon then in to Torbay anchored about 3.30.  As usual suddenly ordered back to Portland for night, Swines!!!

Thursday 25th July 1912 

11.30pm To sea carry out PZ.  Finished about four and & proceeded to Devonport to pick up a steam pinnace.

Friday 26th July 1912

Picked up steam boat at 4.00pm, & proceeded for Sheerness.  My middle watch.  Received orders to go to No.18 buoy on arrival, 4 miles from Sheerness, 3 from Chatham.  Hunt, Sharp & Pilkington left ship at Devonport. 

Saturday 26th July 1912

Arrived Sheerness, went to No.12 buoy just opposite Actaeon.  Took "Red fly" for trial trip. 

Sunday 27th July 1912

Motored to Chatham, drove out of Wouldham camp and had supper with the Bigges.

Lt. CR Sharp, Bellaton House, Pensford, Somerset (this address appears by itself).

Monday 28th July 1912

Day on.

Tuesday 29th July 1912

Landed about 5 till 7.

Wednesday 30th July 1912

Day on.  Wet & windy.

"A scene, where, if a god should cast his sight.

A god might gaze and wonder with delight".

Calypso's Isle.  Popes Odyssey Book V (Homer).

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor yet hath great riches".

Proverbs 13.7

"He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbours, but a wise man holdeth his peace"Ibid 11.12

"No it must oft fall out

That one whose labour perfects any work

Shall rise from it with eye so worn that he 

of all men least can measure the extent 

of what he has accomplished.  He alone

who nothing tasked, is nothing weary too,

may clearly scan the little he effects:

But we the bystanders untouched by toil 

Estimate each aright."Do they?

Parccalsus

"Give me the clear blue sky over my head, and the green turf beneath my feet, a winding road before me and a three hours march to dinner, and then to thinking".

Hazlitt "on going on a journey"

To be natural, to find our true life, to be independent of luxuries, not to be at the mercy of prejudices and false ideals - that is the true secret of life.

The House of Quet, AC Benson

Saturday 3rd August 1912

Sent my clothes etc by train & left Sheerness on motor bike about 10.30.  Clutch trouble near Maidstone.  Lunch at Redlands arrived at West Ham about 5 oclock.

3rd to 12th

Spent one night at Bellaton House near Pensford with Sharp.  Bicycle not pulling very well.  Very pleasant 10 days but it passed very quickly.  Came back as far as Farnham by mobike but clutch went wrong there so trained from Aldershot sending bike onto Clarke at St Albans for repairs.  Aunt May & A & Pinche were all at West Ham.

Tuesday 13th August 1912

Day on.  Left Sheerness for Portsmouth.  My application for RFC noted.

Wednesday 14th August 1912

Arrived Portsmouth 7.0am.  Left 1.0pm.  Large number of gunnery experts joined ship.

Thursday 15th August 1912

Landed & walked.

Friday 16th August 1912

Stepped ashore about two oclock and walked to Dorchester with Byron.  Ate an indifferent tea and came back by train.  After dinner had a long yarn with Plater about Australia and British Columbia.  Then read up my subject in the field before turning in.

Saturday 17th August 1912

Day on.

Sunday 18th August 1912

Went for a walk with Dewar a fairly fine day.  In the evening, wrote & applied for a ship in the Persian Gulf (a request that was granted in November).

Monday 20th August 1912

After two attempts two ships did battle practice.  A most vile & poisonous day.  Oh how I hate the sea, or rather the Navy, because the sea itself isn't so bad.

Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 August 1912

Firing each day.  Going to sea about 6am. returning about 7.30pm.

Friday 23rd August 1912

Coal ship from 2 Lighters.  400 tons, 100 an hour, usual delays, unpleasant weather.

Saturday 24th August 1912

Left Portsmouth for Ardrossan.

Sunday 25th August 1912

Weather better, quite warm in afternoon, had quite a pleasant middle watch last night.

Monday 26th August 1912

Picked up ITP at Ardrossan & arrived Lamlash in dinner hour.  Another cold snap.  My day on, but nearly everyone else went ashore.  Letter from Colles, SHB and MLG.

At the top of the page in the journal is a newspaper item, pasted in, extracted 

from Morning Post Wed 3rd Sept 1912

CANADA - A Young Gentleman of good character, aged between 25 and 30, desirous of obtaining 

a good knowledge of Canada with a view to farming or otherwise, can be received at once by a well-connected young English ranch owner (bachelor) in Alberta, free of charge, for board and residence, for a year or more, with a view to COMPANIONSHIP. 

For further particulars, address 8925, "Morning Post" Office, Strand, W.C.

Monday 26th August to 14th September 1912

Hell, rain, coaldust, and watchkeeping in equal parts.

Saturday 21st September 1912

We have completed our duty as counting ship and are now just off Folkestone, en route for Plymouth, where we turn over our passengers to the Irresistible.  Heard from Burne who wrote giving me all particulars of his present occupation in Burma.

Sunday 23rd September 1912

Arrived in Plymouth Sound.  My day on.

Monday 24th September 1912

Proceeded up harbour and coaled alongside dt Keyham.  1000 tons about 70 an hour.

Tuesday 25th September 1912

Took a day off.  Train to Yelverton, then walked to Princetown where I lunched at the Ducky Hotel and wrote a few letters.  After walked to Prince Hall and then to Tavistock from where I took train & Plymouth, a few sandwiches & an excellent glass of port at the saudest club.

Wednesday 26th September 1912

Left for Bantry.  At the last moment I had a signal from Goldsmith asking me out to Lawsand.

Thursday 27th September 1912

Anchored off Bere Id about midnight.

Friday 28th September 1912

Proceeded to Lea Hill with shore party.  Weather too bad for fire, but had a very pleasant day.

Saturday 29th September 1912

The same.

Sunday 30th September 1912

Went for a walk with Crace, & tea'd at Roadis, consumed a vast amount of bread & honey.

Monday 1st October 1912

Calibratis left in afternoon for Colonsay.

Tuesday 2nd October 1912

At sea.

Wednesday 3rd October 1912

Arrived at Greenock about 10pm and sent Commander Currie to Maine, (suffering from appendicitis).  Afterwards left for Colonsay.

Thursday 4th October 1912

Carried out in sub calibre in afternoon.  Then proceeded around the fleet with ratings.

Friday 5th October 1912

Carried out No. 2 firing.

Saturday 6th October 1912

At anchor.  Bad weather.  All boats hoisted in.

Sunday 7th October 1912

Went about 9 mile walk in afternoon with Crace.  Quite a pretty little island, with a certain amount of covert mostly small beech trees.  Saw about 10 grouse, 15 pheasants & 2 snipe.

Monday 8th October 1912

My day on.

Tuesday 9th October 1912

Scribuer shot all day and came back in evening with 4 brace grouse, and a couple of snipe.  Weather too bad for night firing.

At this part of the journal is an address written in presumably for reference

Miss KM Butt (Kathleen?)

c/o Messers King, Hamilton & Co, Calcutta

c/o CT Ambler Esq, Balaremi, Dharhara, El Railway, Bengal

Remainder of October and beginning of November oscillating between Bone Hill & Lamlash.

November 9th 1912

Left England's hospitable shores in P&O SS Palawan bound for Colombo (praps) and the Persian Gulf.

November 29th 1912

Arrived at Aden.  Marching orders on arrival.  My Lords and their organisation again - bless them.  Said Au & Euoie to little Kathleen.  Spent two days at Aden in the Salrette.  Nice lot of officers particularly Welch 3rd and Macraith the purser.  Arrived at Bombay on Friday morning and transhipped to B1 steamer Liza.  Arrived Karachi Saturday afternoon & transhipped to Dumra, very uncomfortable.  Passengers were Cowper paymaster of Perseus, four RIM (Royal Indian Marine) people, a gunner, Edmonds going to Consulate & at Bushire, three Frenchmen an Austrian & Rennie family.  Arrived Muscat on Monday morning & took over from him.

Tuesday 10th December 1912

Left Muscat about 9.30 for Kaish 300´.  Took deviation in evening and made 12°E instead of 120W.  Passed Perseus about nine oclock.

Wednesday 11th December 1912

Passed Qouis at midnight.

Thursday 12th December 1912

Anchored off Bistana 5.0pm.

Friday 13th December 1912

Rather an uncomfortable night.  Turned out about 2.30 by a heavy squall blowing dead on shore.  Got under weigh at 7.0am & anchored for night off Kais in 5 fathoms.  Boarded a Karachi dhow (boat) before anchoring.  Landed with interpreter & a shot gun, for pigeons.  Saw several but no bag.

Satuday 14th December 1912

Anchored off Terus about two thirty, & landed with Mr Bunyard & four sailors to shoot gazelle.  I got the only one.  As a matter of fact it was rather a hot shot 300 yards or so clean through the shoulder, but I missed several sitters.

Sunday 15th December 1912

6.0 weighed & closed Philomel, sent mail & drew slops etc.  Rigged up fishing anchored at Charak in evening where we met the Philomel's cutter with Davies Lt RIM.  Left at eleven pm on receipt of signal to close Philomel off Kais.

Monday 16th December 1912

Closed Philomed off Kais in forenoon, sent mail, & got signalmans (Wright & AB, Bradbury) back.  Anchored off Chiru about 3.00pm when Gordon (Pelorus Cutter) boarded us & stayed to dinner.  Sent some medicine ashore for Sheikh's cold.  He sent me off a fine pair of Ibex's horns in return & promised plenty of Ibex shooting.

Tuesday 17th December 1912

Left Chiru about 7.30am for Bistana.  Searched Dhow (boat) off Kolat which took about three hours.

Wednesday 18th December 1912

Met Minto off Bistone, coaled & got mail.  Only one letter from home for me.  Afterwards hove to for night between Ras Yarid & Fareur.

Thursday 19th December 1912

Uneventful day.  Only saw two dhows, hove to for night between Kais Island and Ras Yarid. 

Friday 20th December 1912

Anchored at Chiru and visited Sheikh.  A picturesque crowd of ruffians assembled there mostly with rifles.  Took Sheikh's photograph which seemed to please the old boy immensely.  He produced two ponies for self and interpreter with most uncomfortable saddles.  He also sent two guides mounted on one donkey.  No luck in shooting line as all we saw were five houbara and three foxes besides one covey of partridges.  Possibly might have got more with a shotgun.  On our return Sheikh accompanied by his two sons & a crowd of retainers visited ship.  He was much delighted at being allowed to fire the 3 pounder.

Saturday 21st December 1912

Weighed about seven and spent day steaming round Sheikh Shuab.  Stove to for night between Sheikh Shuab & mainland.

Sunday 22nd December 1912

Anchored for night off Kalat el abeid.

Monday 23rd December 1912

Intended to land at Kais, however we sighted Philomed at 7.30 chased her all the forenoon & finally picked her up off Charak when we received orders to proceed to Linga for Christmas.

Tuesday 24th December 1912

Landed at Linga in forenoon.  Pelorus, Philomel, Minto & Kooranja there.  Made my number on SNO (Senior Naval Officer) and Philomel, landed in afternoon & played tennis on mud courts.  Dinned with Commander Ballard, Philomel.

Wednesday 25th December 1912, Christmas Day

Mail arrived early.  Only one postcard from Kathleen, several letters from home.  Played football Miner & Karanja v Philomel.  Philomed won by two goals to one.  In evening dined in Philomel.

Thursday 26th December 1912

Alongside Minto 6.30 coal & water, nine oclock sees us thumping off to our beat.  Ran into a nasty Shamal (bad weather) outside.  Finally rolled into Mugu about 5pm.  Went away in skiff to watch mysterious lights ashore, three garfish jumped into boat on way off.  About 9.30 sighted Persian customs launch.  Run out of coal.

Friday 27th December 1912

Gave Persian launch 1½ tons to take them into Linga.  Afterwards hugged coast and stopped off Charak about 2.30pm.  Landed interpreter for vegetables etc.  Found Hill there in Philomel's pinnace.  Turned over the monkey to him, as the men are fed up with her.  Shoved off again at 7.30.  Hove to off Ras Yarid.  A lovely evening with only slight swell.  The moral effect of this powerful vessel backed by a cutter or two seems to be keeping the gun runners away.  Seen no signs of a rifle yet except for two very old ones carried by most of big dhows.

At this stage in the journal there is a simple map with some islands marked as; Sheikh Shuab, Hindarabi, Kais and Farus.  In addition there are coastal points; Mogan, Chiren, Kalat, Linga, Charak, Haisinah, Ras Yaris, Mugu, Duan, Bistane.  It can be seen on a modern day map that these are the islands off the coast of Iran opposite UAE.

Kais, Haisinah, Duan & Charak belong to Sheikh Mohammed.  My first whack of papers arrived by this mail, Blackwood Magazine, Daily Graphic, Spectator & Field.

Saturday 28th December 1912

Anchored for the night 10' west of Chiru in hope of some shooting.

Sunday 29th December 1912

Landed before breakfast with gun, rifle and interpreter.  Had a long walk and saw two partridges and two gazelle.  Missed a long shot at one of the latter.  And so to breakfast with a hearty appetite.  Drifted back to Chiru & landed again with no better luck.  Met Philomed after lunch, & was politely told to go to Mugu.

Monday 30th December 1912

Sculling about all day, spent night off Charak.  Hill dined on board.

Tuesday 31st December 1912

Spent forenoon searching dhow.  Met Pelorus in evening with our mail.  Repaired on board and got it in the neck for coaling Persian.  However I expected I know enough of the Navy to be certain that I was bound to do the wrong thing anyway.  Ordered unofficially to proceed to Lingah to square the matter off.  Hove to for night.  The usual services business of beer and bo bells at midnight.

Wednesday 1st January 1913

Arrived Linga in forenoon.  Saw Captain of Persian launch and squared off the coal transaction.  What a pity it is that we can't all be honest.  Also made my number on New the counsel.  After lunch weighed and proceeded.  Pat into Shinary and anchored about 3.30, owing to a convenient Shamal.  Mr Bunyard, Interpreter & I landed in hopes of augmenting larder.  Shot a fox.  Saw several coveys of partridges but they were altogether too wild, so didn't get a shot.  I think the only way is to engage a large staff of beaters & do the thing scientifically.  Observe that partridges do not fly down wind, in this case they all flew beam onto it.  Lost my dear old grey hat.  Sheroo bin Mohammed interpreter now acts in capacity of my servant for princely salary of 7 chips monthly.  Dear old Anton's brains really are not up to it.  Wrote to Stokes for football and Indian clubs also wrote note to Kathleen.  This month we have put in 2000 miles and burnt 50 tons of coal. 

Thursday 2nd January 1913

Left Shinas 7.00am & proceeded towards Yarid.  Hove to for night.

Friday 3rd January 1913

Arrived Kais about 11.30am.  Visited Sheikh Mohammed, and took his photograph.  He is apparently at war with Sheikh Sala of Charak.  When Sheikh Sala returned from Mecca, Mohammed went over to pay his respects.  Sheikh Sala say to Mohammed.  "Oh I see you no got plenty soldiers.  I give you two of mine for backsheesh".  So Mohammed returns to his Kingdom vastly pleased with a substantial addition to his army.  But the two warriors were previously told by Sala to assassinate Mohammed on arrival.  Unfortunately for themselves they take one of Sheikh Mohammed's men into their confidence, promising a "Sheikhdom" all to himself if he will help them to do the trick.  However this man remain true to Sheikh Mohammed and go tell him all about it.  Mohammed put two warriors in prision & presently go fight Sheikh Sala.

Saturday evening 4th January 1913

Shamal started about 3.30 so we put into Mugu bay, and anchored, although there was very little shelter there.  Benskin arrived in the Pelorus cutter & tied up astern.  We spent next day and night there as well, as coal was beginning to run short.  Monday afternoon saw the hook dropped in Linga.  The Philomel was already there and Pelorus arrived about five oclock.  We were to have left the next day but at the eleventh hour were told to wait for the mail which needless to say did not turn up.  Finally left for Basidu at four oclock and arrived in darkness at 7.30.

Wednesday 8th January 1913  

Remained at Basidu all day expecting Minto.  Coaled in morning.  In the evening rode out about 8 miles on donkey in company with Shikari.  Only saw one gazzelle and he was up off and out of it before we were anywhere near him.  However I had a little exercise, and as it was a lovely evening I thoroughly enjoyed the ride back in the dark.

Thursday 9th January 1913

Minto arrived about one oclock followed closely by Karanja.  Left for Muscat about 6.00pm.  We got our mail but no letters from Kathleen.

Friday 10th January 1913

A fine day.  Chased a dhow off Musandam, as usual no rifles.  Passed through the whole in the wall (Fak al Asad Straits) about 10am.  A fine day though hazy.  Took a lat by Polaris in evening but it was about 40 miles out.  Course for Muscat SSE ¼ E.

Saturday 11th January 1913

Sighted land about 10am on port bow.  Took a mer alt which gave fairly good latitude.  Sighted Fahal Island about four pm.  Altered to S so it was a fairly good shot.  Anchored about 6.30pm.  Perseus and Minto in Muscat.  Dined in Perseus.  Shamal came on about 2.00am followed by quite a heavy swell which made things rather uncomfortable. (Fahal Island is a large rock just off the coast of Oman near Muscat.  Although the waters surrounding it are full of sharks, it was a very popular for place for diving in 1984).

Sunday 12th January 1913

Rolling like devil all the forenoon.  Finally laid out a stern anchor which made things a little better.  Shifted back into berth ahead of Hour of Bahr about two oclock.  Afterwards landed with Boultbee of RIM and called on Major and Mrs Knox, then walked out to the green patch which consists of one or two gardens which are quite soothing to the eye.  The local method of irrigation is quite interesting.  They have the usual scaffolding over the well with a sheave at the top and a roller at the bottom.  An ox is harnessed to the end of the fall and as he is pushed down a steep hill cut by the side of the well, he draws up a goatskin full of water.  As he stops at the bottom the spout is released automatically and the contents of the skin fall into the well.

At this part of the journal there is an address written in, presumably for reference.

J Sequira, Photographer, Camp Studies, Karachi.

Monday 13th January 1913

Minto hauled us up but the rise & fall was insufficient to get at the propellor.  Stayed ashore with the Knox's.  Mail arrived.  No letters.

Tuesday 14th,  Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th.

Sent wire to K, c/o King Hamilton & Co.  No reply up till Saturday.

Friday 17th January 1913

Tennis.

Saturday 18th January 1913

Sunday 19th January 1913

Tennis.  Lunch with Dr & Mrs Little.  Shamal blowing. Miner headed off pm.

Monday 20th January 1913

Mail arrived.  Letters as usual from Mother & Father, also one from Pincher.  Parcels include two excellent books and a letter from old Wharton.  Minto's are most inefficient and useless crowd I have encountered up to date.

From Longfellow. Tact.

Intelligence and courtesy not always are combined.

Sometimes in a wooden house, a golden room we find.

Man like it is to fall in sin

Friend like to dwell therein

Christ like is it for sin to greave

God like is it all sin to leave.

No letters or communication from Kathleen.  I suppose I must consider myself another victim added to the long list of broken hearts.  No papers this week except the Outlook which is like the celebrated egg of the curate, but is too rabid.

Tuesday 21st January 1913

Tennis in afternoon.  Bought up half DeSousa's shop.  Dined and slept at Aganey.

Wednesday 22nd January 1913

Went off to ship about 10.00am.  No attempt made to rivet the rudder stops.  Put 14 tons of coal on focsle & rigged stage.  Two men sent over from Minto flatly refused to risk their valuable lives.  Made various signals and sent several notes to Minto.  Finally they sent Marsh & some hands over and kedged closer in.  Then I arose in my wroth & bearded the Father Christmas in his den.  He spluttered and fussed and sent for the Chief Engineer, and generally behaved in a foolish manner.  However as a result we got the Wolfson & his merry men over & they made a start at the job, so at any rate I accomplished something.  I am afraid the Minto's are not quite straight.  Landed for some gear & dined on board.  Glorious moonlight night.  It really is good to be alive on an evening like this.  Spent half an hour after dinner building castles in Spain, mostly centring around K.  Somehow I am certain in my heart that she is true to me, although I admit appearances are against it.  But there must be some terrible mistake somewhere.  Anyhow it will all work out for the best.  I am certain of that.  I sent another telegram to her today but there is no answer so far.  The Knox family have been very kind indeed, but somehow I am jolly glad to get on board again.  It is funny how one's ideas change.  Now if the Navy was all on a par with this, I should be the last to grumble about it,  - and so to bed - Ah Kathleen if I only knew the truth of this long silence.

Saturday 25th January 1913

Funeral of OS Goodall of Perseus who died of beri-beri.

Monday 27th January 1913

Mail arrived around 11 am.  Letters from Mother, Pincher, Pieko, Vere and one from K by the Indian mail.  Left Muscat about four pm.  Swung for deviation.  Hear that Perseus cutter has been missing for eight days

At this part of the journal are two addresses written in presumably for reference

Miss ME Gore, Indrim, Toowong, Brisbane, Australia.

Mrs Tufton, 7A Earls Court Square, SW

Tuesday 28th January 1913

One of the chickens laid an egg about lunchtime.  Came up with Musandam Island about 11.00pm.

Wednesday 29th January 1913

Course for Farur passing to Northward of Taub.  A strong current with us the whole time.  Passed through miles of fish spawn in forenoon.  Some large patches being like thick tomato soup and making sea bright red all round.  4.00pm met Espiegle, ordered to close SNO between Hindarabi & Sheikh Shuab. 

Thursday 30th January 1913

Closed Pelorus 9.00am.  Ordered to cruise between Chiru & Mogam to look for missing cutter.  Picked up Pelorus interpreter off Hindarabi.  Landed interpreter at Chiru.  Sheikh's idea seems to be that they have been cut up by Tanyistanis.  He has sent a man along the coast to look for any wreckage.

Friday 31st January 1913

Weighed at 6.30, and proceeded up to Sheikh Shuab.  Landed gunner and Pelorus interpreter on Shitwar Island and went myself with our interpreter to see Sheikh of Sheikh Shuab.  Seems a better class of fellow than the others.  Rather upset about Karanja's treatment of his brother.  Cutter was last seen in Mogam the evening of Sunday 19th.  Anchored off Nakhills quite a green spot in the wilderness.  Surf too bad to make landing worth while.  Mr Bunyard found cutters bottom board on island.

Saturday 1st February 1913

Landed in Morgam in morning.  No shooting.  Interpreter produced some eggs.  Afterwards anchored off Jazza, saw and chassed three coveys of partridges, bag nil.  Sailors landed with football.  A lovely evening, flat calm & a good sunset.  Heard three guns fired from Sheikh Shuab.

Sunday 2nd February 1913

Proceeded to Sheikh Shuab for news and also to find out why guns were fired.  No news of cutter.  Guns were only a salute for Sheikh Jbiahin on his return from Mecca.  Met Karanja and had a yarn with Blagrove.  Took over a chair & some beer that we had brought from Muscat for him.  Afterwards shaped course for Keza, as we have a man with a poisoned foot & a temperature of 102°.  Met Persius somewhere off Kais about 11.30pm.  Told to close her in forenoon off Sheikh Shuab.

Monday 3rd February 1913

Chased Perseus all forenoon.  Finally started coaling off Nakiules.  Heavy swell made it very uncomfortable, & we had to shove off before we had finished having carried away one awning stanchion, about 15 feet of out rubbing straks & Perseus sea gangway ladder, & one of our arial wires.  Heavy Shamal coming on so ran down to Chiru for shelter & to make good defects.  Met Karanja on way down & Balgrove & his gunner came over to dinner. 

Blowing like hell, but perfect shelter in Chirn.

Tuesday 4th February 1913

Turned out rather late; just about to have my bath when Sheikh Ahmed & his scoundrelly hangers on came off and stayed for 2½ hours, eating best part of a tin of biscuits, & hanging on to everything they could.  Finally shifted them on to Karanja.  In afternoon we all four went shooting first making our salaams to old Abdulla.  Mr Bunyard borrowed Ahmed's gun.  Plenty of Partridges on the rocky ground inland, and I had some very sporting shots.  No luck however.  Mr Bunyard got a Frenchman or as I maintain a species of francolin, & an Indian partridge.  No one else got anything.  Dined in Karanja.

Wednesday 5th February 1913

Weather moderated considerably.  Perseus arrived about 11.00am.  Karaija coaled first.  Afterwards proceeded slowly up the coast.  Mail arrived letters from Mother, A, Dewar, an unknown Christmas card, and all missing papers.  Bombshell from SNO in shape of request for routine of exercises carried out in launches.  All rot.  Photos arrived from Sequira.

Thursday 6th February 1913

Hanging about between Shuab & Hindarabi.  Met Blagrove and landed at Hindarabi to look for Partridges.  Saw none.  On my return found tide considerably lower than I had bargined for, and we only had 11 feet aft, while there were plenty of little rocks sticking.  Got under weigh and escaped without hitting anything.  Hove-to for night. 

Friday 7th February 1913

Anchored off Mogam, landed interpreter for provisions.  Swell & slight Shamal, rolling a little.

Saturday 8th February 1913

Night at sea.

Sunday 9th February 1913

Sheikh Shuab.

Monday 10th February 1913

Met Karaiya off Jazza about three oclock.  Balgrove, Mr Hartwell & I after partridges.  Several shots, Balgrove brought one down, but he proceeded to be a runner & we did not pick him up.  I brought back two doves.

Tuesday 11th February 1913

Anchored Chiru pm.  Karanja's dined with us.

Wednesday 12th February 1913

Perseus arrived pm.  Dined with McHardy.  Rotten mail.  Letter from Pincher & Grandmother.

Thursday 13th February 1913

Pelorus arrived paid December mess savings & January pay.  Coaled & watered.  Bought goat for natives 5½ rupees.