An E.Ref off Perseus being very ill. Doctors came onboard from Governola to consult with our doctor
& came to conclusion to take him back to Aden. This place very unhealthy for white men.
2nd Sats routine. At 9.30 weighed & proceeded towards Aden leaving Italian here.
3rd Sunday Weather very bad furled awnings owing to strong winds. Held Divine service 4 p.m. Arrived in Aden. Dryad here. Hawser foul of screw.
4th Divers cleared screw. Exercised General Quarters & man & arm ship. Prepared for illuminating ship. Cutters went to steamer that was burning. She had a cargo of china & jute for Liverpool. We fetched plenty of china aboard.
6th Landed small arm companies with party from Dryad. Boats away sailing
7th Exercised General Quarters. Fixed electric lamps for illuminating
9th Being Coronation Day it was kept as a general holiday. All ships dressed with flags. Church Parade on shore men landing. Spliced mainbrace. At 6.20p.m. undressed ship and lighted illuminations. Ship looked exceedingly well. Fired rockets occasionally (at noon we fired a salute of 81 guns)
10th Sunday. Divine Service. Italian warship Governola arrived.
11th Man & arm boats & ran torpedoes harbour run.
12th Usual routine. Out fire engine
Thursday 14th General Quarters & cannon tube
17th. Sundays routine. Divine Service held.
18th Cut Bower anchor for evolution. HMS Dryad left.
19th Run torpedoes harbour run.
20th Landed small arm companies for exercise �Mayo� left for Berbera.
21st Dryad arrived from Berbera with dispatches. Dryad left at 4pm for Berbera.
22nd Exercised General Quarters
23rd HMS Terrible sighted homeward bound from China. 5pm �Terrible� anchored in outer harbour. Largest vessel to pass through Suez.
24th Sunday. �Terrible� left for England 5.30 am. �Mayo� arrived. Divine Service Held.
25th Boats exercised at boat manoeuvres. Italian sloop �Vulturno� arrived. Indian Princess arrived in the P&O Persia bound for Bombay. Saluted Princess with 21 guns. Rained hard here, first time for several years.
27th Wed. Landed small arm battalions. Heavy marching order. Prepared for sea.
28th Left Aden at 7am & proceeded along coast, searched several dhows. 5pm anchored at Ras-al-ara on Arabian coasts.
29th 5am weighed & proceeded. Carried out half quarters firing. Acting 2Gs fired. At 7pm we dropped a target & carried out night firing. Weather very stormy.
30th Arrived & anchored at Berbera at 6am. Sats routine.
31st Divine Service. Prepared for target practice.
Sept 1st 7am HMS Dryad arrived. Reoported that she had been aground 26 last just outside here. Damaged her rudder. 1.45. Weighed & proceeded with Dryad & both ships carried out half quarters firing. 4.30 Dryad returned to Berbera. Perseus remained outside & ran two torpedoes sea run. Anchored in Berbera 6.30 pm.
2nd Diving party went down to report condition of Dryad�s rudder. Steam boat surveying harbour. Ran torpedoes harbour run.
3rd Court of enquiry held aboard Perseus concerning grounding of Dryad. 2.30 pm HMS Dryad sailed for Aden. Football team played 2nd Silko & beat them 3-0.
4th at 7am RIMS Mayo arrived flying the flag of HRH Ras Makonnen of Abyssinia, he was making passage on Mayo on his way home from the Coronation. At 4pm HRH Ras Makonnon & suite came on board to inspect Perseus, he was highly pleased, guns being fired specially for occasion. His Highness was allowed to fire a few rounds of maxim himself. At 5.30 he left & was saluted with 15 guns. After supper Football and recreation party & band landed. Exciting game played with the Perseus & 2nd Silks. The suite & HH & all Navy & Army officers in Berbera were spectators. His Highness was greatly pleased with the sailor�s antics. Result 1-1.
5th 6am �Mayo� departed. Exercise General Quarters. Torpedo party away mining.
6th Sats routine. Monsoon blowing. 5pm Weighed and proceeded along coast.
7th Sunday. At 8am Anchored off Hais. Dhows searched. Left Hais at 12.30pm.
