8th Boat sailing afternoon.
9th Exercised landing parties on shore.
10th HMS Dryad arrived from Berbera. Reported loss of a stoker, who was accidentally drowned at Berbera.
11th General Quarters. Fired Canon tube. Troops consisting of 420 Royal Dublin Fusilleers & Sappers & Miners embarked on RIMS Mayo. They were destined for Makalla on the Arabian Coast. They are to put the Sultan on his throne, his brother having took possession whilst the original Sultan was away. The Perseus was bound to play a part in it afterwards. Mayo left. Perseus awaiting arrival of Rear Admiral Drury in P&O Britannia.
13th Divine service held. Admiral arrived in Britannia
14th Left at 5.30 for Makalla. Cleared ship for action in readiness to bombard. Heavy seas encountered
15th Arrived Markalla RIMS Mayo here. Both ships proceeded to Ash-shehr. 11.40 a.m. arrived in Ash-shehr. Everything in readiness for action. Owing to heavy seas troops from Mayo cannot be landed. Ash-shehr is entirely surrounded with a wall & numerous forts, all being built of mud. Weather very hot. Mayo communicated with the shore & gave the imposing Sultan till tomorrow to give in. Searchlights being directed on the town all night to witness movements of natives.
16th Chiefs from shore went on board Mayo, who gave them till 1 p.m. to surrender, the alternative being the bombardment of the town by Perseus. 12 noon no surrender as yet. Seamen anxiously watching Sultans Palace for the Union Jack to be hoisted. 12.00 �action� guns loaded and trained on the town. 12.55 p.m. signal from Mayo that another 24 hours had been granted, as if possible the affair was to be settled without force.
17th Weather very boisterous, everything in readiness for action at noon. All hands eagerly awaiting events. Guns loaded & at 11.45 a warning shot was fired by the Perseus to let the Sultan know that his time was drawing on. General came on board from Mayo to superintend bombardment. A commotion was noticeable around the flagstaff & a Union jack was seen being hoisted. This was a token of surrender. 2 p.m. weighed anchor & proceeded with Mayo for Makalla. At 7.15 p.m. arrived & anchored. 9 p.m. Weighed and left with Mayo.
18th At 7.40 a.m. arrived and anchored off Balhaf. The place only consists of a fort & a few native huts, the fort flying the Union Jack. Boat went onshore to inform natives that our intentions were to demolish the place. The niggers all left the place with their belongings. We fired blank charge to be a warning to them. Natives refused to haul down flag. Small guns from ship opened fire followed by large guns. Place speedily reduced to ruin. Last round fetching down the flag. Firing ceased, troops landed from Mayo & finished work of destroying town. Everything was piled in heaps & burned. We then Weighed anchor at 12 noon & left Balhaf. We left the Mayo behind to settle up etc. 4 p.m. exercised General Quarters. A small cat was fetched aboard at Balhaf. The only thing what lived in the fort. We christened it Lyddite.
19th 1.30 p.m. sighted Aden. 2.00 p.m. arrived & anchored. 3 p.m. Mayo arrived & landed Resident and troops.
21st Boat execise before breakfast. Usual routine remainder of day.
22nd Boats away all afternoon sailing.
23rd Landed small arms companies for exercise.
24th Usual routine. Sent home invalids.
25th Excused General Quarters. Portuguese man o� War Siagael (Sao Gabriel??) arrived. Boat sailing with Mayo during afternoon.
26th Sats routine.
27th Sunday. Church ashore. Officers from merchant steamer came aboard and asked for 100 hands to assist as she was on fire.
28th Coaled ship 250 tons. Portuguese warship left at 4 p.m. We weighed & proceeded to sea. Experienced great difficulty in leaving harbour owing to strong tides.
29th Experienced very heavy weather, shipped heavy seas. Arrived in Berbera 12.30 p.m. Dryad in harbour.
29th Furled all awnings & prepared for target practice. Left at 4 p.m. & carried out half Qrtrs. firing at 6 p.m. HMS Dryad left for Aden.
30th Small arm drill at 11.30 a.m. Weighed and proceeded towards Laskhora patrolling coasts. Rough weather encountered.
31st Steamer sighted close to shore. Ordered her to proceed on her course, which she obeyed. 5p.m. Sighted Italian warship Governola. Both ships left together and anchored for the night at Banda Zaidar in Italian territory.
