Naval History Homepage and Site Search
Naval History Homepage and Site Search
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River Gunboat, Insect-class Ordered 2.15 as "China Gunboat" for service on Danube. Served elsewhere, Pendant Nos P.4A (1.16), P.82 (1.18). Launched 10.12.15 Barclay Curle. 645 tons, 237(oa), 230(pp)x36x4ft. TE 2000ihp,14kts, twin screws in tunnels. Armament: 2-6in, 2-12pdr. North Sea 1916-18, then White Sea. Sunk 21.12.41 by A/C, Hong Kong. (British Warships 1914-1919) |
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Notes: 1. Latitude/longitude, including for days in port, show representative decimal positions for each day, as calculated by the Old Weather project's analysis program. As such, they differ by varying amounts from the positions recorded, usually at noon, in the log pages. In addition, some latitudes/longitudes have been amended in edited logs for errors in the logs, for errors in identifying locations by the analysis program, or simply for greater accuracy. In all cases, refer to the log-page scans for the positions as originally recorded. Not all log pages contain this information and the ships' positions have therefore often been estimated. 2. Full account of any day is available by clicking on the link above that day. Groups of links refer to log book covers and introductory information; some may be blank. Editor’s notes: Because the text of the logs includes standard parentheses (round brackets), the editor has used the convention of using brackets ([ and ]) to mark his input. The use of [?] after a word or phrase will indicate that the preceding text is the editor's best guess at the meaning of the words in the log. Where a single character is illegible it is transcribed as a tilde (~) – a sequence of illegible characters is represented by 3 tildes (~~~). |
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THE VOYAGES OF HMS CICALA 1918-1920
(Maps prepared using Journey Plotter, developed by Maikel. The Plots can only be approximate. They are made by joining-up positions on successive days, and sometimes positions are not given. There will therefore be occasions when the ship appears to have travelled overland) LOGS FOR SEPTEMBER 1918 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-001_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e440: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-001_1.jpg) Copy of Log for September 1918. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by Francis Blessing, Lieutenant Royal Navy Reserve. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e441: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-002_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e442: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-002_1.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e443: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-003_0.jpg) Barometer: Aneroid. Maker: Pastorelli and Rapkins No.2621. Thermometers for air temperatures: Positioned in screen outside Chart House. Maker: Negrette and Zambra Nos. 2109 (august 1916 to present) and 2273. Thermometer for sea temperature: Metal scale patt. 58 IX When reading this log do remember that in September, Armistice Day is still several weeks in the future and that fighting is still on going in Europe. Though not recorded in this log, the service history of her one time commander, Captain Astle Scott Littlejohns, suggests that the Cicala was attached to the North Sea Patrol working the East coast between Humber South and Lowestoft at this time. This is confirmed by the Navy Lists that shows the Cicala was assigned to the “vessels under Vice-Admiral Commanding East Coast of England”. More specifically, she was part of the Third Submarine Flotilla where her balloon – intended for artillery spotting – would no doubt have excelled for submarine spotting. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e444: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-003_1.jpg) 1 September 1918 Bridlington Lat 54.1, Long -0.2 2.10am: Rounds correct. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Hands variously employed. 8.15pm: Cleared lower deck. Topped up balloon. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e445: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-004_0.jpg) 2 September 1918 Bridlington to Immingham: Lat 53.9, Long 0.1 Not the best day for the Cicala. First she almost loses her balloon then a davit is damaged as she enters the lock leading to Immingham’s dock! There are several locations known as ‘Roads’ around the UK like the Grimsby Roads referred to in today’s 1.50pm: entry. These are recognised anchorages that do not offer any shelter to ships that anchored up in one of them. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to Immingham. 7.30am: M buoy abeam. 8.00am: Altered course S10E. 9.30am: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 10.15am: Lost balloon in sea. 10.40am: Anchored off Spurn and salvaged[?] balloon. 12noon Distance run through water 52. 12.40pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 1.50pm: Anchored in Grimsby Roads to await tide. 4.35pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 5.30pm: Entered lock pits. 6.15pm: Carried away Port whaler’s davit on fender at lock entrance. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e446: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-004_1.jpg) 3 September 1918 Immingham Lat 53.9, Long -0.2 Immingham: is a commercial port that opened for business in 1912. However, the timeline at http://www.immingham100.co.uk/History/Timeline/ shows that the dock was home to a Royal Navy submarine base between 1914 and 1918. For that reason it is not surprising that the Cicala should be discharging sick crew and provisioning here. More surprising is that there seems to be an issue with the Cicala’s barometer. The equipment page at the start of this log indicates that it is only just over two years since it was fitted. 1.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Hands employed provisioning ship. 10.30am: Discharged three ratings to sick quarters, Immingham. 1.30pm: Hands employed provisioning ship. Barometer returned to depot for a comparison. 4.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 6.30am. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e447: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-005_0.jpg) 4 September 1918 Immingham Lat 53.9, Long -0.2 2.15am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Hands variously employed. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 12noon Distance run through water 11. 5.30pm: Left Immingham: Basin and proceeded to Spurn Point. 7.10pm: Anchored in Hawke Roads. 3 shackles in 12 fathoms. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e448: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-005_1.jpg) 5 September 1918 Hawke Roads Lat 53.6, Long 0.0 2.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e449: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-006_0.jpg) 6 September 1918 At Sea Lat 53.7, Long 2.1 No location is specified in the log for this day. The log is headed ‘At Sea’ and the ‘Courses’ column notes that the Cicala is ‘On Patrol’. The compass in front of the helmsman has 32 points (see the Wikipedia Arcticle Boxing the Compass) so turning through 16 points is the nautical equivalent of a U turn. When this text was prepared in August 2012 Clay Hole was still mentioned as an anchorage to use when waiting for the tide – see the places to visit page of the Wells Harbour website. NB In this transcription the ISO convention relating to the capitalisation of the names of units has been followed. Consequently, only units that are named after a person, such as Hertz (abbreviation Hz) have a capital letter, units like miles, shackles and fathoms are not capitalised. 2.15am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. 9.30am: Hands General Quarters. 11.50am: Turned 16 points round the F buoy and reduced to five knots – escorting ships. 1.10pm: Increased to eight knots. 12noon Distance run through water 103. 1.30pm: Port Watch variously employed. 2.10pm: Altered course to S45W. 4.15pm: Lynn Well Light: Vessel abeam. Altered course to S79W. 5.30pm: Anchored in Clay Hole 2 shackles in 4½ fathoms. 8.20pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-006_1.jpg) 7 September 1918 Clay Hole, Boston Lat 52.9, Long 0.1 1.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Hands make and mend. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 6. 6.00pm: Pilot boarded. 6.30pm: Hove up and proceeded to Boston Dock. 7.15pm: Made fast alongside Western dock wall and discharged pilot. 8.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 6.30am. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-007_0.jpg) 8 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long 0.0 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and oiling ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 10:25am: Landed Church parties. 10.45am: Completed with oil. 12noon Leave for Starboard Watch until midnight. 12:20pm: Church parties returned. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-007_1.jpg) Boston and Clay Hole Lat 52.9, Long 0.1 The 10:53am: log entry is significant. The Cicala was designed as a gunboat for operation on the River Danube and has appropriate design features for this purpose. She was flat bottomed, drew only 4 feet (1.22m) of water and had her propellers recessed in tunnels to protect them. The weather conditions do not appear to have been that bad. Her noon weather record shows that the wind is from the WSW. It is squally but the wind speed is recorded as force 3 to 4. The Wikipedia Arcticle on the Beaufort Scale suggests this means a maximum wind speed of around 6 to 7 ms-1 and a wave height of 1 to 1.5m. These do not appear to be excessive for a ship displacing 645 tons that is powered by twin engines capable of producing 2000hp. 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning Messes and Upper Deck. 8.30am: Pilot boarded. 9.00am: Cast off and proceeded out of dock. 10.00am: Hands variously employed. 10.37am: Discharged Pilot. 10.53am: Turned 16 points and returned to anchorage at Clay Hole. Wind and sea too strong for ship. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 26. 1.30pm: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 6.45pm: Pilot boarded. 7.05pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to Boston Dock. 8.00pm: Ship secured alongside S.S. Nimber. 8.15pm: Two ratings re-joined ship from Sick Quarters. 8.30pm: Leave to Port Watch until 6.30am. 8.45pm: Darken ship. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-008_0.jpg) 10 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Hands variously employed. 11.45am: 1 rating discharged to Royal Naval Depot, Immingham. 1.30pm: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 2.10pm: 1 rating returned from Sick Quarters, Immingham. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-008_1.jpg) 11 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 1.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.40am: Hands variously employed. 11.30am: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to RN Depôt Immingham. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 6.30am. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e44f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-009_0.jpg) 12 September 1918 At Sea Lat 53.0, Long 0.4 The 2pm: log entry gives us a little more information about the Cicala’s issue. The wind speed is recorded as rising from 3-4 at Noon to 4-5 at 4pm, so it seems reasonable to guess that the wind speed is around about force 4 when the Cicala turns and runs for harbour. What is possibly more significant is the sea condition being rough. It looks as if the Cicala’s issue is with the sea condition rather than the wind speed by itself. The words ‘ship straining’ suggest that the Cicala is distorting in the sea conditions – something that is possible as one online source suggests that the plating of the Insect Class ships was very thin. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 10.05am: Left Dock and proceeded to sea. 12noon Distance run through Water: 65. 12.15pm: Lynn Well Light Vessel abeam. Altered course N50E. 2.00pm: Wind and sea increasing ship straining; turned 16 points around Z buoy and returned to anchorage. 6.20pm: Anchored in Clay Hole 2 shackles in 4 fathoms. 8.20pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e450: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-009_1.jpg) 13 September 1918 Clay Hole Lat 52.9, Long 0.1 The Cicala sits the day out at anchor; presumably while her Commander waits for the sea conditions to improve. 2.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Exercise Action Stations and Control. 10.15am: Both Watches employed as requisite. 1.30pm: Hands fall in and employed as requisite. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e451: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-010_0.jpg) 14 September 1918 Clay Hole and Boston Dock Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fell in. Employed cleaning Mess Deck and carrying out Saturday routine. 11.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to Dock. 12noon Distance through the Water: 6. 12.30pm: Made fast alongside Jetty in Boston Dock. 12.45pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch until 6.30am. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e452: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-010_1.jpg) 15 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 1.40am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed oiling and cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 10.00am: Landed Church Parties. 11.45am: Church Parties returned. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e453: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-011_0.jpg) 16 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands variously employed. 11.30am: 1 rating (Petty Officer First Class) discharged to Sick Quarters, Immingham: Depot. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 6 1.30pm: Hands employed preparing ship for sea. 4.00pm: Cast off from Jetty and proceeded into lock. 4.30pm: Proceeded to buoy in Clay Hole. 5.08pm: Finished making fast to buoy. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e454: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-011_1.jpg) 17 September 1918 Clay Hole, Boston Lat 52.9, Long 0.1 2.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 1.00pm: Water boat arrived alongside. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e455: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-012_0.jpg) 18 September 1918 At Sea Lat 53.0, Long 0.5 At last the Cicala escapes from Clay Hole and Boston. But it does seem extraordinary that she appears to be unable cope with the wind and sea conditions she has encountered in the Wash! 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Mess Deck and Upper Deck. 9:40am: Cast off from buoy and proceeded on patrol. 12noon Arrived on Wa~ channel. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 103. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 2.21pm: Turned 16 points to Port off G buoy. 6.45pm: Anchored in Boston Deeps [at] 3 shackles in 9 fathoms. 8.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e456: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-012_1.jpg) 19 September 1918 At Sea Lat 52.94, Long 0.1 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Divisions and General Quarters. 10.00am: Hands cleaning out boats. 10.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded on patrol. 12noon Turned 16 points to Starboard. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 53. 1.30pm: Hands fall in, employed cleaning out boats. 2.28pm: Anchored in Boston Deeps 2 X 3½. [at 2 shackles in 3½ fathoms of water] 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e457: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-013_0.jpg) 20 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 The wind speed recorded at 4am: is force 4 to 5, dropping to force 3 to 4 by 8am: with the sea condition being recorded as ‘rough’. The previous log pages show that the Cicala is unable to operate in such conditions so it is not surprising to see today’s patrol abandoned. 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to Boston Dock - weather conditions unfavourable for patrol. 7.00am: Made fast alongside West End Quay. 9.30am: Hands employed painting boats and oiling ship. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 6. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting out boats and cleaning ship. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch until 6.30am. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e458: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-013_1.jpg) 21 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 9.00am: Hands employed washing paintwork. 12noon Forty eight hours leave to Port Watch. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e459: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-014_0.jpg) 22 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Landed Church Party. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-014_1.jpg) 23 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.15am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-015_0.jpg) 24 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 1.50am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning out boats. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-015_1.jpg) 25 September 1918 Boston, Lincolnshire Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Hands variously employed. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 8.10pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-016_0.jpg) 26 September 1918 Boston Lat 53.0, Long -0.0 In the afternoon the wind rises to force 4 to 5 with the sea condition again described as ‘rough’. Today the Cicala copes with these conditions but it is unclear what is different. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 10.30am: Cast off from Jetty and proceeded to sea. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 6 miles. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning out magazines and shell rooms. 7.55pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-016_1.jpg) 27 September 1918 Boston, Lincolnshire to Chatham: Lat 53.1, Long 1.5 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.35am: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 7.52am: Lynn Wells Light Vessel sighted abeam. Altered course to N52E. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Hands variously employed. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 140. 12.30pm: Cockle Light Vessel abeam. 12.34pm: Altered course S16W. 6.25pm: Made fast to No 5 buoy Harwich Harbour. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e45f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-017_0.jpg) 28 September 1918 Boston to Chatham: Lat 52.1, Long 1.9 Again the Cicala shows that she has problems when the wind rises above force 3. However, a close reading of today’s log suggests it is the sea condition that is the critical factor. When she returns to Harwich the sea is recorded as being rough. Then, in the afternoon with the sea described as moderate despite winds of force 4 to 5, she sets out again and makes good progress on her journey. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Messes. 7.55am: Cast off from buoy and proceeded to sea. 9.10am: Wind and sea increasing, ship bumping, returned to Harwich. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 75. 1.28pm: Cast off from buoy and proceeded. 5.45pm: Made fast to buoy in Sheerness Harbour. 6.55pm: Cast off from buoy and proceeded to Victoria Oil Jetty to discharge oil fuel. 9.00pm: Finished discharging oil. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e460: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-017_1.jpg) 29 September 1918 Sheerness to Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 The 1pm: log entry is significant. The Cicala is undergoing alterations rather than repairs. Presumably these changes are to prepare her for her work with the North Russian Expeditionary Force that the Cicala is about to undertake. 1.00am: Rounds correct. 6.45am: Cast off from Victoria Pier and proceeded up river to Chatham. 7.35am: Moored to No 8 buoy, Short Reach. 8.45am: Commenced discharging ammunition and explosives. 11.30am: All ammunition discharged. 11.35am: Proceeded into Dock. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 8. 1.00pm: Dockyard men boarded and commenced alterations. 5.00pm: Dockyard men finished work for the day. 8.00pm: Hands darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e461: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-018_0.jpg) 30 September 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 2.00am: Rounds Correct. 2.30am: All clocks put back one hour. 6.30am: Hands fall in and employed as requisite. 9.30am: Hands fall in. 12noon Leave granted to Port Watch till 7th October. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 2.30pm: Dockyard men working on board. 4.00pm: Leave to after part Starboard Watch until 6.30am. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e463: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-020_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e464: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-020_1.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e465: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-021_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e466: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37792/ADM 53-37792-021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR OCTOBER 1918 4caf8557cadfd3419700e467: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-001_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e468: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-001_1.jpg) Two images above constitute the image of the cover page of this copy log book. It is certified as being a full copy of the original by Francis Blessing, Lieutenant Royal Naval Reserve. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e469: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-002_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-002_1.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-003_0.jpg) Details of ship’s barometer and thermometers. Note the log shows that the barometer was switched out on 4 0ctober 1918. Barometer – Type: Aneroid; Maker: J. Wheeler; Number: 3962 Thermometer for Air Temperature – Position: In screen outside Wireless Telegraph Office; Maker: Negrette and Zambra; Numbers: 2109, 2273; Dates August 1916 to present Thermometer for Sea Temperature – Metal Scale pattern 58 IX As has already been noted, the Cicala is to be part of the North Russian Expeditionary Force of 1919. This is going to involve her to travelling as part of a naval flotilla to Archangel on the Dvina River. The route will take her North along the Eastern coast of Norway then East along the Northern Coast of Russia to Murmansk and then on to enter the White Sea. The plan calls for the flotilla to overwinter at Archangel until the Spring thaw. In the meantime the Cicala and her crew are going to experience Arctic cold. Both the White Sea and the Dvina River will ice over during the winter months. This is going to be a testing voyage for an Insect class river gunboat that we have already seen has problems crossing the relatively sheltered waters of the Wash. The page on the ‘Frank S Taylor Family and Royal Navy History’ web site that covers the Insect Class gunboats describes their structure as being reinforced with “[…] a three quarter-inch steel doubler […] fitted on the sheer strake over the mid-ships section as extra stiffening”. Unfortunately this source is ambiguous and it is not clear if this steel doubler was part of the original specification. However, if it was an in-service modification then fitting this doubler could be one of the modifications that the Cicala was undergoing. It would certainly help to explain the 18 days that she spends in Chatham: at this time. One other modification that she likely underwent was the fitting of steam: heaters to ensure that her crew spaces remained habitable in the icy conditions that she would soon be operating in. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-003_1.jpg) 1 October 1918 Chatham: Dockyard Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 2.35am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship. 7.15am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands employed drawing stores. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch until 7am. 8.30pm: Darkened ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-004_0.jpg) 2 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands employed drawing stores. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to after part of Port Watch till 6.30am. 8.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-004_1.jpg) 3 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 2.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands variously employed. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon Dinner. 1.30pm: Hands variously employed. 5.00pm: Leave to fore part Starboard Watch till 6.30am. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e46f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-005_0.jpg) 4 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 The date was originally given as 4 September 1918 and subsequently altered to read 4 October 1918. This is the day when the Cicala enters dry dock and when her barometer was swapped out according to the instrument details at the front of the log. She spends 7 days in dry dock and looking ahead to the 6th October we learn that her hull is being worked on. 2.15am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.00am: Hands variously employed. 10.00am: Dockyard men working on board. 11.30am: Proceeded to No 9 Dry Dock in charge of two tugs. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 2.30pm: Barometer returned to N.S.O. Chatham. [Naval Supplies Office?] 4.00pm: Leave to after part Port Watch until 6.30am. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e470: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-005_1.jpg) 5 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 There are no air pressure readings recorded in the log implying that the replacement barometer has still to be fitted. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Hands employed drawing stores. 1.30pm: Hands employed drawing stores. 4.00pm: Leave to fore part Starboard Watch till 6.30am. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e471: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-006_0.jpg) 6 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 A note at the top of this log page reads “Dockyard men working on hull”. Again, no air pressure readings imply that the replacement barometer has still to be fitted. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Sunday routine. 4.00pm: Leave to after part Starboard Watch till 6.30am. 7.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e472: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-006_1.jpg) 7 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 Still no air pressure readings recorded in the log. A new Commanding Officer is appointed. Not recorded in the log but the Navy List for May 1919 shows Lieutenant Edward Templeton Grayston RNR to have been appointed to the command of the Cicala with this as his seniority date, although he may not have taken actual command on this day. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Hands fall in. 1.30pm: Hands employed drawing stores. 6.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e473: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-007_0.jpg) 8 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 Still no barometer readings. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands clean ship. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 6.30am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e474: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-007_1.jpg) 9 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No barometer readings recorded in the log. 2.25am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e475: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-008_0.jpg) 10 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No barometer readings recorded in the log. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 2.00pm: 2 Leading Stokers discharged to Chatham: Hospital. 5.00pm: Leave to Watch until 6.30am. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e476: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-008_1.jpg) 11 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No air pressure readings implying that the Cicala has now been a week without a barometer. 2.10am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Left Dry Dock and proceeded to No15 crane. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e477: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-009_0.jpg) 12 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 Still no air pressure readings. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Hands employed provisioning ship. 1.15pm: Hands employed provisioning ship. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e478: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-009_1.jpg) 13 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No air pressure readings. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Hands employed provisioning ship. 1.30pm: Hands employed provisioning ship. 6.00pm: Leave to part of Watch till 6am. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e479: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-010_0.jpg) 14 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No air pressure readings. The complement of the Cicala may be small but the 3pm: log entry proves that the ship’s officers still have their perks. There is a cut-away drawing of the Cicala in Angus Konstram’s book ‘Yangtze River Gunboats 1900-49’ (Osprey Publishing, 2011 ISBN 978 1 84908 408 6). This shows a comfortably sized Wardroom, with 4 portholes, on the starboard side of the Cicala below the deck to the fore of the forward 6 inch gun. Be careful about this drawing because it shows the Cicala as she was circa 1927. The improvised armour around her 6 inch guns was not fitted at the time of these logs as can be seen in the photograph on page 24 of Simon Stokes paper ‘Naval Actions of the Russian Civil War’ where the full outline of the Cicala’s main guns is clearly shown. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Hands provisioning ship. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 3.00pm: 1 Officers Steward First Class discharged to Depôt. 5.00pm: Leave to Port Watch till 6.30am. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-010_1.jpg) 15 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 No air pressure readings. 1.15am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.00am: Hands employed drawing gunner’s stores. 1.15pm: Hands employed provisioning ship. 5.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 11pm. 5.45pm: Carried out basin steam: trials. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-011_0.jpg) 16 October 1918 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 Air pressure readings recommence at 4pm: implying that the Cicala has its full set of metrological instruments by the end of the day. 1.40am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Cast off from wharf and made fast to No. 7 buoy, Long Reach. 10.00am: Hands ammunition ship. 11.55am: Slipped buoy and proceeded alongside collier at Sheerness. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 5. 1.00pm: Hands fall in – coal ship. 4.20pm: Alongside oiling wharf, commenced oiling. 5.30pm: Oiling complete. 6.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-011_1.jpg) 17 October 1918 Sheerness Lat 51.45, Long 0.77 This is a big day in the story of the Cicala although you would not guess this from the log entry. Today the ship and crew set out for Arkhangel (Archangel) [Arkhangelsk] on the Dvina River in Russia. It will be an amazing journey for a river gunboat that just a few weeks ago was having problems traversing the Wash in anything other than near perfect sea conditions. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 6.50am: Cast off from Victoria Pier and made fast to buoy No. 47 to adjust compasses. 11.30am: Slipped buoy and proceeded to sea. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 10. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning ship. 5.30pm: Darken ship. 7.18pm: Anchored in Yarmouth Roads. 4 shackles in 7 fathoms. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-012_0.jpg) 18 October 1918 At Sea Lat 53.8, Long 1.4 The mention of ‘single line ahead’ in the Noon course and distance record indicates that the Cicala is operating as a part of a group of ships. Although there is nothing in the log entries to indicate when and where the flotilla assembled, Yarmouth Roads has to be high on the list of likely places. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 6.40am: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 9.30am: Divisions and prayers. 9.45am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 185. 12noon Course and Distance made good: Single line ahead. Course and speed as required. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 2.30pm: Single line ahead. Course and speed as required. 4.25pm: Exercised Action Stations. 5.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-012_1.jpg) 19 October 1918 At Sea Lat 55.2, Long -0.3 3.00am: Rounds correct. Single line ahead. Course and speed as required. 6.30am: Hands employed stowing ship’s stores. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 259. 2.20pm: Entered Aberdeen Harbour and made fast alongside Jetty. 5.00pm: Hands employed provisioning ship. 6.10pm: Leave to Port Watch until 11pm. 8.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e47f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-013_0.jpg) 20 October 1918 Aberdeen and At Sea Lat 57.2, Long -2.0 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 7.00am: Proceeded alongside coal jetty and commenced coaling. 10.45am: Completed coaling. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 13. 1.25pm: Cast off from coaling jetty and proceeded to sea. Course N42E, speed 11 knots. 3.55pm: Buchanness Light sighted abeam, distance 3 miles. Altered course N27E. 4.55pm: Altered course N25E increased [speed to] 12 knots. 6.10pm: Altered course N60W. 7.00pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e480: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-013_1.jpg) 21 October 1918 Aberdeen to Scapa Flow Lat 58.9, Long -3.1 1.30am: Rounds correct. 3.00am: Single line ahead. Course and speed as required. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 8.52am: Secured to buoy Scapa Flow. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 167. 3.35pm: Oiler came alongside. Commenced oiling, 4.45pm: Oiling completed. 5.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e481: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-014_0.jpg) 22 October 1918 Scapa Flow to Lerwick Lat 60.1, Long -1.1 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Slipped buoy and proceeded to sea. 6.30am: Hands cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 71. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.20pm: Anchored in Lerwick North Harbour 3 shackles [in] 4 fathoms. 5.30pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e482: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-014_1.jpg) 23 October 1918 Lerwick to Tromso Lat 62.5, Long 1.7 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.45am: Hands employed rigging coaling gear. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 10.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded alongside collier. 11.00am: Commenced coaling. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 66. 2.20pm: Completed with coal. Cast off from collier and proceeded alongside oiler. 3.20pm: Completed with oil. Cast off from oiler and anchored in South Harbour 3 shackles in 9 fathoms. 4.45pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. 6.00pm: Port Watch closed up night defence stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e483: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-015_0.jpg) 24 October 1918 Lerwick to Tromso Lat 65.4, Long 6.6 The ship’s course is given as ‘Single line ahead. Course and speed as requisite’ for the entire 24 hour period. The Cicala holds a constant course of N67E (see entry at 2am) for the entire day as she traverses open waters. It is worth noting that the highest air temperature recorded in today’s log is only 48°F, around 9°C, which is cold by modern standards. However, it is almost summer-like in the context of the cold that the Cicala and her crew will face in Arkhangel! 1.00am: Rounds correct. 3.30am: Exercised guns crews. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Divisions and prayers. 9.45am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 282. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 6.05pm: Starboard Watch closed up night defence stations. 8.45pm: Exercised guns crews. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e484: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-015_1.jpg) 25 October 1918 Lerwick to Tromso Lat 67.5, Long 11.5 Again the ship’s course is given as ‘Single line ahead. Course and speed as requisite’ for the entire 24 hour period. The order given at 9.45am: appears to be an exercise. The status of the 10am: order appears to be more serious. There is no order to stand down recorded so it appears that the crew are being placed on a high alert status. When reading these log entries it is easy to forget that Britain is still at war. 2.10am: Rounds correct. 3.45am: Exercised seaboats crew. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.45am: Abandon Ship stations. 10.00am: General Quarters. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 277. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 6.00pm: Darken ship. Port Watch close up night defence stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.15pm: Exercised guns crews. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e485: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-016_0.jpg) 26 October 1918 Lerwick to Tromso Lat 69.2, Long 14.8 The Cicala was one of the Insect Class-12 river gunboats that were also known as the ‘Large China Gunboats’. The power for this class of ships was provided by machinery that included “Boilers: Yarrow. Designed H.P. 2000 = 14 kts. Fuel (coal or oil): 35 tons coal + 65 tons oil” according to this page from Jane’s Fighting Ships for 1919. Whatever fuel she had been burning, it seems that steaming 600 miles has left the Cicala low on coal. Note how she moors up to a collier as soon as she enters harbour. NB Looking forward, the Cicala’s dual fueling is confirmed by the log page for 30 October 1918. Note the comment regarding her fuel status timed at 3.10pm. 1.30am: Rounds correct. 2.30am: Exercised sea-boats crew. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 43. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.50pm: Entered Tromso Harbour and secured alongside collier. 8.15pm: Hands coal ship. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e486: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-016_1.jpg) 27 October 1918 Tromso (Norway) Lat 69.64, Long 18.95 We see that the crew have been coaling the ship for around 7 hours. The log does not record how much coal has been brought aboard but this suggests that her bunkers were nearly empty when the Cicala arrived at Tromso. 3.30am: Coaling completed. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 43. 1.00pm: Cast off from collier. 1.30pm: Anchored in 19 fathoms [at] 7 shackles. 3.00pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. 5.30pm: Darken ship. 8.45pm: Watch closed up at night defence stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e487: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-017_0.jpg) 28 October 1918 Tromso (Norway) to Murmansk Lat 70.9, Long 21.6 This seems an amazing journey to attempt. Think about the problems that the Cicala was experiencing in heavy seas in the Wash just a few weeks ago! Remember that the Cicala is flat bottomed and that her draught is only around 4 feet (1.2 metres). 2.10am: Rounds correct. 3.17am: Exercised guns crews. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Hands employed taking down coal from Upper Deck. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 204. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.45pm: Watch closed up night defence stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e488: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-017_1.jpg) 29 October 1918 Tromso (Norway) to Murmansk Lat 70.1, Long 30.3 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Watch standing by on Battery Deck. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 198. 1.30pm: Watch standing by on Battery Deck. 4.45pm: Darken ship. 6.20pm: Anchored in Kildin Straits 4 shackles in 9 fathoms. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e489: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-018_0.jpg) Tromso (Norway) to Murmansk Lat 69.3, Long 33.5 There appears to have been significant flooding of the Cicala. She has very little bilge space so any leakage of the hull will quickly flood her internal compartments. Once she gets under way again it takes just three hours to expend all her fuel and she has to be taken in tow by a trawler. The Cicala still manages to make Murmansk but this could hardly be described as one of her best days. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed pumping out forward compartments. 9.30am: Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments. 12noon Weighted anchor and proceeded. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 37. 3.10pm: Oil and coal fuel expended. Taken in tow by H.M. Trawler Avon. 4.45pm: Anchored in Tyvua Bay and coaled from H.M. Trawler[s] Avon and Holyrood. 6.25pm: Completed with coal and proceeded to Murmansk. 9.00pm: Anchored off Murmansk in 9 fathoms [at] 4 shackles. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e48a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-018_1.jpg) 31 October 1918 Murmansk Lat 69.0, Long 33.03 Give a thought for the crew here. It is getting cold. Murmansk is only around 2½° south of the Arctic Circle. This is the end of October and the Cicala’s own thermometers record a maximum temperature of 37°F (3°C) on this day. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Divisions and prayers. 10.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded alongside collier. 10.45am: Commenced coaling. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 3. 0.45pm: Hands coal ship. 8.30pm: Clocks advanced one and half hours. 11.30pm: Completed with coal. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e48b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-020_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e48c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-020_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e48d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-021_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e48e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37793/ADM 53-37793-021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR NOVEMBER 1918 4caf8558cadfd3419700e48f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-001_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e490: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-001_1.jpg) Copy of Log for November 1918. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by Francis Blessing, Lieutenant Royal Navy Reserve. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e491: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-002_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e492: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-002_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e493: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-003_0.jpg) Barometer - Aneroid. Maker T. Wheeler No. 3962 Thermometers for air temperatures: Outside Chart House, in screen; Maker: Negretti & Zambra No. 2109, 2273. In use from August 1916 to present. Thermometer for Sea Temperature - Metal scale Pat. 58A 4caf8558cadfd3419700e494: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-003_1.jpg) 1 November 1918 Murmansk Lat 69.0, Long 33.03 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands variously employed. 8.05am: Cast off from collier and anchored [at] 3 shackles [in] 9 fathoms [of water]. 9.45am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 3. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning ship. 2.45pm: Weighted and proceeded alongside oiler. 5.45pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.20pm: Completed with oil. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e495: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-004_0.jpg) 2 November 1918 Murmansk Lat 69.0, Long 33.03 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Cast off from oiler, anchored 3 shackles [in] 9 fathoms. 8.30am: Water boat alongside. Completed with fresh water. 9.00am: Hands clean ship. 12noon [Hands] make and mend. 4.45pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to sea. Single line ahead, speed 9 knots. 5.00pm: Darken ship. 8.00pm: Kildin Island abeam. Watch closed up night defence stations. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e496: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-004_1.jpg) 3 November 1918 Murmansk to Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 68.1, Long 39.5 Some confusion the date on this page. It was first written as ‘3rd day of October’ then the word ‘October’ was struck out and replaced by ‘November’. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 2.30am: Ex[ercised] sea boats crew. 3.45am: Ex[ercised] guns crews. 5.00am: Ex[ercised] guns crews. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.30am: Divisions and prayers. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 193. 5.00pm: Watch closed up night defence stations. 6.15pm: Darken ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 11.30pm: Ex[ercised] guns crews. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e497: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-005_0.jpg) 4 November 1918 Murmansk to Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.00am: Rounds correct. 2.15am: Ex[ercised] sea boats crew. 4.00am: Ex[ercised] guns crews. 6.30am: Hands employed striking down coal from Upper Deck. 9.30am: Starboard Watch employed as requisite. 12noon Distance run through the Water: 195. 12.50pm: Pilot boarded. 4.15pm: Anchored in 6 fathoms, port anchor, 3 shackles. 6.10pm: Discharged pilot. 9.30pm: Harbour pilot boarded. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e498: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-005_1.jpg) 5 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The Cicala has arrived at Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk]. The air temperature has dropped to around 33°F (0.5°C) by her thermometer while she records the sea temperature as gradually rising from 30°F to 32°F (the freezing point of fresh water) over the course of the morning. This is only a fortnight after the vernal equinox so the crew must be beginning to wonder what Winter will be like in North Russia. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded alongside coal wharf, Moses Island. 9.00am: Hands coal ship. 10.50am: Completed with coal and cast off from wharf. 11.35am: Anchored off oil jetty. Starboard anchor, 2 shackles [in] 13 fathoms. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e499: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-006_0.jpg) 6 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 H.M.S. Gloworm is another Insect class gunboat like the Cicala. Arriving at Winter Quarters is significant part of the plan for the naval forces on the Dvina River. The core of the military plan was to reinforce the existing naval forces on the Dvina River before the White Sea and Dvina iced over for the Winter. A flotilla of gunboats, monitors (floating gun platforms, big guns, no armour and seriously underpowered) and minesweepers will then be ready to go into action on the Dvina to provide artillery support to a Spring push by land forces as soon as the ice has broken up. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded alongside oil wharf. 8.15am: Hands oil ship. 12.20pm: Completed with oil. 1.25pm: Cast off from oil wharf and proceeded to Winter Quarters. 2.00pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Gloworm. 3.15pm: Special leave to Starboard Watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lights out. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-006_1.jpg) 7 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.10am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands clean ship. 9.30am: Divisions. 10.30am: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to hospital. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave to Port Watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-007_0.jpg) 8 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.45am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands cleaning Mess Decks. 9.00am: Divisions and Abandon Ship Stations. 9.20am: Hands variously employed. 1.10pm: Hands employed in magazine and shell room. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch until 10pm. 7.00pm: Port Watch provision ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-007_1.jpg) 9 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 H.M.S. Cockshafer is another of the Insect class gunboats in the flotilla. 4 stokers leave the Cicala today. Why? This is a comparatively large part of the Cicala’s crew. The logs have not told us the current size of her current complement. We only know that it was between 45 and 55 including her Commander, Surgeon and First Lieutenant. What is being done to replace them? 1.10am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands clean ship. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 10.00am: Two Stoker Ratings discharged to H.M.S. Gloworm. Two Stoker Ratings discharged to H.M.S. Cockchafer. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Special leave to Port Watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-008_0.jpg) 10 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 More confusion about the date here. “Sunday 10th day of November” has been corrected to “9th day […]” 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands cleaning ship. 9.15am: Divisions and prayers. 12noon Special leave to Starboard Watch until 10pm. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-008_1.jpg) 11 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 No temperature readings are recorded in the morning weather reports although they are back in the afternoon. As there has been no report of new weapons being issued it is likely that the crew drilling with British weapons rather than the Russian rifle that is reported to have been the standard issue weapon for the all the forces engaged on this expedition? 1.50am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands cleaning guns and small arms. 9.15am: Divisions and small arms inspection. 9.20am: Landing Party to Rifle Drill. 11.30am: Landing Party returned on board. 1.00pm: Hands employed working in magazine and shell rooms. 5.00pm: Leave until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e49f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-009_0.jpg) 12 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands cleaning Mess Decks and small arms. 9.15am: Divisions. Landing Party fall in [for] inspection of small arms. 9.30am: Landing Party at Field Exercises. 11.30am: Landing Party returned on board. 1.15pm: Hands employed working in magazine and shell rooms. 4.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-009_1.jpg) 13 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands variously employed. 7.30am: Cast off from Glowworm [sic] and proceeded to Solombolo to coal. 9.15am: Hands employed coaling ship. 2.50pm: Coaling completed. 2.55pm: Cast off from coaling wharf and returned to Winter Quarters. 4.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-010_0.jpg) 14 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 For the first time we see snow being recorded between 1 and 3am: and again between 5 and 7am. The air temperatures are recorded as being close to, or slightly less than, 32°F for the entire day so it is reasonable to assume that this snow is going to be covering the ground and buildings. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.15am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Leave for Starboard Watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-010_1.jpg) 15 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.30am: Round correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite.. 9.00am: Divisions and prayers. 10.00am: Landing Party at Field Exercises. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-011_0.jpg) 16 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Hands cleaning ship. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-011_1.jpg) 17 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.15am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.20am: Divisions. 9.40am: Church Parties landed. 11.50am: Church Parties returned. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-012_0.jpg) 18 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.15am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions and inspection of small arms. 9.15am: Landing Party for rifle drill. 1.00pm: Landing Party fall in, remainder of hands employed as requisite. 4.15pm: Landing Party returned on board. 6.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-012_1.jpg) 19 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.40am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands cleaning ship. 9.00am: Divisions. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 3.30pm: Watch drawing stores. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.30pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-013_0.jpg) 20 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.30am: Hands employed re-stowing ammunition. 1.10pm: Hands employed as [requisite.] 4.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-013_1.jpg) 21 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Both air and sea temperatures are now well below the freezing point all the time now. The highest recorded air temperature today is 19°F (-6°C). To put this in context, the recommended temperature for the interior of a domestic refrigerator is -4°C or 24°F. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.30am: Landed patrol. 9.00am: Provision ship. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 3.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 5.00pm: Patrol returned on board. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4a9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-014_0.jpg) 22 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The question arising from this log entry is who has died? We have a funeral party recorded as being landed and returned but no death of a crewman. It is most likely that the deceased was from one of the other ships sharing the Winter Quarters. 1.45am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.15am: Divisions. 11.20am: Landed Funeral Party. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 1.45pm: Funeral Party returned on board. 5.00pm: Leave until10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4aa: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-014_1.jpg) 23 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Why is Cicala landing patrols when she has no crew on leave? The 10pm: log entry is pArcticularly strange! 1.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Hands employed striking down coal from Upper Deck. 3.00pm: Hands employed drawing provisions. 5.45pm: Landed Patrol. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.45pm: Landed Second Patrol. 10.00pm: First Patrol landed. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ab: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-015_0.jpg) 24 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 What is going on? In 48 hours nine patrols are recorded as landing but only two are recorded coming back on board. These records must have made sense at the time. Lieutenant Francis Blessing has initialled the log for 23 November at noon and midnight, and this log page has also been initialled at the same times by another, unidentified officer. 1.45am: Landed Patrol landed. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 2.15am: Second Patrol landed. 5.45am: Landed Patrol. 7.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.45am: Patrol landed. 10.05am: First Patrol landed. 10.15am: Landed Church Parties. 1.45pm: Landed Third Patrol. 2.00pm: Second Patrol returned. 6.00pm: Patrol returned. 9.00am: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ac: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-015_1.jpg) 25 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.15am: Hands employed in magazine and shell rooms. 1.15pm: Hands employed as requisite. 2.55pm: Proceeded to Winter Quarters in charge of two tugs. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10.00pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ad: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-016_0.jpg) 26 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.35am: Landed armed guard. 1.00pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ae: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-016_1.jpg) 27 November 1918 Arkhangel Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Amazingly, today is warm compared with yesterday. The temperature readings are all double digit numbers as against the single digit numbers that predominated on the previous day. 2.10am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00am: Divisions. 10.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4af: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-017_0.jpg) 28 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Another warm day. The peak recorded air temperature is 31 Fahrenheit – only just below freezing. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Divisions. 12noon [Hands] make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-017_1.jpg) 29 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands to breakfast. 8.00am: Hands coal ship. 3.30pm: Coaling completed. 5.00pm: Leave to Port Watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-018_0.jpg) 30 November 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.30am: Rounds correct. 8.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.45am: Landed armed guard. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-018_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-020_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-020_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-021_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37794/ADM 53-37794-021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR DECEMBER 1918 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-001_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-001_1.jpg) Copy of Log for December 1918. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by Francis Blessing, Lieutenant Royal Navy Reserve. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4b9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-002_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ba: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-002_1.jpg) The report headed ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ has been struck through. However an annotation ‘See Case 290/17’ has been added. The report is signed ‘Edw: T. Grayston 31st December. 1918’. It is the first time that we have seen the commander’s signature in this group of logs. This signature matches the name Edward Templeton Grayston, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve. This name for the Cicala’s commanding officer is given in issue 31906 of The London Gazette see www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31906/supplements/5688. It is also the given name in the May 1919 Navy List available here online free of charge. This record gives his seniority date, the date when he was given command of the Cicala, as 7 October 1918. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4bb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-003_0.jpg) The details of the ship’s barometer and thermometers have not been recorded. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4bc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-003_1.jpg) 1 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.15am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.15am: Divisions. 9.30am: Landed Church Party. 11.15am: Church Party returned. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4bd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-004_0.jpg) 2 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The Cicala may not be moving but the noon record shows that she has still burnt 3.5 tons of coal in 24 hours. This is 10% of her maximum load of coal in a single day and seems an unsustainable consumption rate considering that we know the river will soon be icing over. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 8.00am: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 8.20am: Landed Lewis guns crews for instruction. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4be: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-004_1.jpg) 3 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.45am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.30am: Landed Lewis guns crews. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.00am: Hands employed drawing provisions and as requisite. 9.45am: Landed patrol. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 3.45pm: Landed patrol. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 7.45pm: Landed relief patrol. 11.45pm: Landed relief patrol. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4bf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-005_0.jpg) 4 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 It seems that the Cicala has had only one patrol out on shore, and that each patrol lasts for just 4 hours, as only one patrol is recorded as returning. It also seems that a barracks is the probable destination for the armed guard that has been landed from time-to-time over the past month. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 3.45am: Relief patrol landed 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.20am: Patrol returned on board. 8.30am: Landed Lewis guns crews. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.30am: Barrack guard landed. 1.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 6.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-005_1.jpg) 5 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.55am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.20am: Landed Lewis guns crews for training. 9.10am: Divisions. 10.40am: Barrack guard returned on board. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-006_0.jpg) 6 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Another unexplained funeral party. It seems that Winter Quarters in Arkangel is not a very healthy place! 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.25am: Hands employed drawing provisions. 10.15am: Landed funeral party. 12noon Funeral party returned. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-006_1.jpg) 7 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.15am: Lewis guns crews landed for instruction. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-007_0.jpg) 8 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions. Landed Barrack guard. 9.55am: Landed Church Party. 11.25am: Church Party returned on board. 1.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-007_1.jpg) 9 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands [to] breakfast. 8.00am: Hands coal ship. 8.20am: Landed Lewis gun training class. 10.40am: Barrack guard returned on board. 1.00pm: Hands coal ship. 4.00pm: Coaling completed. 5.00pm: Leave to watch until 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-008_0.jpg) 10 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.20am: Lewis guns crews landed for instruction. 1.10pm: Hands employed in magazine and shell rooms. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-008_1.jpg) 11 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.15am: Lewis guns crews landed for instruction. 9.30am: Landed guard. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-009_0.jpg) 12 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.15am: Hands employed drawing provisions and as requisite. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-009_1.jpg) 13 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 8.20am: Landed Lewis guns crews for instruction. 11.00am: Exercised 3 inch guns crews. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4c9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-010_0.jpg) 14 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.15am: Landed Lewis guns crews for instruction. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ca: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-010_1.jpg) 15 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The top temperature of the day is 17°F – about -9°C – and the weather records show that it has snowed all day. These must surely be difficult conditions for the crew of the Cicala. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions. 1.30pm: Liberty men landed. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4cb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-011_0.jpg) 16 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 2.45pm: Discharged one Leading Seaman to hospital. 5.00pm: leave to watch till 7pm.. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4cc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-011_1.jpg) 17 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed [cleaning] Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4cd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-012_0.jpg) 18 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands employed cleaning ship. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 5.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ce: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-012_1.jpg) 19 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The noon figures for fuel show that the Cicala has 60.5 tons of coal on board. Where is this all being put? She is now carrying almost twice her official bunker capacity of just 35 tons of coal. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.45am: Breakfast. 8.00am: Hands coal ship. 9.20am: Landed guard. 12.45pm: Hands coal ship. 7.10pm: Coaling completed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4cf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-013_0.jpg) 20 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The probable reason for cleaning the paintwork is probably that oil based paints do not harden off at temperatures below 50°F. There is an ominous tone in today’s log entries. Liberty men are landed and then, just over 4 hours later, all leave is cancelled. A couple of hours later an armed guard is landed. What is happening? This is more than needed to deal with a few hands who have got drunk. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands employed cleaning paintwork. 1.00pm: Landed liberty men. 5.15pm: Leave cancelled. 7.30pm: Landed armed guard. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-013_1.jpg) 21 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 1.25am: Armed guard returned on board. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-014_0.jpg) 22 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.30am: Divisions and Rounds. 9.40am: Landed Church Parties. 11.40am: Church Parties returned. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00m Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-014_1.jpg) 23 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.15am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.15am: Divisions. 9.20 Hands employed as requisite 1.10 Hands employed as requisite 4,00pm: Landed armed guard. 7.40pm: Armed guard returned. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-015_0.jpg) 24 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.45am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-015_1.jpg) 25 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Christmas Day. The crew run to a very basic schedule today. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Deck. 9.30am: Landed Church Party. 12noon Leave to watch till 10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. LOG BOOK – December 26th 1918 to July 1st 1919 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4df: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0001_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0001_1.jpg) These two images together make up the cover of a Deck Log for the period 26 December 1918 to 1 July 1919. The start of this period overlaps the main log series for the 6 days 26 to 31 December 1918 – see the note in the 26 December 1918 transcription. The Deck Log has a different format to the copy logs in that it has a day to a two page spread rather than a page to a day. It also has more pages resulting in a minor change to the detail of the names used for the image files. There is no signature on the front page of this book. It is the master record and not a copy so no declaration relating to it being a faithful copy is required. The start of the period covered by this log overlaps the main log series for the 6 days 26 to 31 December. The Deck Log has a different format to the copy logs previously seen. It is a standard book with a board binding rather than a saddle-stitched booklet. It has a day-to-view layout rather than the day-to-a-page layout of the copy logs. It is also has more pages requiring some minor changes to the image file names. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0003_1.jpg) A page giving instructions on how the deck log is to be kept, who is responsible for making entries, its ultimate disposal and detailing the manner in which the metrological data is to be recorded. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0002_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0002_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-016_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0004_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0004_1.jpg) Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 NOTE: The transcriptions that follow for the period from 26 to 31 December 1918 are a combination of the entries from both logs. The December 1918 log has been given priority for the overlap period since it alone is certified as a true copy of the log. However, the Deck Log contains more detail of what is going on so the additional entries from it are being transcribed in full. The Deck log transcriptions are identified by having a parchment coloured background. Only the Deck Log weather observations indicate that the sea is frozen. The Main Log entries simply omit sea temperatures. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast and clean Dress of Day No.4, Duty Men No 3. 8.30am: Carpenters party landed. 9.02am: Doctors party [landed]. 9.10am: Divisions. 9.10am: Divisions, Seamen, Stokers, Da~~~ at instruction in Russian rifles and marching order. 9.15am: Hands to instruction in Russian rifles. 9.45 Jetty guard returned on board. 10.00am: Doctors party returned on board. 12noon Hands make and mend [clothes]. 12noon Dinner. 12.45pm: Hands make and mend clothes. Gave leave till 10pm. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 3.50pm: Carpenters [party returned on board]. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-016_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0005_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0005_1.jpg) 27 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast and clean No.4s, Duty men No 3s. 8.30am: Carpenters working party and provisioning party landed. 9.05am: Divisions and employed stokers and seamen at rifle instruction and working in magazines and shell rooms. Armourer and 2 men inspecting new rifles. 9.10am: Divisions. 9.15am: Hands employed as requisite. 10.35am: Provisioning party returned on board. 1.10pm: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning rifles and as required. 1.30pm: 1 Rating discharged to Hospital 53 General. 2.00pm: 1 Rating discharged to No. 53 Hospital. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 4.00pm: Hands to Evening Quarters. Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 5.00pm: Liberty men landed. 6.00pm: Liberty men landed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-017_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4e9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0006_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ea: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0006_1.jpg) 28 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The Deck Log is giving many details that are missing from the main log. Both logs record overnight snow but only the Deck Log records the sea as frozen. The Cicala is not going to be moving again this Winter. She will have to stay put until the Spring thaw. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Barrack Guard [to] breakfast. Cooks clean Messes. Remainder clear up Upper Decks. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean Dress of day. No 4. Duty men No. 3. 8.30am: Carpenters party left the ship. 9.00am: Hands to Divisions. 9.15am: Hands fall in. Employed working about Lewis guns. 9.30am: Barrack Guard left the ship. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.30am: Head Quarters Guard returned on board. 1.00pm: Hands employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-017_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4eb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0007_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ec: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0007_1.jpg) 29 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The Deck Log continues to reveal far more about the activities of the crew than the main log. The missing third meal of the day, as required by regulations, re-appears with Tea mentioned in the 4pm: entry. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called all Hands. 7.00am: Hands fell in. Employed Cooks clean Messes and remainder cleaning Upper Decks. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks and Upper Decks. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean into No.3s. 9.20am: Divisions. 9.20am: Divisions. 9.30am: Landed Church Parties. 9.30am: Landed Church Party and Jetty Guard. 10.15am: Barrack Guard returned on board. 11.20am: Church Parties return on board. 11.20am: Church Party returned on board. 12noon Dinner. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 1.30pm: Liberty men landed. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. 4.00pm: Evening Quarters. Tea. 5.00pm: Liberty men landed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4d9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-018_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ed: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0008_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ee: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0008_1.jpg) 30 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The page in the main log has been signed “Edw. T. Grayston Lt RNR”. We know that he is the Commander of the Cicala but his reason for signing this page not given. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship and clearing up Upper Decks. 7.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast and clean Dress of day No.4 Duty Men No.3. 8.30am: Provisions party and Carpenters party landed. 9.00am: H&SBA for Doctors party. 9.10am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands to Divisions. Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. Arm Crew and hands cleaning pistols and rifles. 9.15am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.30am: Jetty Guard returned on board. 10.30am: Provision party returned on board. 12noon Hands [to] Dinner. 12.20pm: One Able Bodied Rating left ship to go to hospital. 12.50pm: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to No. 53 Hospital. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. Arm Crew and hands cleaning pistols and rifles, remainder working about the ship. 2.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Gave leave till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.30pm: Men under No.15 punishment to muster. 7.00pm: Muster men under punishment. 9.00pm: Rounds. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Guards ~~~ed 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4da: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-018_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ef: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0009_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0009_1.jpg) 31 December 1918 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The writing at the bottom of the main log page is very indistinct. This could be the result of either fading or water damage. The temperature recorded at 8pm: is just 3°F (-16°C). This is the temperature that a domestic deep freeze runs at. Consequently, it is also possible that the officer completing the log was having difficulty using a pen and ink to write with. 1.30am: Rounds correct. 5.00am: Hands preparing to go into winter quarters. 7.00pm: Hands Fall In. Employed cleaning ship. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast. Clean No.4s Duty Men No 3s. 8.30am: Carpenters landed. 9.00am: Doctors party left ship. 9.00am: Divisions. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Employed getting stores on the jetty. 9.30am: Head Quarters Guard landed. 10.50am: Doctors party returned on board. 12noon Dinner. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed as required. 3.00pm: Hands employed preparing ship for h~~~ its Co[mpany?] into winter quarters. 4.00pm: Hands to Evening Quarters. Special Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. 5.00pm: Liberty men landed. 6.00pm: Liberty men landed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 11.00pm: Hands to go into winter quarters am[?] 1st January 1919. 12midnight The end 1918. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4db: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-020_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4dc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-020_1.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4dd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-021_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4de: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37795/ADM 53-37795-021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR JANUARY 1919 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0010_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0010_1.jpg) 1 January 1919 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The last entry on this log page is that for 9.30am. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Employed getting up mess shelves and ~~~ lockers as requisite. 7.30am: Hands breakfast clean. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Employed as required. 9.30am: Barracks Guard left the ship. First Interregnum What happened next is explained by an entry from the log of H.M.S. Glowworm – another Insect Class gunboat that is also in Arkhangel as part of the North Russian Expeditionary Force. The sole entry in her log for 1 January 1919 reads “Ships Company shifted into Winter Quarters. Officers to Constantine Barracks, men to Naval Barracks, Solombola. Logs discontinued.” (See http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-69702/ADM53-69702-019_0.jpg Despatches written by Rear Admiral Green and Captain Altham, Senior Naval Officer, River Expedition and published in the supplement to the London Gazette of 18 May 1920 explain what happened. A decision had been taken to reinforce the flotilla operating out of Archangel in Summer 1918. The Cicala was one of the ‘large gunboats’ sent to operate on the Dvina River as part of the reinforcement of the Navy presence. The plan called for the force to be ready to go into action as soon as the river thawed in the Spring. Consequently, the reinforcements were sent to Archangel in the Autumn of 1918 with the intention that they should be “laid up and frozen in for winter”. Consequently, there are no log entries for the months of January, February and March 1919. The Cicala’s log picks up as her company returns to the ship. There are no blank pages in the log book. It is as though someone put down their pen and closed the book at 9.30am: on New Year’s Day 1919. Then, after an interval of 15 weeks, it is as if they returned, picked up their pen and started writing again at 5.00pm: on Tuesday, 15 April 1919.
THE VOYAGES OF HMS CICALA
LOGS FOR APRIL 1919 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0011_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0011_1.jpg) 15 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The sequence numbering of the images indicates that this is the next log page after that for 1 January 1919. The location given and activity described is consistent with the story from the log of H.M.S. Glowworm quoted above. The February 1921 edition of the Naval Review contains a first-hand account of the naval actions during the North Russian expedition. This account confirms that Solombola is the name of the Archangel docks. There are no weather records in the log for this day. 5.00pm: Ships Company joined ship from Russian Naval Barracks. 7.00pm: Supper. 8.00pm: Stand by Hammocks. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0012_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0012_1.jpg) 16 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Spring has definitely arrived. The air temperature is still cool but the readings are consistently above freezing today. However, the log records that the dock is still frozen over! This prompts a question of sanitation. The Cicala’s sanitary provision is very basic –her heads are the two box like structures that overhang her stern. Normally urine and faeces are simply dropped into her wake. This arrangement is fine when she is making headway but is potentially smelly and unpleasant when she is tied up in static water or iced up as she is at present. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 5.45am: Called Hands. Hands to Cocoa and wash. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Employed as required. 7.00am: Working party to breakfast. 7.45am: Hands to breakfast. 8.30am: Working party left for Constantine. 9.00am: Hands fall in and employed as requisite. 10.00am: Guards returned from Barracks. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch until 10pm: tonight. Tea and shift night clothing. 6.00pm: Landed Liberty men. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0013_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0013_1.jpg) 17 April 1919 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The morning assignment of men to the task of “breaking ice round stern” could well be the answer to the sanitation question raised in an earlier editorial comment. There certainly does not appear to be any other need for this work to be undertaken. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship and as requisite. 7.30am: Hands to breakfast and clean into 4 Duty men No. 3. 8.30am: Landed Barrack Working Party. 8.35am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.05am: Hands fall in. 3 Hands breaking ice round stern. Remainder as requisite. 9.45am: Took over Ships Guard. 12noon Leave for Port Watch until 10pm. Hands to make and mend clothes. 1.15pm: Carpenters party fell in, work on board H.M.S. Cricket. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 4.00pm: Hands to tea, shift night clothing. 6.00pm: Liberty men landed. 8.00pm: Stand by Hammocks. 9.15pm: 1 Rating discharged to hospital with 4 Hands. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 10.30pm: Hospital Party returned on board. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4f9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0014_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4fa: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0014_1.jpg) 18 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 5.45am: Called Hands. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship. 6.30am: Provisioning party left ship. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean No. 4s. Duty men No.3s. 8.30am: Carpenters party fall in. Working on board H.M.S. Cricket. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship. 12noon Hands to dinner. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed drawing provisions and as requisite. 4.00pm: Special leave to Starboard Watch from 4pm: till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: One Leading Seaman and one Able Bodied Seaman joined ship. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4fb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0015_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4fc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0015_1.jpg) 19 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 VIP visitor. the Admiral, spends around 40 minutes aboard the Cicala. He is not identified by anything other than rank in the log. The visitor is probably Rear Admiral John F E Green as he is the only Royal Navy officer of this rank in North Russia at this time. The identity of Lieutenant Mossen is a mystery. He does not appear in the Navy List dated February 1919 so it is possible that he is an officer from one of the other forces involved in this campaign. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Employed washing down Upper Deck. 7.45am: Hands to Breakfast and clean. 7.50am: Working Party left ship. 8.30am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder of Hands employed as requisite. 10.40am: Admiral came on board and inspected ship. 11.20am: Admiral left the ship. 1.10pm: Hands fall in and employed as required. 1.30pm: Landed watch [keeper?] liberty men till 10pm. 2.40pm: Hands fall in. Employed provisioning ship. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift night clothing. Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. 4.45pm: Starboard Watch fall in provision ship. 5.00pm: Liberty men fall in. 6.00pm: Liberty men fall in. 7.15pm: Picket left ship. Lieutenant Mossen s~~~ 60 pounds fresh meat and weight condemned. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4fd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0016_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4fe: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0016_1.jpg) 20 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The temperature is back below freezing and it snows all afternoon. It is also Easter Sunday, see http://www.maa.mhn.de/StarDate/publ_holidays.html, hence the early morning church party. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 5.30am: Picket returned on board. 6.00am: Call Hands. 6.30am: [Hands] fall in. Employed cleaning ship. 6.40am: Roman Catholic Church Party left ship. 7.45am: Quarters Clean Guns. 8.00am: Roman Catholic Church Party returned on board. Two Hands required working with Ship Wright on board H.M.S. Cockchafer. 9.25am: Cooks clean Mess Deck. 9.45am: Church of England Church Party left ship. 10.00am: Hands to Divisions. 11.25am: Church of England Church Party returned on board. 12noon Leave to Starboard Watch from 1.15pm: till 10pm. 1.15pm: Landed liberty men. 4,00pm: Tea and shift night clothing. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e4ff: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0017_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e500: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0017_1.jpg) 21 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The origin of the crew members arriving on board at 5pm: is a mystery. The name “Smorny” is as given in very clear hand writing in the log but what it is the name of?. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.10am: Working Party left the ship. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning Mess deck and cleaning up Upper Deck. 7.45am: Hands to breakfast and clean in No.4. 8.00am: Duty men clean in No.3. 8.50am: Hands fall in. Told off as requisite. 8.55am: Took over Ships Guard. 12noon Dinner. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed as required. 2.30pm: Working Party returned on board. 4.00pm: Tea. Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. 5.00pm: One Chief Petty Officer and one Petty Officer armourer joined ship from Smorny. 5.00pm: Landed Liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e501: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0018_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e502: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0018_1.jpg) 22 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The air temperature creeps up above freezing this afternoon but the sea still remains frozen. It is interesting to see painting as an identified task since the air temperature is too cold for oil or latex based paints to harden off properly. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder employed cleaning Upper Deck. 6.15am: Working Party for Barracks left ship – 4 Hands and 1 ~~~ 7.30am: Hands to breakfast and clean in No.4s Duty men in No.3s. 8.40am: Quarters clean guns. 9.05am: Turn over Ships Guard to H.M.S. Cricket. 9.15am: Hands fall in. Employed as required. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. Employed 2 Hands painting fore 6 inch gun. Remainder of hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: Special Leave to Starboard Watch from 4pm: until 10pm. 4.45pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e503: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0019_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e504: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0019_1.jpg) 23 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Still far too cold to be painting with either oil or latex based paints but the crew carry on applying it! 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder clean Upper Deck. 7.35am: Hands to breakfast and clean. 8.45am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.15am: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. 2 Hands employed painting after 6 inch gun. Remainder of hands employed as required. 4.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 5.00pm: till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 7.15pm: Picket left ship. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e505: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0020_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e506: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0020_1.jpg) 24 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Again the Cicala is taking on more coal than she has bunkerage for, so where is it all being put? 2.30am: Rounds Correct. 5.30am: Picket returned on board. 5.45am: Call Hands. 6.15am: Hands fall in for coaling ship. 7.00am: Hands to breakfast. 8.00am: Hands fall in, carry on coaling. 1.00pm: Hands fall in for coaling ship. 4.00pm: Finished coaling ship, 50 tons. 4.15pm: Tea. Leave to Starboard Watch from 5.00pm: till 10.00pm. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e507: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0021_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e508: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0021_1.jpg) 25 April 1919 Arkhangel [Arkhangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 It must be warming up – the page heading is written with pen and ink rather than a pencil. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning ship and as requisite. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean in No.4, Duty men clean in No.3. 8.45am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.15am: Hands fall in. Told off as requisite. 8.55am: Landed Ship’s Guard. Kelly, Stoker First Cass reported sick off duty. 1.15pm: Hands fall in employed as required. 4.00pm: Tea. Leave to port watch from 5pm: till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty Men. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e509: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0022_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0022_1.jpg) 26 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The Cicala receives substantial quantities of food today: 139 pounds of beef; 151 rabbits and 486 pounds of bread. The ‘draft’ boarding and leaving ship suggests that there has been a sizable change of Hands. 2.15am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Employed washing down the Upper Deck. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast and clean in No.4's Duty men No.3s. 9.10am: Hands fall in, cooks clean Mess Deck, remainder of hands as required. 11.15am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 12noon Dinner. Hands make and mend clothes. Leave to starboard watch from 1:30 to 10pm. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend. 4.30pm: Draft joined ship. 5.00pm: Draft left ship. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men aboard and pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0023_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0023_1.jpg) 27 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The air temperature is a balmy 40° Fahrenheit plus for all of the 24 hours although the sea remains frozen. The M23 and M25 are two of the British Monitor class ships. These are essentially floating gun platforms with no armour and underpowered for their size. The Monitors were to play an important part in the campaign. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 5.30am: Picket returned on board. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder clear up Upper Deck. 7.30am: Hands to Quarters clean guns. 8.00am: Hands to Breakfast and clean in No. 8.30am: Plate Party carry on. 9.10am: Clear up decks. 9.30am: Hands to divisions. Admiral’s inspection. 10.00am: Church of England Party landed. 10.15am: Russian working [party] of 11 hands working on board. 10.40am: Russian Working Party left [ship]. 10.50am: M25 & M23 left Dock Basin. 11.50am: Church of England [Party] returned. 12noon Leave to Port Watch from 1.30 till10pm. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 1.30pm: 1 Signals Rating and 2 Able Bodied Seamen joined ship. 5.00pm: One Rating joined [ship] Able Bodied Seaman from Smorny . 5.30pm: 2 Ratings left ship one Signals [rating] one Able bodied Seaman. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.30pm: One Leading Seaman joined ship. 7.15pm: Picket left ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0024_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0024_1.jpg) 28 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 5.30am: Picket returned on board. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck. Range tinder pedestal to be placed in position. Remainder of hands clear up Upper Deck. 7.15am: Quarters clean guns. 7.45am: Breakfast. 9.10am: Hands fall in. 6 hands employed painting ship, remainder of hands employed as required. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Told off as requisite. 1.45pm: 2 hands, Rosi, Able Bodied Seaman and Farmer, Signaller, left ship for hospital. 4.00pm: Leave to Watch 4.30 until 10pm. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.30pm: Cook’s Mate joined ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and piped down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e50f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0025_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e510: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0025_1.jpg) 29 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck, 1 leading Seaman and 2 hands placing splinter mattresses around bridge. Remainder cleaning up Upper Deck. 7.10am: Quarters clean guns. 7.30am: Breakfast. Hands clean into painting rig. 8.40am: Hands fall in, Employed painting ship. 8.50am: Took over Ship’s Guard. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall [in] employed painting ship and placing splinter mats. 4.00pm: Tea. Leave to Port Watch from 4.30 till 10pm. 5.00pm: Received 57 pounds fresh meat. 5.15pm: Turner Ch~ ~~~ left ship. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men returned on board and pipe down. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e511: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0026_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e512: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0026_1.jpg) 30 April 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The temperature is back down to around freezing again. What has happened to all that paint the hands were applying yesterday? In these temperatures the usual oil based paints will not be drying off to a proper finish. However, that does not seem to be stopping anyone from carrying on painting today. LOG NOTE: To all Quarter Masters. For Standing Orders see notice posted up in Chart Room. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck remainder employed cleaning Upper Deck. 7.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 8.00am: Breakfast and hands to clean m a painting rig. Duty men No.3s. 9.10am: Divisions. 9.30am: Hands to exercise Action Stations. 10.15am: Return gear. 10.30am: Hands fall in, employed as required. 11.00am: Fore 6 inch guns crew to drill. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Leading Seaman and 2 hands employed placing splinter mats, remainder of hands painting ship and as requisite. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 4.30 till 10pm. 4.30pm: Landed liberty men. 5.00pm: Returned winter clothing to Rodney Dom. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men returned on board and pipe down. LOGS FOR MAY 1919 4caf8558cadfd3419700e513: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0027_0.jpg) 4caf8558cadfd3419700e514: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0027_1.jpg) 1 May 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The log records one man on light duties and 2 in hospital today. According to the Frank S Taylor website the Insect class ships have a Sickbay but it has only 2 berths. Is this why men are in hospital rather than being treated on board? 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck. Remainder clean up Upper Deck. 7.30am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean. 9.15am: Hands to divisions. 9.20am: Hands fall in. Special duty men carry on. Leading Seaman and 2 hands placing splinter mats. Remainder removing matting off Upper Deck and as requisite. 10.30am: Exercised Actions Stations. Man Lewis and machine guns. 11.40am: 1 Stoker Rating joined ship. 12noon Hands make and mend. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.30pm: until 10pm. 4.00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 7.15pm: Picket left ship. 9.00pm: Rounds. 10.00pm: Pipe down. All liberty men on board. 4caf8558cadfd3419700e515: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0028_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e516: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0028_1.jpg) 2 May 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.20am: Rounds correct. 5.30am: Picket returned on board. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck. Leading Seaman Bakwell and 2 Hands carry on painting splinter mats. Provisions on after part of deck to be struck down below. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 8.00pm: Breakfast and clean. 9.15am: Divisions. Hands to General Quarters. Man Lewis and machine guns. 9.45am: 6 Hands employed painting. Gunlayers and trainers[?] to instruction. Remainder of hands employed as requisite. 1.15am: Hands fall in. 6 hands employed painting ship. Remainder as requisite. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift night clothing. 4.30pm: Special leave to Starboard Watch from 4.30 till 10pm. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e517: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0029_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e518: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0029_1.jpg) 3 May 1919 Solombola Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Despite weather records reporting the water around her as frozen, the Cicala is moved for the first time since December 1918. Today’s log contains another mystery name ‘Kathlun’ again the question is ship or place? LOG NOTE: To all Quarter Masters take Water Temperatures now we are out of docks. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, wash down Upper Deck. 1 Stoker Rating left ship for Kathlun. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean No.4. Special duty men No.3. 8.50am: Ship’s Guard landed. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder clean Upper Deck. 9.40am: 1 leading Seaman and 6 Hands working party aboard Glowworm. 10.15am: Working party returned on board. 11.15am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 12noon Hands to dinner. 1.25pm: Left Glowworm. 1.40pm: Tied up alongside crane ship. 2.20pm: Left base. 2.35pm: Picked up tug. 2.45pm: Left tug. 3.17pm: Tied up alongside Belgor. 3.35pm: ~~~ ~~~ arrived on board. 3.50pm: Commenced oiling. 3.55pm: Glowworm came alongside. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. 5.00pm: Hands fall in, employed about oiling and bringing aboard mails for ~~~. 6.45pm: Finished oiling, 33 tons. 7.00pm: Left oiler. 8.30pm: Arrived alongside Sobodony Quay. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e519: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0030_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0030_1.jpg) 4 May 1919 Arkhangel Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Wash down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Hands employed shifting ship. 8.30am: Hands to breakfast and clean in coaling rig. 9.45am: Hands fall in. Fore-part employed washing about Range Finder. After-part employed striking down coal from Upper Deck. 10.30am: Took over Jetty Sentry. 11.00am: Wash down after-part of Upper Deck. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 4.00pm: Tea and shift to night clothing. 6.00 Landed liberty men. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0031_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0031_1.jpg) 5 May 1919 Arkhangel Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Now we can see what the “Plate Party” was doing. They must have been working on armour plate to bring aboard the Cicala. The question is where is this armour to be fitted? When looking for photographs of the Cicala from this period watch out for her pennant, ‘C1’ painted on her bow. If you do not see this then you are probably looking at an image from after 1919. The Russian place names can be very difficult to identify. The one reasonably clear place name is Bobrovo. This tells us that the Cicala is heading up river rather than out to sea. The first hand report of the naval operations in North Russia contained in the Naval Review of February 1921 does include some useful maps that may assist. The command “Out pipes” is the counter part to the command “Stand easy”. It simply indicates that a rest break is over and that it is time for the crew to return to work. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 5.40am: H.M.S. Cockchafer left Sobodony Quay for sea. 6.00am: Call Hands. 6.30am: Hands fall in, after Guard house to be slung for going on shore, cooks scrub Mess Decks. Clear up decks. Slings to be ready for hoisting out plates. 7.40am: H.M.S. Glowworm left Sobodony Quay for Smolny. 8.00am: Breakfast. Took Guard off Jetty. 9.05am: Shoved off from Saborma[?] Wharf. 9.35am: Tied up alongside Smolny Jetty. 9.45am: Hands employed getting boats, armoured plates and gear on jetty. 10.15am: Chief Armourer left ship for Smolny Barracks. 11.00am: Guard house taken out and put on Jetty. 12noon 1 Able Bodied Seaman joined ship. 12.45pm: Left Smolny Jetty and proceeded full speed. 1.40pm: Hands fall in. Hands employed washing down Upper Deck. 2.20pm: Vessel took ground off Bozonezovo, engines reversed; ship turned and came off at 2.22. Ship examined no damage and wells dry. Soft mud. 2.30pm: Stand easy. 2.40pm: Out pipes. Hands carry on part[?] of ship. 2.45pm: ~yavlyn Point abeam. 3.20pm: Bobrovo abeam. 3.50pm: Chisub~ha Point abeam. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. Shift into night clothing. Blue caps to be worn until further notice. 5.00pm: Lovgostiro Church [Lukovetskiy?] abeam. 7.00pm: Cooks to the galley. 9.15pm: Hands darken ship. 10.15pm: Anchored in 11 fathoms. Let go Port anchor and brought to 4 shackles. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0032_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0032_1.jpg) 6 May 1919 Dvina River Lat 63.98, Long 41.74 While the given location is no doubt accurate, it is far from precise. The Dvina River is a very long waterway! However, there are good place names: Pianda – which appears to be a phonetic spelling of Pyanda – and Beresnik [Bereznik]. Both are locations on the North Dvina River. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 2.30am: Called Starboard Watch. 2.50am: Watch on Forecastle. 3.10am: Up anchor and proceeded up river. 3.45am: Called Watch. 6.30am: Call Hands. 6.40am: Piped breakfast. 7.45am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck remainder scrub Upper Deck. 9.00am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.25am: Return rags. 9.30am: Hands to divisions. Hands employed in part of ship as required. 10.20am: Stand easy. Hands carry on smoking. 10.30am: Out pipes. Hands carry on work. 10.40am: Clean lower deck. 11.00am: Exercise Action [Stations]. 11.25am: Secure [from Action Stations]. 11.30am: Afternoon Watch move to dinner. 12noon Starboard Watch on Forecastle. 12.05pm: Lowered boat to take raft in tow. 12.10pm: Dropped anchor. 12.15pm: Up anchor. 12.55pm: Piped dinner. 2.15pm: Let go Port anchor off Pianda [Pyanda]. 2.20pm: Clear lower deck. Haul raft alongside. 3.10pm: Anchor away. 5.00pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 3 shackles. 5.30pm: Secured raft ashore. 5.50pm: Weighed and proceeded. 6.40pm: Hands to stations for going alongside. 6.45pm: Made fast alongside barge – Beresnik [Bereznik]. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.30pm: Darken ship. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e51f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0033_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e520: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0033_1.jpg) 7 May 1919 Dvina River to River Vaga Lat 62.94, Long 42.60 The preparation for action starts very early. However, things only get exciting towards the end of the day when the Cicala opens fire on enemy positions. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck, 6 Hands with Gunners Mate employed filling Maxim belts and working in magazines, remainder of hands employed cleaning Upper and Battery Decks. 8.00am: Hands to clean. H.M.S. Glowworm tied up alongside Jetty. 9.15am: Hands fall in. Employed placing ammunition round the guns. 11.20am: Left Beresnik [Bereznik]. Exercise Action Stations. 11.27am: Piped dinner. 12.40pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles in at ~norfaigo. 3 fathoms of water 12.50pm: Lowered skiff. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. 12 Hands working about magazines. Remainder of Hands clear up decks. 2.10pm: Hoisted and secured skiff. 2.15pm: Weighed and proceeded. 2.20pm: Action Stations. 2.30pm: Stand easy. 3.30pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles in 4 fathoms water. 5.00pm: Opened fire on enemy positions. 6.30pm: Cease fire. Weigh anchor. 7.20pm: Let go Port anchor and veered 2 shackles. 7.30pm: 6 inch gun crews return ammunition. 8.35pm: Landed liberty men until 10pm. 10.00pm: Liberty men returned on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e521: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0034_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e522: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0034_1.jpg) 8 May 1919 River Vaga to Plis Lat 62.77, Long 43.10 Satellite images of the area around the River Vaga show the presence of oxbow lakes. The landscape is filled with these features some of which are relatively new and complete, while others are much older and have been reduced to short remnants. The presence of well-formed oxbow lakes implies that the course of the river that we see in these maps and photographs may be very different in places to its course in 1919. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Decks remainder cleaning out boats and clearing up Upper Deck. 8.20am: Hands to clean in No.4s Duty men No.3s. 9.30am: Quarters clean guns. 9.50am: Clear Lower Deck. 10.00am: Hands fall in, 5 hands working with Gunners Mate, remainder employed as requisite. 10.20am: Weighed and proceeded. 10.25am: Hands to Action Stations. 11.15am: Let go Port anchor, veered to 2 shackles in 5 fathoms water. 11.40am: Cooks. 11.45am: Dinner. 1.50pm: Opened fire. ~~~irect firing. Foremost 6 inch and two 3 inch. 2.45pm: Finished firing. 2.27pm: Watch on Forecastle up anchor. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. 6.20pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 3 shackles in 5 fathoms water. 6.30pm: Lowered lifeboat. 7.00pm: H.M.S. Glowworm arrived. 7.30pm: Hoisted lifeboat. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e523: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0035_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e524: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0035_1.jpg) 9 May 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.77, Long 43.10 The Lily referred to in this day’s log is a mystery. The 1919 Naval List shows crew allocated to a Lily based at Portsmouth and suggests that there is another Lily (possibly the HMAS Lily) based in Malta. 12.00am: Fore 3 inch guns crew closed up. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 4.50am: Lily got under way. 7.00am: Hands fall in, employed as required. 8.00am: Breakfast. 9.10am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in, 7 hands working with Gunners Mate getting up ammunition, Leading Seaman and 8 hands working about Bridge and Battery Deck, remainder about Upper Deck. 12noon Hands to dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. After 6 inch guns crew to drill, remainder of hands employed painting ship. 4,00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 6.10pm: H.M.S. Cricket got under way. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e525: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0036_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e526: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0036_1.jpg) 10 May 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.77, Long 43.10 For a discussion on archaic units of measure like shackle and fathom see http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/units/length.htm#sea The verb to veer in the context of working with a chain or cable has the special meaning of letting out slack. So ‘veered to 2 shackles’ in the 12.24pm: log entry means that anchor chain is the Cicala goes astern until a total length of 2 shackles of anchor chain has been paid out. Pless has been provisionally identified with the modern name Plyoso (lat. 62.70, long.43.32) by using the diagram: of the ‘Dvina River from Bereznik to Topski’ in the February1921 edition of Naval Review and comparing the shape of the channel and islands with the maps of the area on Google Maps. This identification is only provisional because there is clear evidence in the Google images of the area that indicates that the Dvina River is changing its course over the years – possibly even the seasons. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Employed painting ship. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean in Painting Rig. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Employed cleaning Mess Deck and painting ship. 11.25am: Up anchor. 11.30am: Action Stations. 12.24pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles in 3 fathoms water. 12.40pm: Boats come alongside with Army ~~~. 2.30pm: Tug left ship with soldiers on board. 3.20pm: Weighed and proceeded. 3.25pm: Hands to Action Stations. Loaded 3 inch guns. 3.40pm: Unloaded and secured. 3.50pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 3 shackles in 5 fathoms water at Pless [Plyoso]. Lowered life boat. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Piped down. 12midnight After 3 inch guns crew closed up. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e527: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0037_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e528: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0037_1.jpg) 11 May 1919 Pliss [Plyoso], Dvina River Lat 62.70, Long 43.31 The M23 referred to in the log entries below is a small warship with overlarge guns known as a Monitor. The Royal Navy does not appear to have named these ships but rather referred to them by a simple reference number. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 4.00am: After 3 inch guns crew fell out. 7.10am: H.M.S. Cricket got under way. 7.30am: Lowered life boat. 7.40am: Interpreters left ship. 8.00am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 8.10am: H.M.S. Glowworm got under way. 8.15am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder clear up Upper Deck. 9.30am: Hands to clean No.3s. 10.00am: Divisions. 12noon M23 got under way. Dinner. 2.00pm: Landed football party. 3.20pm: M23 dropped anchor. 3.30pm: H.M.S. Glowworm dropped anchor. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift to night clothing. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. Gave to Port Watch from 5 to 7pm. 7.00pm: All liberty men returned on board. 7.20pm: Hoisted skiff. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e529: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0038_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0038_1.jpg) 12 May 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.70, Long 43.31 It is a cold day. The air temperature never rises above freezing. Again the crew are set to painting in conditions where oil based paint is not going to dry properly. It is possible that this activity is about applying the green coloured paint that has been selected as camouflage. The object being to make the outline of the ship less easy to pick out against the green of the vegetation that surrounds the river. There is some information about the Kathleen in the Naval Review Arcticle. Its author says of her: “Back to Brezenik where we saw Kathleen arriving from Archangel for S.N.O.’s use. Kathleen probably started her career in the Solent and was a typical little Cowes steam: yacht, with good quarters, a convenient little galley, and a diminutive bathroom, a luxury indeed under these active service conditions. Unfortunately an effort had been made to turn her into a fighting ship and she was a pathetic spectacle […] she was soon restored to a more dignified and yacht like appearance and S.N.O.’s pennant was transferred to her.” Consequently, the presence of the Kathleen – her name misspelt in the log – implies that Captain E Altman, Senior Naval Officer Dvina River was present at this time. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 4.00am: Guns crew fell out. 7.00am: Hands fall in, 4 hands rigging stage for painting ships side, remainder clearing up Upper Deck, cooks clean Mess Deck. 7.00am: H.M.S. Cockchafer got under way. 8.30am: M23 got under way. 9.00am: Lowered skiff. 9.10am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.20am: Hands fall in. Fore 6 inch guns crew to drills. Remainder of hands employed painting ships side. 10.40am: Fore 6 inch guns crew to drill. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 3.40pm: H.M.S. Cricket arrived and anchored. 4.00pm: Tea and hands shift [to] night clothing. 4.30pm: M23 anchored. Leave to Starboard Watch from 5pm: to 7pm. 4.40pm: Cathleen got under way. 5.00pm: 1 signal rating joined ship. Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: H.M.S. Cricket weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 8.00pm: After 6 inch guns crew fell in. Cathleen left M23. 10.00pm: Pipe down. After 6 inch guns crew detailed off for keeping 1 by ~~~s through the night. 11.00pm: Kathaline tied up alongside M23. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0039_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0039_1.jpg) 13 May 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.70, Long 43.31 Phonetic spellings may be getting in the way again here. The ‘Vargo River’ is the ‘Vaga River’ as is confirmed by the log entries for the next day. It is very difficult to work out exactly what was being achieved today although it is clear that the Cicala was preparing to defend itself as well as to take offensive action. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 5.45am: Called hands. 6.00am: Breakfast. 6.30am: Skiff left ship for H.M.S. Glowworm. 6 inch guns crew get up18 rounds of HE No.4~ fuze. 6.45am: Hands fall in, employed clearing ship for action. Remainder weigh anchor. 7.00am: The doctor and gunner joined ship from H.M.S. Glowworm. Skiff hoisted. 7.08am: Hands to Action Stations. 7.12am: After 6 inch, After 3 inch [guns crews] fall out. 10.15am: Let go Port anchor. 12.15pm: Anchor weighed. 1.20pm: Cease fire and secure. 1.25pm: Dropped Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles in 3 fathoms of water. 2.45pm: Lowered skiff. 3.15pm: Hoisted skiff. 4.00pm: 3 inch gun crew and No.1 Starboard Maxim manned. 5.20pm: Watch on Forecastle up anchor. 6.30pm: Alongside H.M.S. Cockchafer. 6.50pm: Lowered skiff. 7.30pm: Let go Port anchor. 8.50pm: Weighed and proceeded. 9.00pm: Hoisted and secured skiff. 10.55pm: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles in 3½ fathoms water, Vargo River entrance. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0040_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0040_1.jpg) 14 May 1919 Vaga River Lat 62.82, Long 42.87 Interesting day. First, the Cicala’s crew recognise that her stern is swinging over to the beach and act to prevent this happening. Then she rescues a tug that appears to have ended up on the beach. 12.05am: Stern swinging on to beach. 12.15am: Weighed anchor. 12.30am: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Hands fall in. Employed preparing ship to tow. 6.25am: Anchor weighed. 6.35am: Let go anchor. 9.00am: Dropped anchor, one shackle. 10.00am: Hands to breakfast. 10.45am: Hands fall in. Employed getting ship ready for towing and getting wood on board. 12noon Hands employed, ship starting towing tug off beach. 12.45pm: Hands to dinner. 3.15pm: Navy Tug 6 came alongside. 4.15pm: Hands fall in, employed towing tug off beach. 5.40pm: Navy Tug 6 left. 8.10pm: Eased out Towing Pennant. 8.12pm: Up anchor. 8.15pm: Let go anchor. 8.30 Carryed [sic] away both ~~~. 8.35pm: Let go anchor. 1 shackles. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e52f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0041_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e530: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0041_1.jpg) 15 May 1919 River Vaga Lat 62.79, Long 42.87 2.00am: Rounds correct. 3.30am: Navy Tug 6 came alongside to report. 5.05am: Weighed and proceeded. 6.30am: Called hands. 6.45am: Hands to breakfast and clean. 8.00am: Hands fall in. 9.15am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.45am: Return rags. 9.50am: Hands fall in, employed getting ready to go alongside lighter. 10.05am: Secured alongside oil lighter – proceeding up river. 10.15am: Hands fall in. Employed oiling ship. 11.30am: Afternoon watchmen to dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Hands employed oiling ship, overhauling blocks and shackles. 3.30pm: First gig[?] watchman to tea. 6.15pm: Cooks to the galley. 7.00pm: Supper. 8.30pm: Cast off tugs. 8.45pm: Tied up alongside H.M.S. Cricket with oil lighter. 9.20pm: Left Bresnik. 10.00pm: Anchored in Vaga opposite stranded tug 3½ fathoms [at]2 2 shackles. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e531: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0042_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e532: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0042_1.jpg) 16 May 1919 River Vaga Lat 62.77, Long 42.83 Rescue another tug that has ended up on a beach. 2.25am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Interpreter landed in skiff. 7.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean into No.4. 8.15am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck, remainder of hands employed preparing to tow Navy Tug off beach. 9.30am: Anchor away. 9.45am: Let go Starboard anchor, passed wire to Navy Tug for towing. 12.20pm: Navy Tug towed off beach. 1.30pm: Weighed and proceeded. Navy Tug 118 in tow alongside. 2.05pm: Hands to stations going alongside. Starboard Watch topped back skiff. 2.15pm: Secured alongside at Beresnik [Bereznik]. 4.00pm: Tea. Hands shift [into] night clothing. 5.10pm: Hands to stations for leaving harbour. 5.20pm: Left Beresnik [Bereznik]. 6.30pm: Let go Starboard anchor and veered to 1½ shackles in 2 fathoms. 7.00pm: Gave leave from 7pm: till 10pm. Shifted billet into deep water. 8.00pm: Hoisted sea boat. 10.00pm: All liberty men returned on board and pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e533: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0043_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e534: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0043_1.jpg) 17 May 1919 Ustuigh Lat 62.74, Long 42.84 The dreaded phonetics strike again! The next day’s log has the correct spelling for the Cicala’s location – Ust Vaga [Ust’-Vaga]. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in, employed clearing up decks, cooks clean Mess Deck. 8.00am: Breakfast. 9.40am: Weighed and proceeded. 9.45am: Action Stations. 10.45am: Let go Starboard anchor and veered to 1 shackle in 2½ fathoms. 2.00pm: Starboard Watch fall in, employed securing stern of ship. 5.35pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 6.20pm: Dropped anchor. 6.25pm: Lowered ~~~ boat and skiff. 7.00pm: Supper. Landed liberty men. 7.30pm: Landed liberty men. Pilot went on shore. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00am: All liberty men on board and piped down. Anti aircraft gun crew closed up around foremost 3 inch gun. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e535: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0044_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e536: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0044_1.jpg) 18 May 1919 Ust Vaga [Ust’-Vaga], Vaga River Lat 62.74, Long 42.84 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Anti aircraft gun crew fell out. 7.15am: Hands to breakfast. 8.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning boats and clearing up Upper Deck, cooks clean Mess Deck. 9.55am: Hands to clean in No.3s. 10.15am: Divisions. 11.00am: Skiff left ship with 1st Lieutenant[?]. 12noon Dinner. 1.30pm: Leave to Port Watch till 10pm. Landed liberty men. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 8.05pm: Life boat left ship. 8.20pm: Army Officers came on board. 9.00am: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e537: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0045_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e538: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0045_1.jpg) 19 May 1919 Ust Vaga [Ust’-Vaga], Vaga River Lat 62.71, Long 42.90 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Boats crews clean boats out. Remainder of hands employed washing down Upper Deck and cleaning Battery and Bridge Decks. 9.45am: Skiff left ship to pick up Military Officer. 10.20am: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 10.50am: Let go Starboard anchor. 12noon Dinner. 12.40pm: Weighed and proceeded. 1.30pm: Dropped anchor, 1 shackle [in] 2½ fathoms water. 1.35pm: secured stern of ship to beach[?]. 1.50pm: Hands fall in, employed as required. 2.40pm: Sighted Bolo aeroplane. 3.00pm: Sighted Bolo aeroplane. 4.00pm: Tea. 6.00pm: Anti Aircraft guns crew closed up. 8.15pm: Landed signalman at Kejenakoyska[?]. 9.00am: Rounds correct. 11.00pm: Royal Navy Tug came alongside with Military Officer. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e539: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0046_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0046_1.jpg) 20 May 1919 Vaga River Lat 62.58, Long 42.95 The Cicala comes under return fire when she opens up with her 6 inch guns on Kitsa. Unable to locate Sulitso but to be able to target Kitsa it must be somewhere around 1km of the target. There are photographs giving an idea of the terrain near the Vaga River on mapcarta.com. Try this link to see some images associated with modern Kitsa. 1.15am: Opened fire on various enemy positions. 2.10am: Watch on Forecastle up anchor. 2.11am: Ceased firing. Proceeded up river. 2.40am: In touch with army patrols. 3.40am: Opened fire on Kitsa. Enemy replied. 4.30am: Secure. 4.45am: Let go Starboard anchor at Sulitso. 5.00am: Opened fire Aft 6 inch gun on Kitso. 5.05am: Cease fire. 10:45am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 11.15am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Upper Deck and as requisite. 12noon Hands to make and mend clothes. 12.45pm: Ship dragging anchor. 12.50pm: Weighed anchor. 1.15pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 2¼ fathoms. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift [into] night clothing. 6.20pm: Fired 1 rounds 6 inch on Kitsa. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Piped down. Anti Aircraft guns crew closed up. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0047_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0047_1.jpg) 21 May 1919 Varga River Lat 62.71, Long 42.90 2.20am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in, fore part clear up forward, after part wash down aft, skiff crew clean boat out remainder of hands clean up Battery Deck and bridge. 8.00am: Breakfast. 9.10am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Divisions. 9.35am: Hands fall in, 4 hands working with Armourer on foremost 6 inch gun, 2 hands painting out lifeboat, remainder employed as requisite, 1 hand cleaning out skiff. 1.15pm: Weighed anchor. Hands employed with Armourer on after 6 inch gun hands painting lifeboat remainder part of ship. 3.50pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 2½ fathoms of water. 4.00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 5.35pm: H.M.S. Cricket tied up alongside. 7.55pm: H.M.S. Cricket left alongside. 8.05pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Piped down, Anti Aircraft guns crews closed up. 11.00pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 3½ fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0048_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0048_1.jpg) 22 May 1919 Pless [Plyoso] and Dvina River Lat 62.76, Long 43.09 For the first time the place name Gunners Bridge is mentioned in the Cicala’s log. Gunners Bridge is never associated with a local place name in this log. However, the log of the monitor M33 associates Gunners Bridge with the name Kurgomin Base. An alternative spelling ‘Kurgomen’ matches a location shown on the sketch map “Dvina River from Bereznik to Topski” in the Naval Review Arcticle previously cited. Comparing that map with Google maps has provided the position information given above. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Called hands. 6.45am: Hands fall in. 7.05am: Watch on Forecastle up anchor. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast. 8.10am: Let go Port anchor, 1 shackle in 3 fathoms water. 9.00am: Mail arrived on board. 9.15am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.50am: Hands fall in, employed as required. 12noon Dinner. Hands make and mend clothes. 2.30pm: Left Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen]. 3.10pm: Passed Pless [Plyso]. 4.45pm: Hands up lifeboat. Turn in boats. 4.50pm: Hands to stations for going alongside. 5.00pm: Alongside barge at Beresnisk [Bereznik]. 5.15pm: Starboard Watch stand by to let go. 5.20pm: Left Beresnisk [Bereznik]. Fore part Starboard Watch muster on Quarter Deck. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e53f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0049_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e540: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0049_1.jpg) 23 May 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Now using the anglicised version of the Russian name. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 3.45am: Called Duty Watch. 4.40am: Moored alongside H.M.S. Fox. 5.50am: Interpreter left ship. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. 3 Hands employed clearing up Battery Deck remainder of hands employed washing down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Hands to clean No.4s and white caps. 9.15am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in. 4 hands working about 6 inch guns remainder as requisite. 11.20am: Captain inspected ship. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in employed as required. Lowered sea boat to fetch provisions. 3.00pm: Wine stores in. 4.00pm: Tea. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 7.00pm: 3 Ratings joined ship. 2 Able Bodied Seaman and 1 Signaller. 7.15pm: 1 Leading Telegrapher[?] joined ship. 8.00pm: 2 Ratings, Able Bodied Seamen, left ship for H.M.S. Fox. 8.10pm: Concert party left ship for H.M.S. Cyclops. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Concert party returned on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e541: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0050_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e542: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0050_1.jpg) 24 May 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Chief Armourer of H.M.S. Fox working about foremost 6 inch gun. 6.20am: Hands fall in, stations for shifting ship. 6.30am: Shifted ship. Tied up ahead of H.M.S. Fox. 7.00am: Breakfast. 8.00am: Left Sabomin[?] Quay. 8.35am: Moored alongside Smolney Quay. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck, remainder of hands employed disembarking towing cable and as requisite. 12.40pm: Left Smolney Quay. 1.15pm: Tied up alongside Bakuritsa No.16 Jetty. 1.20pm: Hands employed ammunitioning ship. 4.50pm: Left Bakuritsa. 5.30pm: Made fast alongside S.S. Bengal. 5.35pm: Hand in hoses oil ship. 7.05pm: Oiling completed, 47 tons. 7.10pm: left alongside S.S. Bengal. 7.35pm: Tied up alongside Subonua[?] Jetty, coal barge came alongside. 8.00pm: Sentry posted on jetty. Landed liberty [men] until10pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e543: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0051_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e544: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0051_1.jpg) 25 May 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 6.40am: Cooks to Galley. 6.45am: Breakfast. 8.00am: Hands fall in. 9.15am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands to clean No.3. 9.45am: Clear up decks. 10.00am: Divisions. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.00 until 10pm. Landed liberty men. 4.00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 5.00pm: Liberty men fall in. 5.05pm: 4 hands from duty watch to go to H.M.S. Fox for medical stores. 6.00pm: Liberty men fall in. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e545: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0052_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e546: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0052_1.jpg) 26 May 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The 24 May log records receiving 336 pounds of onions. This log records that 336 pounds of onions are condemned. Is this indicative of problems with local suppliers? Supplies are being obtained in large quantities. The Cicala’s crew number around 50 yet the log records 670 pounds of bread being received today. The entry regarding ’H.M.S. Bacchuss’ is interesting. The spelling error is obvious but the name appears to be inappropriate for a Navy vessel. One possibility is that the Cicala met the ‘Royal Fleet Auxiliary Bacchus’ built in 1915. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Hands fall in for coaling ship. 8.00am: Breakfast. 8.55am: Hands fall in to carry on coaling ship. 10.15am: Completed coaling 32 tons. 10.35am: Stand easy. 10.45am: Out pipes. Both watches for exercise fall in. Hands employed washing down. 11.55am: Left Sorbornia Quay. 12.05pm: Made fast alongside H.M.S. Bacchuss. 1.45pm: Hands fall in, employed taking in stores. 3.45pm: Left Baccaus. 4.15pm: Tied up alongside Saborna Jetty. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men until 10pm. Starboard Watch. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down all liberty men on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e547: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0053_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e548: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0053_1.jpg) 27 May 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 It seems that the Fox refused the ratings sent to her for detention as they appear to come straight back to the Cicala. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 5.50am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck remainder of hands employed cleaning the Upper and Battery Deck. 6:15am: Left jetty at Archangel [Arkangelsk]. 7.05am: Hands to breakfast. 7.35am: 6 inch guns crew close up to test guns. 9.00am: Hands fall in employed as requisite. 10.30am: Tied up alongside jetty [at] Archangel [Arkangelsk]. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: One rating joined ship from H.M.S. Fox. 2.08pm: Left Sombornia Quay. 2.15pm: Made fast alongside S.S. Bengal. 2.30pm: 2 Ratings left ship for H.M.S. Fox for detention. 2 Ratings sent to H.M.S. Fox for detention re-joined ship. 2.45pm: Completed oiling 15 tons. 3.16pm: Left S.S. Bengal. 3.35pm: Made fast alongside H.M.S. Bacchuss. 4.15pm: Left H.M.S. Bacchuss one rating left [ship] sent to H.M.S. Bacchus for H.M.S. Fox. 7.00pm: Hands to supper. 8.15pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 2½ fathoms. 8.22pm: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e549: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0054_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0054_1.jpg) 28 May 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen] Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in employed clearing up decks, one in skiff and lifeboat. 7.55am: Cooks [to Galley]. 8.00am: Breakfast. 9.10am: Quarters clean guns. 9.40am: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 10.00am: Stand easy. 10.40am: Pipes out. Hands carry on with work. 11.30am: Dinner. 1.10pm: Let go Starboard [an]chored in 2 fathoms. 1.30pm: 8 Officers, 2 Ratings and stores left ship for remainder of flotilla. Pilot left ship. 4.00pm: Tea and shift [into] night clothing. 5.40pm: Gunner joined ship from H.M.S. Glowworm. 6.15pm: Hands fall in, employed getting in ammunition. 7.00pm: Hands to supper. 7.30pm: Hands fall in, employed getting 7.5 ammunition into lighter. 9.30pm: Completed 7.5 ammunition. 9.45pm: Ammunition lighter cast off. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 10.40pm: Fore part of Watch muster on Forecastle. Ship dragging [anchor]. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0055_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0055_1.jpg) Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], River Dvina Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 The reference to ‘eye splicing 3½ wire’ interests this old Boy Scout who was pretty good at rope work. There is a discussion of some of the issues of wire rope and how to terminate its ends safely here on Wikipedia. The unit is missing from the log entry but it is almost certainly inches. The quoted 3½ inches is not the diameter of the rope but its circumference. This measure implies a rope diameter of just over one inch. The convention is that ropes of more than one inch in diameter are specified by their circumference. The stranded structure of ropes makes it difficult to measure the diameter of larger ropes accurately but their circumference can be measured with a good degree of accuracy using a simple tape measure. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Employed washing down Upper Deck. 8.05am: Breakfast. 9.15am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in, 5 hands at machine gun instruction under C.G.M [Chief Gunners Mate?], 2 hands and Leading Seaman eye splicing 3½ wire, remainder as requisite. 12noon Dinner. Hands make and mend. 4.00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 6:30pm: Enemy shelling village on right bank and island ahead. 7.00pm: Hands to supper. 7:30pm: Enemy ceased firing. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. Hands hoist lifeboat. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0056_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0056_1.jpg) 30 May 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], River Dvina Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Leading Seaman and 8 hands splicing 3½ [inch] wire. Remainder as requisite. 8.10am: One Wireless Rating lent to M25. 9.15am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Clean lower deck. 9.32am: Exercise Action [Stations]. 9.40am: Hands to Collision Stations. 10.20am: Return stores. 10.30am: Up anchor. Exercise landing party Russian rifles. 10.40am: Dropped anchor in ¼ less 3 fathoms veered to 2 shackles. 11.25am: Stand easy. 11.35am: Out pipes. Clean up decks. 12noon Hands to dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in, employed refitting and as requisite. 4.30pm: Special leave to Port Watch. Landed liberty men. 6.30pm: Liberty men returned on board. 8.35pm: Hoisted lifeboat. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e54f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0057_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e550: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0057_1.jpg) 31 May 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], Dvina River Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 A busy day towing supply barges around on the Dvina River. Plenty of letting go and weighing anchors. If you are wondering what some of this is about then follow this link to Wikipedia where you can learn more about anchor technique and jargon. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 6.45am: Secured alongside oil barge Port side. 7.15am: Proceeded alongside oil barge Starboard side. 7.20am: Commenced oiling from barge on Port side. 7.25am: Proceeded to anchorage with 2 oil barges in tow. 7.40am: Let go Starboard anchor and veered to 3 shackles at Pless [Plyso]. 7.50am: Hands to breakfast and clean ~~~. 9.05am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck. Remainder clean Upper Deck. 9.30am: Weighed anchor with two lighters in tow. 11.05am: Let go Starboard lighter. 11.10am: Let go Port lighter. 11.20am: Let go Starboard anchor in 3 fathoms. 11.30am: Hands employed washing down decks. 12.05pm: Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 1.45pm: Hands fall in. 2.20pm: Shortened in cable. 2.25pm: Special duty men to their stations. 2.30pm: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 2.35pm: Stand easy. 2.45pm: Hands carry on with work. 3.20pm: Dropped Starboard anchor under foot and weighed. 3.25pm: Secured coal barge alongside Port side. 3.40pm: Secured stores barge alongside Starboard side. 3.55pm: Proceeded to Gunners bridge [Kurgomen]. 5.00pm: Let go Port barge. 5.07pm: Let go Starboard barge. 5.15pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 2 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. LOGS FOR JUNE 1919 4caf8559cadfd3419700e551: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0058_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e552: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0058_1.jpg) 1 June 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], Dvina River Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.45am: Hands fall in, skiffmen clean skiff, cooks clean Mess Deck, 1 hand painting Conning Tower, remainder cleaning up decks. 8.00am: Quarters clean guns. 8.20am: Breakfast, clean No.3s Signalmen dress ship. 9.30am: Clearing up decks. 9.45am: Divisions. 10.00am: Usual Sunday’s Routine. 2.20pm: Football party left ship. One Rating joined ship from M25. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift into night clothing. 5.25pm: Football party returned on board. 7.20pm: M25 shifted anchorage. 9.05pm: Anchor away. 9.30pm: Passed wires to Monitor No.23. 9.40pm: Let go M23. 9.45pm: Let go anchor. 10.45pm: Passed wires to M23 for towing. 10.50pm: H.M.S. Glowworm and H.M.S. Cockchafer let go anchor astern. 11.40pm: Alongside M23 secured for towing. 11.50pm: M23 let go anchor. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e553: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0059_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e554: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0059_1.jpg) 2 June 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], Dvina River Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 The Monitors are a class ship that is basically a floating gun platform. They have big guns with no armour and are underpowered. Their lack of power and manoeuvrability that is probably leading to the Cicala towing the M23 by her side. The Insect class gunboats draw less water than the Monitors, have engines capable of driving them at up to 14 knots and large, double rudders, for excellent manoeuvrability in shallow river waters. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 2.45am: Enemy opened fire. 5.00am: Under way. Towed M23. 5.40am: M23 dropped anchor. 7.00am: Called hands. 7.15am: Hands to breakfast. Rig of day No.4s. 8.20am: Hands fall in. Hands employed cleaning up Upper Deck, cooks clean Mess Deck. 9.35am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Stand easy. 10.15am: Hands fall in. 6 inch guns crews close up for drill, lifeboats crew lower boat and proceeded to H.M.S. Cricket for mail. 12noon Dinner. 1.00pm: Hostile aeroplane sighted. M25 & H.M.S. Glowworm opening fire. 4.00pm: Tea and shift into night clothing. 7.00pm: Hands go to supper. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e555: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0060_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e556: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0060_1.jpg) 3 June 1919 Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen], Dvina River Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 The Cicala seems to be acting as a tug. She does not record playing any active role in the early hour’s engagement. Instead she waits for the cease fire then starts moving things around. Nothing appears to be moving through any great distance. Is the point of the exercise to make sure that the enemy gunners have not managed to get the range of any of these assets? There is nothing in the log to give us any insight into the plan. However, this does explain why so many hands were engaged in preparing wire ropes on 29 May 1919 and the days following. This must all be a part of a plan of action. 1:30am: Army opened fire on enemy positions. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 2.35am: M25, H.M.S. Cockchafer and H.M.S. Glowworm opened fire on enemy gunboats and return shots from enemy. 3.55am: Cease firing. 6.40am: Proceeded to tow M23. 7.00am: M23 dropped anchor. 7.15am: Cast off from M23. 7.40am: Secured alongside oil barge and commenced towing. 8.05am: Let go lighter. 8.35am: Took oil lighter in tow. 8.55am: Anchored lighter. 9.10am: Alongside M23. 9.15am: Let go. 9.30am: Let go Starboard anchor in 4 fathoms. 10.15am: Quarters Clean Guns. 10.45am: Hands fall in. 6 inch gunners to drill. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in, foremost 6 inch guns crew at instructions, remainder as requisite. Skiff crew clean out skiff. 2.55pm: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 3.20pm: Secured alongside M23. 3.30pm: Proceeded to tow M23 to Pless [Plyso]. 5.00pm: Left M23 anchored in 3 fathoms and proceeded. 6.00pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 5 fathoms. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e557: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0061_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e558: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0061_1.jpg) 4 June 1919 Red Beacon Pool, Dvina River [Near Kurgomen] Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 The approximate location of Red Beacon Pool is given on page 141 of the 1921 Naval Review. “The river was falling daily and it was only with great struggles that the deeper draught ships of the flotilla could jump the last bars, but they all managed to get through except our poor old veteran M. 25, the deepest draught of the lot, who had to be left some five or six miles back in Red Beacon Pool off Kourgomen.” 12.15am: Duty Anti-Aircraft guns crew closed up. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 2.15am: Enemy opened fire on gunboat H.M.S. Cockchafer. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck, remainder of hands employed cleaning Upper and Battery Decks. 8.00am: Hands to clean in No.4s Duty men No.3s. 9.10am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in. Told off as requisite. 11.20am: H.M.S. Glowworm got under way. 11.25am: H.M.S. Cricket got under way. 12noon Dinner. 1.05pm: Special Duty men to stations up anchor. 1.10pm: Alongside coaling lighter. 1.12pm: Hands fall in for coaling. 1.15pm: Hands coal ship. 4.30pm: Finished coaling 22 tons. 4.40pm: Left coaling lighter. 4.50pm: Let go Starboard anchor in 2 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 5.00pm: Hands to tea. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Arial guns crew close up. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e559: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0062_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0062_1.jpg) 5 June 1919 Red Beacon Pool, Dvina River [Near Kurgomen] Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 2.00am: Rounds correct. 4.15am: Sunk loaded mine with rifle fire. 6.00am: Guns crew fall out, lookout remaining at masthead. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck, remainder of hands wash down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Breakfast. 9.10am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in. 3 inch guns crews to instructions, remainder of hands employed as requisite. 11.40am: H.M.S. Cockchafer got under way. 11.50am: H.M.S. Cockchafer opened fire on the enemy. 12.25pm: H.M.S. Glowworm got under way. 12.50pm: M25 got under way. 1.50pm: M25 dropped anchor. 2.00pm: H.M.S. Glowworm dropped anchor. 2.15pm: Enemy ceased fire. 4.00pm: Hands to tea and shift into night clothing. 4.45pm: One Chief Petty Officer left ship to join H.M.S. Glowworm. 7.25pm: Enemy opened fire. 7.30pm: H.M.S. Cockchafer returned enemy’s fire. 8.00pm: H.M.S. Cockchafer dropped anchor. 9.45pm: Hoisted lifeboat. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 10.45pm: H.M.S. Cockchafer moored alongside M25. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0063_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0063_1.jpg) 6 June 1919 Red Beacon Pool, Dvina River [Near Kurgomen] Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Called hands. 6.25am: Watch on Forecastle. 6.30am: Hands fall in employed clearing up decks clean out lifeboat. 6.40am: Weighed anchor. 6.50am: Let go Starboard anchor in 2½ fathoms. 7.10am: Weighed anchor. 7.43am: Let go Starboard anchor in 3 fathoms. 7.45am: Picked up buoy in connection with Army telephone. 8.00am: Hands go to breakfast. 9.15am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in, 4 hands working with gunners mate, 1 hand painting out lamp room, skiff men clean out skiff remainder as requisite. 10.30am: H.M.S. Cockchafer relieved at Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen] by H.M.S. Glowworm. 11.00am: H.M.S. Cockchafer anchored astern. 12.10pm: Enemy opened fire. H.M.S. Glowworm got under way and returned fire. 12.35pm: H.M.S. Glowworm dropped anchor. 12.50pm: H.M.S. Glowworm got under way. Enemy opening fire. 1.00pm: H.M.S. Glowworm opened fire on enemy gunboat. 1.30pm: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 1.40pm: H.M.S. Cockchafer got under way. 2.05pm: H.M.S. Glowworm and H.M.S. Cockchafer dropped anchor in previous berths 2.40pm: H.M.S. Cockchafer weighed anchor and proceeded to Gun[ners] Bridge [Kurgomen]. 3.20pm: H.M.S. Glowworm opened fire. 3.30pm: Cease fire. 4.00pm: H.M.S Cockchafer returned to original berth. 7.00pm: Supper. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Land Battery opened fire on enemy positions. Anti-aircraft guns crews closed up. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0064_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0064_1.jpg) 7 June 1919 Red Beacon Pool, Dvina River [Near Kurgomen] Lat 62.6, Long 43.5 Again the Cicala is working in support of the Glowworm rather than as an active combatant. Today she hands over her Starboard anchor and foremost searchlight to the Glowworm. The log shows the Cicala was moored on her Starboard anchor so it would have been fairly straightforward over the anchor with a single shackle of cable. The Cicala could winch in her anchor cable until the iron shackle at the end of the length of cable attached to the anchor is exposed. It is then a matter of securing the cable while the Cicala‘s cable is disconnected and the Glowworm‘s cable is connected in its place. 1.40am: H.M.S. Glowworm got under way. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 3.00am: H.M.S. Glowworm dropped anchor at Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen]. 6.30am: Hands fall in. ! leading Seaman and 2 Hands working about lifeboat. Remainder washing down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck, remainder of hands employed as requisite. 10.20am: Stand easy. 10.30am: Out pipes. Hands carry on work. 11.20am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 11.30am: Afternoon watch men to dinner. 11.55am: Return rags. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in, employed as requisite. 2.25pm: H.M.S. Glowworm tied up alongside. 2.30pm: Turned over Starboard anchor and 1 shackle of cable to H.M.S. Glowworm and foremost searchlight. 5.10pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. Cast off H.M.S. Glowworm and telephone cable. 7.40pm: Anchored off Beresnik [Bereznik] in 4 fathoms [at] 2 shackles. 8.45pm: Veered to 2 shackles. 9.25pm: Weighed anchor. 10.10pm: Let go anchor to take raft in tow [on] Port side. 10.55pm: Weighed anchor with in tow. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e55f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0065_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e560: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0065_1.jpg) 8 June 1919 Dvina River Lat 63.65, Long 41.74 1.15am: Starboard Watch unmoored Gun Barge. 1.20am: Let go Port anchor 1 shackle [in] 1½ fathoms of water. 1.40am: Secured Gun Barge alongside Starboard side. 1.45am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded [with] both barges in tow. 4.00am: Passed ML72. 7.00am: Called hands. 7.15am: Breakfast. 8.05am: Both barges broke away from tow. 8.10am: Let go Port anchor. 8.50am: Secured barge alongside Starboard side. 8.55am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 9.23am: Let go Port anchor and proceeded to pick up second barge. 9.55am: Weighed anchor and proceeded with second barge in tow astern. 10.10am: Let go Port anchor 2 shackles [in] 1½ fathoms. 12.35pm: Weighed anchor with two rafts in tow. 5.15pm: Clear lower deck. Captain addressed ships company. 5.20pm: Both Watches for exercise fell in, employed striking down 3 inch ammunition. 7.00pm: Supper. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e561: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0066_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e562: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0066_1.jpg) 9 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean mess deck remainder as requisite. 6.50am: Lowered skiff. 7.45am: Let go Port anchor in 10 fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. 9.10am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.35am: Hands fall in. 6 hands employed cleaning out paint store remainder of hands employed as requisite. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. 3 hands working about magazines. 1 Leading Seaman and 2 hands working about anchor buoys. Remainder as requisite. 4.00pm: Tea and shift [into] night clothing. 5.30pm: Both Watches cast off Gun Barge Port side. 5.40pm: Both Watches fall out. Tug takes Gun Barge. 5.50pm: Launch alongside to take Gun Barge. 8.30pm: Hoisted skiff. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e563: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0067_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e564: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0067_1.jpg) 10 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Decks, 2 hands clean skiff, 4 hands cleaning out water tight compartment, remainder getting up gear from Boatswain’s Store. 9.15am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning out naval and paint stores and as requisite. 11.40am: Lowered skiff. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Six hands and one Petty Officer employed cleaning out paint store, remainder as requisite. 3.30pm: Secure. 3.35pm: Clear lower deck. Captain read out Warrant. 4.00pm: Tea and shift into night clothing. Leave to Port Watch from 5.00pm: till 10.00pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 7.00pm: Supper. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e565: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0068_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e566: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0068_1.jpg) 11 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.15am: Hands fall in. Skiff sent in with mail. Fore part on Forecastle. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder as requisite. 6.40am: Starboard Watch getting up ammunition. 7.20am: Weighed anchor. 7.40am: Let go Port anchor in 12 fathoms off Smolny. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast. Rig of Day No.5s Special Duty men No.8s. 9.15am: Hands fall in, employed removing plates and getting up ammunition. 9.30am: Weighed anchor. 9.50am: Alongside M27 at Smolny. 10.20am: Stand easy. 10.30am: Hands carry on work. 11.00am: 5 [hands?] left M27. 11.25 Moved alongside Quirida. 11.35am: Cooks go to the galley. 11.40am: Dinner. 12.45pm: Hands fall in, 6 hands working in paint store after compartment, skiffmen working about skiff, remainder getting out ammunition. 3.10pm: Left alongside S.S. Querida. 3.45pm: Moored alongside Smolny Jetty. 4.00pm: leave to Starboard Watch from 5.30 until 10.00pm. 5.30pm: Landed liberty men. 6.45pm: M27 tied up astern. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e567: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0069_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e568: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0069_1.jpg) 12 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 What is going on today? It rather looks as if the Cicala is being stripped of all removable heavy objects like bullet proof plates and excess stores. If she were in a Royal Naval dockyard the next move would probably be in to dry dock. The reference to the Fandance in the 8.40am: entry is incorrect. A later log entry gives the name Fandango – a name that is given in a description of the flotilla sent to Russia on page 134 of the Navy Review from 1921. The Stepdance, Sworddance and Fandango are all Dance class minesweepers specifically designed for operation in shallow waters like those of the Dvina. The Bacchus is a Royal Fleet Auxiliary supply ship. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, cooks clean Mess Deck, 6 hands employed cleaning out after compartment, 4 hands working about Port cable, remainder as requisite. 8.00am: Breakfast. Hands to clean No.5s Duty men No.6s. 8.40am: H.M.S. Stepdance, H.M.S. Sworddance and H.M.S. Fandance [Fandango] tied up alongside. 9.15am: Hands to Quarters Clean Guns. 9.35am: Hands fall in. 4 hands cleaning out paint store, Carpenter and 6 hands unshipping bullet proof plating. 10.10am: H.M.S. Stepdance shoved off. 11.50am: H.M.S. Stepdance tied up alongside. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. Carpenter and party removing bullet proof plate. 6 hands employed taking out unnecessary stores out of paint stores on to jetty. Gunners party working about shield. 1.45pm: H.M.S. Sworddance shoved off. Skiff went to Bacchus. 2.20pm: Stand easy. 2.30pm: Out pipes. Carry on. 4.45pm: Shift Smolney Jetty. 5.10pm: Moved alongside Sabornia Jetty. Hands employed about after 6 inch gun. 6.00pm: [Hands] employed about fore 6 inch [gun]. 7.15pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e569: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0070_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0070_1.jpg) 13 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The date may be only a few days short of the Summer Solstice but this far North it can still snow. And that is exactly what happens in the early hours of this morning. 1.00am: Covered guns. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, cooks clean Mess Deck, skiffmen clean out skiff, remainder clearing up Upper and Battery Deck. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean No.3s. 9.10am: Hands fall in. 8 hands employed cleaning out after compartment, remainder as requisite. 12noon Dinner. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. 3 hands cleaning out aft compartment, skiffs crew working about boat. Remainder as requisite. 5.00pm: Liberty men landed. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0071_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0071_1.jpg) 14 June 1919 Sobornia Quay, Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 According to page 135 of the 1921 edition of the Navy Review H.M.S. Cyclops was a ‘huge repair ship’ that had previously been attached to the Grand Fleet. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Called hands. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Hands employed washing Battery Deck and Upper Deck. 1 hand clean out skiff. 1 hand cleaning out lifeboat. 7.45am: cast off from Sobornia Jetty. 8.05am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Cyclops. 9.25am: Hands fall in., cooks clean Mess Deck, Special Duty men carry on, remainder as requisite. 12noon Hands to make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Landed liberty men. 4.00pm: Tea and shift [into] night clothing. 5.00pm: Liberty men landed 5.30pm: H.M.S. Fandango shoved off. 6.00pm: Liberty men landed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0072_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0072_1.jpg) 15 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.40am: Hands to breakfast. 8.00am: Hands employed cleaning up Upper Deck. Boats crews squaring off boats. 9.30am: Hands to clean into No.2s Boats crews No.3s. 10.30am: Carry on smoking. 12noon Hands to dinner. 1.00pm: Leave to Watch from 1.30 till 10pm. 4.00pm: Hands shift into night clothing. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Pipe down all liberty men on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e56f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0073_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e570: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0073_1.jpg) 16 June 1919 Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 The references to ‘Captains Flat’ are strange. They are not about accommodation as the word ‘flat’ is nautical terminology for any approximately horizontal surface on a vessel that is not a structural part of the vessel. See the definition of ‘Deck’ here that is careful to draw the distinction between ‘Deck’ and ‘Flat’. It seems more likely that the word ’Captain’ has been substituted for ‘Capstan’ and that the term should read ‘Capstan Flat’ in both places. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Skiffmen clean out skiff. Remainder of hands employed cleaning Upper and Battery Decks. 7.45am: Quarters clean guns. 7.50am: Hands to breakfast and clean. 9.00am: Hands fall in. 1 Leading Seaman and 2 hands working about anchor buoys. 2 hands painting Captains Flat. Remainder as requisite. 12.35pm: 8 hands fell in for Diving Party. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. 2 hands working with Gunners Mate. 2 hands painting Captains Flat. Remainder as requisite. 1.30pm: Skiff went to Sabornia Quay with orderly. 2.20pm: Stand easy. 2.30pm: Out pipes. Hands carry on working. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. Leave to Port Watch from 4.30 till 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e571: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0074_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e572: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0074_1.jpg) 17 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 Now we see why the Cicala is moored alongside H.M.S. Cyclops. One of the tasks for today is to replace a 6 inch gun. This is heavy work that will have required the use of lifting equipment. An issue with the Cicala’s aft 6 inch gun may explain her non-pArcticipation in recent gun battles. But what is the Diving Party required for? The most likely reason for putting a diver in the water is to inspect the hull below water level. Is the Cicala taking on water somewhere? 2.10am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in, working party to breakfast, remainder clean up Upper Deck. 7.10am: Diving party to breakfast, 7.40am: Working party left ship. 8.00am: Dress for day No.5s. Duty men No.3s. (Diving party not required). 8.45am: Hands fall in, 2 hands employed cleaning out After Compartment. Remainder as requisite. 10.15am: Hands employed replacing after 6 inch gun. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. 3 hands working about Paint Store remainder as requisite. 4.00pm: Tea and shift into night clothing. 5.25pm: One Wireless Rating discharged to H.M.S. Fox. 6.05pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board and pipe down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e573: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0075_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e574: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0075_1.jpg) 18 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.00am: Called hands. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Diving and Working Parties told off 2 hands pump out paint store. Working Party to breakfast. 7.10am: Diving Party to breakfast. 7.40am: Smolney Working Party left ship. 8.50am: Divers working about aft compartments. 1.15pm: Hands fall in. 4 hands employed about after compartment remainder as requisite. 4.00pm: Tea. Hands into night clothing. Leave to Port Watch from 5pm: to 10pm. 5.45pm: Smolney Working Party returned on board. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men off and piped down. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e575: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0076_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e576: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0076_1.jpg) 19 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 2.00am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. 2 hands pumping out Paint Store. Remainder as requisite. 7.10am: Diving Party to breakfast and clean. 8.00am: Dress of Day No.5s. Duty Men No.8s. Boats Crews No.3s. 8.25am: Diving Party fall in. 9.00am: Hands fall in. Shift ship. 9.15am: Hands fall in, working as requisite. 9.45am: One Wireless Rating joined ship from H.M.S. Fox. 10.50am: Stand easy. 11.00am: Out pipes. Hands carry on work. 12noon Cast off from H.M.S. Cyclops. 12.30pm: Made fast alongside S.S. Aro. 12.35pm: Hands to dinner. 1.35pm: Hands fall in, 4 hands employed pumping out Aft Eng[ineering?] Store, 2 hands working about fore 6 inch gun remainder getting in stores from S.S. Aro. 2.10pm: Left S.S. Aro and moored alongside Bacchus at 2.15pm. 3.40pm: Left S.S. Bacchus and moored. 3.50pm: Alongside Smolney Jetty. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 5pm: until 10pm. 5.00pm: Landed liberty men. 6.00pm: Landed liberty men. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: All liberty men on board. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e577: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0077_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e578: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0077_1.jpg) 20 June 1919 Archangel [Arkangelsk] Lat 64.55, Long 40.48 According to the account in the 1921 Naval Review this was the day when a serious push started up river. See page 139 and following of that publication for an account of this action. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 5.20am: Hands fall in, hands employed ~~~ ~~~ Upper Deck. 5.35am: Cast off from Smolney. 5.45am: Gunnery ~~~ came on board. 6.35am: Hands fall in cooks on Mess Deck remainder clear up all decks. 7.10am: Guns crew close up for testing guns. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Told off as requisite. 9.20am: Tied up alongside S.S. Querida. 9.30am: Hands employed working about ammunition. 10.45am: One Rating, Ordinary Seaman Second Class, left ship discharged to H.M.S. Cyclops. 12noon Dinner. Smith, Ordinary Seaman, Second Class discharged from ship. 1.35pm: Hands fall in. Hands employed ammunitioning ship. 2.25pm: Stand easy. 2.30pm: Lieut Royal Navy joined ship. 2.35pm: Out pipes. Hands carry on with work. Striking down ammunition. 4.00pm: Cooks to galley. 4.40pm: Left S.S. Querida and moored alongside oiler [at] 4.55pm. 5.00pm: Commenced oiling. 6.55pm: Completed oiling, 35 tons. 7.00pm: Cast off from oiler. 7.10pm: Made fast alongside H.M.S. Cricket. 8.00pm: Embarked mail for river flotilla. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Lieutenant Neve discharged from ship. 10.05pm: Slipped from H.M.S. Cricket and proceeded with motor boat in tow. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e579: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0078_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0078_1.jpg) 21 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.77, Long 43.11 Not previously mentioned but along with a replacement 6 inch gun the Cicala has also acquired a replacement for the Starboard anchor that she passed over to the Glowworm at Red Beacon Pool. 3.40am: Let go Starboard anchor in 4 fathoms 1½ shackles. 5.30am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 6.30am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Upper and Battery Decks. 8.00am: Hands to clean. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck, remainder as requisite. 10.30am: Stand easy. 10.40am: Carry on with work. 11.15am: Quarters clean guns. 11.50am: Clear up decks. 12.15pm: Embarked 1 hospital case from NT214 for Bresenik [Bereznik]. Hands to make and mend clothes. 10.00pm: Landed sick man at Beresnik [Bereznik]. 10.10pm: Let go and proceeded. 10.45pm: Hands prepare to take S.S. Halden in tow. 11.05pm: Let go motor boat. 11.15pm: Let go anchor to take S.S. Halden in tow. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0079_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0079_1.jpg) 22 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.87, Long 42.73 This is a very busy day with just about every vessel mentioned ending up grounded somewhere and having to be towed off! When the Cicala runs aground while helping the S.S. Holden, the H.M.S. Morris Dance comes to her aid. The Morris Dance is another member of the Dance class of minesweepers. The Cicala has now encountered 4 vessels of this class. According to one web site that reproduces the content of “Jane’s Fighting Ships for 1919” there were only 12 ships of this class launched – and the list does not include the Fandango erroneously identified as the’ Fandance’ in an earlier log entry. The tow line is known as the ‘towing pennant’ in nautical parlance so the 5.20am: log entry is telling us that the towing line has broken. This can be very dangerous as a stretched tow line can store a considerable amount of elastic energy. When the line parts this energy is released and the line can rebound with considerable speed. 12.40am: Took S.S. Halden in tow. 12.55am: Ship aground in 2 feet aft and 4 feet forward. 1.15am: Dropped sea boat. 3.35am: H.M.S. Morris Dance came to assistance. Called hands. Hands prepare to take ship in tow. 5.20am: H.M.S. Morris Dance parted towing pennant. [Morris] Dance alongside for pennant. 6.10am: Off sandbar. 6.12am: Anchored in 1½ fathoms, veered to 2½ shackles. 7.30am: Called hands. 7.53am: Hands fall in. 8.05am: Up anchor. 8.10am: Proceeded to assist H.M.S. Morris Dance to tow S.S. Holden off shore. 8.55am: Port Watch to breakfast. 9.30am: Let go towing wire. 9.35am: Starboard Watch to breakfast. 10.25am: Two officers taking passage left ship in Russian motor boat. 10.30am: Starboard Watch clean Mess Deck. Port Watch clear up decks. 10.45am: NT 115 came alongside. 11.25am: Towing wire aboard NT 115 cast off. 12noon S.S. Holden let go towing wire. 12.05pm: Starboard Watch to dinner. 12.20pm: Hands to dinner. 1.10pm: Hands fall in. 1.20pm: Took S.S. Holden in tow. 2.10pm: H.M.S Morris Dance pennants are ~~~ ~~~. 2.15pm: Up Port anchor. 2.25pm: Let go Port anchor 3 shackles. 2.40pm: H.M.S. Morris Dance tied up along Port side. 3.00pm: Discharged mail for ML567. 3.05pm: Weighed anchor. 3.15pm: Towing wire gave way and let go Port anchor. 3.40pm: Hands to tea. 6.30pm: Hands fall in. Employed getting out grass line to Naldare. 7.15pm: Passed towing wire. 7.35pm: Towed S.S. Holden off shore. S.S. Holden anchored in channel. 8.25pm: Weighed anchor. 8.35pm: Got under way. 10.10pm: Secured alongside M23 and towed off sandbank. 10.30pm: Let go ~~~ M23. 10.50pm: Took ~~~ ~~~ in tow and proceeded under way. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0080_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0080_1.jpg) 23 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.60, Long 43.51 2.50am: Let go Port anchor and veered to 2 shackles at Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen]. 2.30am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder clear up Upper Deck. 9.10am: Hands to Q[uarters] Clean Guns. 9.30am: Return rags. Hands to clean into No.5 reg jumpers. 10.00am: Hands fall in employed washing down Upper Deck and stowing away towing pennant. 12noon Hands to dinner. 12.25pm: H.M.S. Cricket arrived Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen]. 1.30pm: One Marine joined ship from H.M.S. Cricket. 5.30pm: Hoisted skiff. 6.15pm: Weighed anchor [and] proceeded. 6.20pm: Prepare ship for action. 6.25pm: Hands to Action Stations. 7.05pm: Tied up alongside H.M.S. Glowworm. 8.30pm: Starboard Watch fall in. Employed taking ammunition from H.M.S. Glowworm. 9.30pm: Coal off from H.M.S. Glowworm. 9.40pm: Let go anchor in 2½ fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 10.00pm: Both Watches fall in. Employed striking down ammunition. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e57f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0081_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e580: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0081_1.jpg) 24 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.60, Long 43.51 The Cicala go to the assistance of H.M.S. Sword Dance after she strikes a mine. A photograph of the Sword Dance after this incident is available on this website. 1.25am: Opened fire at enemy aircraft. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck remainder of hands employed washing down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Hands to clean. 1.00pm: Let go Port anchor. 1.10pm: Lowered skiff, hands to bathe. 2.30pm: Up anchor, opened fire on enemy. 4.00pm: Hands to tea. 4.45pm: H.M.S. Sword Dance struck mine. Lowered skiff to render assistance. 5.50pm: Let go Port anchor, 2 shackles. 7.00pm: Hands to supper. 7.50pm: Dropped Port anchor. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e581: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0082_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e582: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0082_1.jpg) 25 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.60, Long 43.51 There is something very ‘old school’ about this engagement. The crew have a rest after dinner before manning the 6 inch guns. The ship weighs anchor and presumably moves to its ordained firing position. The crew spend 35 minutes firing on the enemy. At 4 o’clock they cease firing and the crew goes off to tea. It is so picture postcard England. The account has the atmosphere of a story by P.G. Woodhouse. 2.00am: Rounds Correct. Smoke reported on river. 7.00am: Hands fall in, employed cleaning Mess Deck, Upper and Battery deck. 7.15am: Fore 6 inch guns crew to breakfast. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean. 9.10am: Hands fall in, employed washing down Upper Deck. Cooks clear up Mess Deck. 10.00am: Hands to quarters Clean Guns. 10.25am: Return rags. 11.00am: Hands fall in, hands detailed working about ship. 12noon Hands to dinner. 2.45pm: Duty 6 inch guns crew close up to engage enemy. 2.50pm: Anchor weighed. 3.25pm: Opened fire. 4.00pm:
Ceased fire let go anchor in 2 fathoms [and] veered to 2 shackles
4.05pm: Hands to tea. 6.30pm: H.M.S. Cricket tied up alongside. 7.05pm: Weighed anchor cast off from H.M.S. Cricket. 8.03 Let go Port anchor in 2½ fathoms [and] veered to 2 shackles. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e583: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0083_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e584: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0083_1.jpg) 26 June 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.65, Long 43.46 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.20am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in. 4 hands employed with Gunners mate. Remainder washing down decks. Skiff crew clearing out skiff. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast. Rig of the Day No.5s. Special Duty Men No.8s. H.M.S. Step Dance tied up alongside. 8.20am: H.M.S. Step Dance cast off. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck, remainder employed as requisite. 9.50am: Quarters clean guns. 11.25am: Weighed anchor. 11.35am: Passed wire to tow M33. 11.45am: Let go M33. 12noon Secured alongside M33 for towing. 12.20pm: Cast off M33 in 11 feet of water and proceeded up river. 1.00pm: Advanced position. Arrived alongside H.M.S. Cricket. 7.50pm: Alongside oil lighter. Hands to supper. 9.15pm: Proceeded up river with oil lighter in tow. 10.15pm: Anchored oil lighter. 11.00pm: Completed oiling, 23 tons, cast off from oil lighter. 11.15 Let go anchor, veered to 2 shackles in 1½ fathoms Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen]. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e585: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0084_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e586: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0084_1.jpg) 27 June 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.65, Long 43.46 Now the Cicala has her fore 6 inch gun switched out. It is just 10 days since her after 6 inch gun was replaced. Why the switch? A clue may be that H.M.S. Humber is a Monitor class vessel that will be on her way back to the UK for decommissioning in a few weeks’ time. It is possible that this switch is to bring the Cicala up to full operational readiness to support the land battle that is being fought on the land surrounding the Dvina River at this time. SPECULATION. There is a report of the Cicala having her 6 inch guns replaced with guns on low elevation mounts in Chatham: prior to setting out for Russia. As the year has advanced the water level has dropped on the Dvina River. Photographs of the Dvina River in summer show the waters reduced to a central stream: surrounded by wide beaches and cliff-like banks. The seasonal drop of the water level will ultimately lead to two monitors becoming trapped up river behind sand bars. These vessels are abandoned and destroyed when the flotilla retreats at the end of summer. Are these exchanges of 6 inch guns a way around an issue of the Cicala’s low elevation gun mounts preventing her from being able to fire on targets inland from the banks of the river in the summer months? 12.00midnight Anti Aircraft guns crews closed up. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder as requisite. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast and clean in No.5s ~~~etive jumpers. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Cooks clean Mess Deck. Remainder employed as required. 10.20am: Stand easy. 10.30am: Carry on work. 11.30am: Chief Shipwright left ship. 11.55am: Cooks to the galley. 12noon Dinner. 4.00pm: Tea. 5.10pm: Starboard Watch employed about fore 6 inch gun. 7.00pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded. 7.20pm: Let go anchor. 8.00pm: Hands employed securing barge alongside to shift Fore 6 inch gun. 8.05pm: Starboard Watch to supper. 8.35pm: Starboard Watch fall in. Port Watch to supper. 8.40pm: Gun brought over by crane from H.M.S. Humber – placed on deck. 10.00pm: Fore 6 inch gun sent over to H.M.S. Humber. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e587: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0085_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e588: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0085_1.jpg) 28 June 1919 Dvina River, Gunners Bridge [Kurgomen] Lat 62.60, Long 43.51 12midnight Port Watch washing about fore 6 inch gun. 2.00am: Rounds correct. 3.20am: Crane lighter cast off. Watch fall out. 6.20am: Armourer and Gunners Mate repairing fore 6 inch [gun]. 7.00am: Hands fall in, cooks clean Mess Deck remainder clearing up Upper Deck. 8.00am: Breakfast and clean. 9.10am: Hands fall in. Employed as requisite. 9.45am: DL1 came alongside. Senior Naval Officer River came aboard weighed anchor and proceeded with DL1 in tow. 10.00am: Hands to General Quarters. 12.30am: Foremost 6 inch guns crew and foremost 3 inch gun crew closed up. 4.45pm: H.M.S. Cricket came alongside Portside. 4.50pm: Hands fall in, employed discharging 6 inch ammunition to H.M.S. Cricket. 6.30pm: Weighed anchor [and] cast off from H.M.S. Cricket. 6.55pm: Hands to supper. 7.50pm: Took M27 in tow. 8.00pm: M27 off shore, still in tow. 9.15pm: Cast off from M27 and let go Port anchor in 10 feet [of] water. 9.20pm: Lowered skiff to take guns crew[?] to M27. 10.00pm: Took M27 in tow astern. 10.05pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to B~~~. 10.15pm: Towing wire gave way. 10.40pm: Let go Port anchor. 10.55pm: Slipped M27. 11.20pm: Proceed to assist M25. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e589: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0086_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0086_1.jpg) 29 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.60, Long 43.51 At the end of this day the log records the repair on the fore 6 inch gun to be completed. This suggests an alternative answer to the question of why the swap of 6 inch guns was done. It could have been to ensure that the smaller ship, the H.M.S. Humber remainder fully armed and capable while the Cicala’s larger crew repaired a damaged 6 inch gun while continuing with her duties. 12.55am: let go Port anchor. 1.05am: Commenced towing M25. 1.20am: Weighed Port anchor. 1.25am: Slipped tow. 1.25am: Let go Port anchor. 1.30am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded alongside M25. 1.40am: Secured alongside M25 and commenced towing. 2.30am: Slipped tow. 2.35am: Let go to slew ship and weighed. 2.45am: Let go anchor and took M25 in tow weighed [anchor]. 3.05am: Tow parted. 3.25am: Continued towing. 3.40am: Let go anchor. 4.00am: Slipped cable. 4.30am: Picked up cable and anchor and weighed. 4.50am: Passed towing wire to M25. 5.15am: Let go towing wire. 5.30am: Let go anchor veered to 3½ shackles. 7.30am: Hands fall in, employed re-passing towing wires and as requisite. 8.10am: Hands to breakfast and clean. Dress of Day No.5s Neg[?] jumpers. 9.20am: Commenced towing M25. 9.35am: M25 off Starboard bank. 9.55am: M25 came alongside to tow. 10.25am: H.M.S. Fandango assists M25. 10.30am: Senior Naval Officer came alongside in ~~~. 11.00am: Senior Naval Officer River left ship. 11.55am: Anchor M25 in Red Beacon Pool [Near Kurgomen] in 4½ fathoms. 12.40pm: Slipped M25. 2.25pm: Let go anchor in 3½ fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 3.55pm: Hands fall in. 4.50pm: Hands to tea. Hands to remain in the rig of day. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 11.15pm: Repairs to fore 6 inch [gun] completed. 1 seaman discharged sick to H.M.S. Hyderabad. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0087_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0087_1.jpg) 30 June 1919 River Dvina Lat 62.58, Long 43.62 This day’s log is a little confused. It records a visit by Rear Admiral Green – Senior Naval Officer, White Sea – arriving just after noon and leaving at both 12.30pm: and Midnight! Just to add to the mystery the same person – initials LW – signs off both entries as correct. It is clear is the Cicala’s repair to her foremost 6 inch gun has been successful. It is used in action at least twice in the course of the afternoon and evening. The River Dvina has been mined by the Bolsheviks. The Dance class minesweepers are clearing a passage through the minefield and require big guns in support to keep them safe while they go about their work. 2.20am: Rounds correct. 6.30am: Called hands. 7.00am: Hands fall in. Skiff’s crew clear out skiff. Remainder employed washing down Upper Deck. 8.00am: Hands to breakfast. 9.00am: H.M.S. Cricket returned to anchorage. 9.10am: Hands fall in, employed as required. 9.35am: Weighed anchor. 9.40am: Let go anchor, veered to 2 shackles. 9.55am: Quarters clean guns. 10.40am: Hands fall in, employed as required. 11.45am: Clear lower deck. 12.10pm: Rear Admiral Green came on board, inspected ship. 12.30pm: Rear Admiral left ship. 1.10pm: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Cricket. 1.20pm: Hands employed taking in ammunition from H.M.S. Cricket. 1.50pm: Cast off from H.M.S. Cricket. Hands to general Quarters. 2.40pm: Engaged enemy. 4.00pm: Hands to tea, stand fast foremost 6 inch and 3 inch guns crew. 4.15pm: Let go anchor in 2 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles. 5.00pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river to cover mine sweepers. 6.45pm: Open fire on enemy. 7.20pm: Anchored in 2 fathoms and veered ½ shackle. 7.45pm: Cease fire. 12midnight. Rear Admiral left ship. Returned to anchorage. LOGS FOR JULY 1919 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0088_0.jpg) 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0088_1.jpg) 1 July 1919 Dvina River Lat 62.58, Long 43.62 This appears to be a stub entry from the last watch of 30 June 1919 before the first watch of 1 July 1919 take over and begin a new log book. 12.40am: Let go anchor in 4 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 12.45am: 6 inch guns crew and Arial guns crews closed up. 4caf8559cadfd3419700e58f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0089_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e590: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0089_1.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e591: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0090_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e592: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37796/ADM53-37796-0090_1.jpg) Second Interregnum The gap in the record is for the period 1 July 1919 to 13 January 1920 inclusive. The cause of these records not being available is most probably the mutiny of the Cicala’s crew in early July 1919. I have been unable to locate any primary sources for details of the mutiny. The secondary sources that you can find on the web, Google ‘mutiny cicala’, suggest that the crew were tired of their conditions. The weather was hot. The food was bad. When ordered upstream: to fire on the Bolsheviks the Cicala’s crew are said to have refused to act. The mutiny appears to have been quelled when Rear Admiral Green threatened “Do your duty or you will be shelled by other ships of the British squadron”. Following this event there is evidence in the logs of the other ships published on this website of the Cicala’s crew having been split up and transferred to other vessels in the flotilla. The secondary sources suggest that five leaders of the mutiny were formally charged, found guilty and sentenced to death. However, the same sources also report that the death sentences were commuted to 5 years’ imprisonment because of the disquiet they caused among Royal Navy crews more generally. It is to be noted that the Cicala’s commander, Lieutenant Edward Templeton Grayston RNR, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service in North Russia. The citation published in the supplement to the London Gazette dated 17th October 1919 reads “Fought and handled his ship with conspicuous gallantry and success, constantly under heavy fire”. Twenty years later, when working as a civilian, he was awarded the OBE on 1st December 1939 for his remarkable role in saving the S.S. Karama, an unarmed merchant ship, from a U-boat attack. You will find the story in the citation published in the London Gazette. Captain Grayston continued at sea until his death in London just three days after completing his final journey in command of the S.S. Morton Bay as reported on 22 December 1949 by the ‘Barrier Miner’ newspaper. Another remarkable event happened to the Cicala in August 1919. The best source for this is again the account from the Naval Review. It seems that a crew member was taking depth soundings from the bow of the Cicala with a weighted line. He threw out the line and the weight hit a mine causing it to explode. Amazingly the crew member survived despite the mine blowing a hole in the Cicala’s bow. The Cicala was retrieved, patched up and was soon back in action. Although, the same source tells us that she had further problems with her guns as a result of repeatedly firing them at a high elevation later that month. What happened next was that the British Expeditionary Force retreated in September 1919. The action in June, July and August was designed to push back the Bolshevik forces to give space for the evacuation of first Arkhngel and then Murmansk. The evacuation of Arkangel was reported as being completed by 2pm: on 27th September 1919. The monitors M25 and M27 were left stranded up stream: of sand bars by the reduced flow of the Dvina at this time of year. Both were blown up on 16th September 1919 to prevent them falling in to the hands of the Bolsheviks. More detail of the whole action in North Russia can be seen from the various official despatches published in the supplement to the London Gazette of 2nd April 1920. These accounts make it clear that the decision to retreat from North Russia was made in Spring 1919. All the action in the rest of that year was about minimising losses. General Lord Rawlinson, Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces in North Russia describes the nature of the country around the Dvina River as “virgin forest or tundra (long stretches of impassable peaty swamp)”. It is possibly no surprise that the Cicala’s crew were not alone in their July mutiny. The official and unofficial accounts refer to several serious mutinies among Russian battalions on the Dvina and Oneya fronts in July 1919. However, it seems that most, if not all, of the leaders in these mutinies were executed. The Cicala’s mutineers got off very lightly. As for the Cicala, she was on her way back to the UK by the end of September 1919, making her escape from the White Sea before it could freeze over for the Winter. It seems she eventually found her way back to Chatham: for refitting for her next assignment which was to be Hong Kong and the China Station. She was not alone in this. All the Insect class gunboats, with the exception of Glowworm, were assigned to the China Station. The logs pick up when the Cicala is re-commissioned on 14th January 1920 at Chatham: in preparation for another epic journey that would take this small, flat bottomed vessel almost half way around the World.
THE VOYAGES OF HMS CICALA
LOGS FOR JANUARY 1920 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6fd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-001_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6fe: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-001_1.jpg) Cover of a log book with a 1918 imprint, dated for the period 14 January 1920 to 31 January 1920, on which the name Sub Lieutenant J Eastley has been written. NOTE This log book is not the same as the copy logs used in 1918 and 1919. It bears the stock number “S.-321a. (Revised—August,1918)”. It no longer has the declaration that it is a true copy of the original log and bears a handwritten name rather than requiring the Navigating Officer to sign the declaration. It is a case bound book, with board covers and it is an altogether sturdier document than the saddle-stitched booklet that was used previously. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e6ff: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-002_0.jpg) Blank page. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e700: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-002_1.jpg) Nil ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ report signed by R.G.M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander. Dated 2nd February 1920. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e701: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-003_0.jpg) Barometer: Mercurial; maker S Wheeler; No. 3962 Thermometers for air temperature: Outside Conning Tower; In screen; No maker or serial number details. Present from 26 January 1920 to 31 January 1920. Thermometer for Sea Temperature: No detail given. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e702: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-003_1.jpg) Blank log page. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e703: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-004_0.jpg) 14 January 1920 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 This is the day when the Cicala is re-commissioned. Until her re-commissioning she is not an active Navy ship so did not require a log. There are no weather readings in the log. This is explained by the simple “Not fitted” annotation at the top of the pressure and temperatures columns. 9.00am: Commissioned ship. 10.30am: Hands employed drawing stores. 1.30pm: Hands drawing stores. 4.00pm: Hands returned to barracks. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e704: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-004_1.jpg) 15 January 1920 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 10.00am: Shifted berth from No.1 [basin] to No.2 basin. 1.30pm: Coaled ship – 18 tons received. 4.00pm: Hands returned to barracks. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e705: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-005_0.jpg) 16 January 1920 Chatham: Lat 51.41, Long 0.55 9.00am: hands employed drawing stores. 2.00pm: Shifted berth to South lock. 3.00pm: Ship's company victualed on board from PM. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e706: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-005_1.jpg) 17 January 1920 Chatham: Lat 51.4, Long 1.5 8.00am: Proceeded from South lock. 9.30am: Secured alongside oiler at Port Victoria. 12.30pm: Completed with oil fuel. Oil received 10 tons. 12.45pm: Cast off from oiler. 1.30pm: Moored to No. 47 Buoy at Sheerness. 2.00pm: Swung ship for Deviation of Compasses. 4.00pm: Slipped and proceeded in company with H.M.S. Magnolia, H.M.S. Moth, H.M.S. Mantis and H.M.S. Cockchafer. 5.00pm: Came to with Starboard anchor at the hove. Veered to 3 shackles. 5.40pm: H.M.S. Cricket arrived – weighed [anchor] and proceeded in company with flotilla. Course as requisite – speed 10 knots – in single line ahead. 9.00pm: Decreased speed to 9 knots. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e707: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-006_0.jpg) 18 January 1920 At Sea Lat 50.6, Long 0.2 3.45am: Hauled out of line to make good defects in Starboard engine. 3.50am: Proceeded and took station astern of H.M.S. Cricket. 8.00am: Distilling pump broke down. 9.30am: Stopped engines and was taken in tow by H.M.S. Magnolia. 11.00am: Proceeded in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia, course S85°W speed 6 knots. 4.45pm: Altered course N51°W. 5.35pm: Owers Light abeam. 6.15pm: Altered course N59°W. 8.15pm: Stopped. Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia. 8.30pm: Came to with Starboard anchor, veered to 2 shackles in 4¼ fathoms. 11.00pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded up harbour. Course and speed as requisite, in company with remainder of flotilla. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e708: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-006_1.jpg) 19 January 1920 Spithead Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 What has happened to the Cicala? She is leaking again! 1.10am: Came to with Starboard anchor at Spithead – veered to 4 shackles. 8.45am: Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments. 11.45am: Tug arrived and took ship in tow – weighed [anchor] and proceeded up harbour. 1.00pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Galatea at North Slip Jetty. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch in accordance with port orders. 5.00pm: Fire Stations reported correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e709: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-007_0.jpg) 20 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 8.40am: Dockyard Divers examining ship. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and pumping out flooded compartments. 1.30pm: Hands employed clearing store-rooms. 2.00pm: One Chief Engine Room Artificer discharged to Haslar hospital. 3.30pm: Diving completed. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations reported correct. 10.30pm: Hailed guard-boat. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-007_1.jpg) 21 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Dockyard Divers down. 10.00am: Hands employed clearing flooded compartments. 1.00pm: Hands employed clearing flooded compartments. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 11.00pm: Hailed guard-boat. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-008_0.jpg) 22 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed painting Ward-room. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting Ward-room. 3.00pm: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to Royal Naval Barracks sick. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations reported correct. 10.45pm: Hailed guard-boat. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-008_1.jpg) 23 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Tug secured alongside – slipped from H.M.S. Galatea. 9.30am: Entered No.10 Dock. 10.30am: Hands employed mooring ship and painting Ward-Room flat. 1.30pm: Hands employed clearing out store rooms. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 10.15pm: Hailed guard-boat. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-009_0.jpg) 24 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed painting Ward-Room Flat. 10.30am: Surgeon Lieutenant. O.J.M. Kerrijan R.N. joined ship. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 4.45pm: Reported fire stations. 6.05pm: 1 Able Bodied Seaman joined ship from R.N.B. Chatham. 9.30pm: 1 Shipwright joined ship. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-009_1.jpg) 25 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed moving sand ballast from Cabin Flat. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e70f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-010_0.jpg) 26 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed drawing paint from Dockyard. 1.00pm: Hands employed drawing paint from Dockyard. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e710: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-010_1.jpg) 27 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed clearing out after Store-room for flooding test. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 6.30pm: 3 ratings joined ship. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e711: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-011_0.jpg) 28 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.30am: Hands employed making, cutting and fitting matting for Wheelhouse and making oiling screens. 11.15am: Received 11 cases of medical stores from Haslar Hospital. 1.00pm: Hands employed cutting and fitting matting for Wheelhouse and making oiling screens. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e712: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-011_1.jpg) 29 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 5.40am: Small fire in Gunner’s Store-room. 5.43am: Fire extinguished. 9.00am: Hands employed with towing cable and fetching slip from Dockyard. 11.30am: Flooded dry dock. 1.45pm: Undocked and secured to H.M.S. Vindictive. 3.10pm: Shifted berth from H.M.S. Vindictive [to] alongside H.M.S. Magnolia at Boat House Jetty. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 6.10pm: 1 Rating joined from Royal Naval Barracks Chatham. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e713: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-012_0.jpg) 30 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.15am: Oil tank came alongside – completed with oil fuel – received 19 tons. 12.45pm: Water boat alongside – completed with fresh water – received 10 tons. 2.00pm: Hands employed cleaning ship and striking down stores and sand ballast. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 5.20pm: Discharged 1 rating to Royal Naval Barracks Chatham. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e714: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-012_1.jpg) 31 January 1920 Portsmouth Lat 50.75, Long -1.1 This log page is incorrectly dated ‘Saturday 30th day of January, 1920’ 8.30am: Hands employed striking down stores and sand ballast. 10.45am: 2 ratings joined ship from Royal Naval Barracks Chatham. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: leave to Watch until 7.00am. 5.00pm: Fire stations correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e715: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-013_0.jpg) Blank log page. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e716: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-013_1.jpg) National Archives notice noting that pages 20 to 64 of the log book have not been recorded as they are blank. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e716: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-013_1.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e717: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-014_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e718: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-014_1.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e719: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-015_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69589/ADM 53-69589-015_1.jpg) LOGS FOR FEBRUARY 1920 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-001_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of February 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy, Navigating officer. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-002_0.jpg) Blank page. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-002_1.jpg) Nil statement of “Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded” signed off by R.G.M.Hunt Lieutenant Commander on 1st March 1920. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e71f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-003_0.jpg) Barometer: Mercurial; S Wheeler, London. M3962 Thermometers for air temperatures: Outside Conning Tower; in screen; Maker A. Harper, Birmingham; from February 1st to February 29th inclusive. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e720: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-003_1.jpg) 1 February 1920 At Sea Lat 50.5, Long -2.0 8.05am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 9.00am: Took station astern of H.M.S. Magnolia [course] as requisite speed 12 knots. Streamed log. 10.30am: Shaped course S80°W, reduced speed to 9 knots. 10.35am: Hauled in patent log – defective. 11.00am: Reduced speed to 6 knots owing to heavy sea. 11.45am: Anvil Point bearing N68°W. 12.10pm: Reduced speed to 5 knots. 12.30pm: St Alban Head abeam. 1.30pm: Altered course N60°W. 2.00pm: Increased to 10 knots. 3.00pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in C.4. berth at Portland. 12 fathoms veered to 2 shackles. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e721: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-004_0.jpg) 2 February 1920 Portland Lat 50.6, Long -2.44 10.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.25pm: Discharged 1 rating to hospital. 1.30pm: Weighed anchor – tug secured alongside. Hands employed painting ship. Tug towed ship to Penns Pier – completed with distilled water. 2.30pm: Admiral Nicholson came on board. 3.00pm: Admiral [Nicholson] left ship. 4.10pm: Tug shifted ship to C.4. berth. 4.25pm: Came to with Starboard anchor and veered to 2 shackles. 7.40pm: Eased down Port anchor. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e722: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-004_1.jpg) 3 February 1920 Portland to Plymouth Lat 50.3, Long -3.2 8.00am: Weighed anchors and proceeded out of harbour in company with H.M.S. Magnolia – course and speed as requisite. 8.20am: Course South speed 12 knots. 8.35am: Shaped course S26°W. 8.50am: Lloyds signal station on Portland Lodge abeam. 9.00am: Altered course S72°W. Hands employed securing life boat and removing sand ballast aft. 12.45pm: Altered course N55°W. 1.00pm: Start Point abeam: to Starboard. 1.45pm: Bolt Tail Point abeam: to Starboard. 2.25pm: Mewstone abeam: to Starboard. 2.35pm: Reduced to slow. 2.40pm: Stopped engines. 2.45pm: Proceeded up harbour. 3.05pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in Plymouth Sound – veered to 2 shackles. 3.30pm: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded up harbour course and speed as requisite. 4.00pm: Secured alongside oiler Red Dragon. 5.30pm: Slipped from oiler and shifted to No.2 Jetty. 6.00pm: Secured to jetty. 6.30pm: Leave to Watch in accordance with port orders. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e723: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-005_0.jpg) 4 February 1920 Devonport Lat 50.38, Long -4.19 8.45am: Oil boat secured alongside. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 9.30am: One signalman joined ship from Chatham: Barracks. 10.00am: Completed with oil fuel. 10.30am: Oiler cast off – completed oiler. 12noon Commander-in-Chief Devonport inspected ship. 2.00pm: Hands employed painting ship. 2.40pm: 1 Rating discharged to Royal Naval Hospital. 2.40pm: 1 Rating joined ship from Royal Naval Barracks Devonport. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e724: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-005_1.jpg) 5 February 1920 At Sea Lat 50.2, Long -4.3 The flotilla bound for China Station has assembled at Plymouth and now commences its journey to Hong Kong. However, within the first few hours it becomes obvious that some vessels are likely to find the journey ahead of them to be heavy going! Commencing at 4pm: there is a new entry in the log book. It is the rather cryptic abbreviation “WT + SBC” and it is initialled “AE” (A. Eastley) or “RGMH” (R.G.M. Hunt). The most likely interpretation is “Wireless Telegraphy and Signals Book Correct”. The SBC part could also mean ‘seen by Captain’ but the use of the ‘+’ like glyph, suggestive of an ampersand, leads to the given interpretation. 7.30am: Slipped from No.2 Jetty and proceeded down harbour to No.2 buoy in Plymouth Sound – course and speed as requisite. 8.10am: Secured to No.2 buoy. 9.00am: Swung ship for deviation of compasses. 10.35am: Slipped and proceeded to sea in company with H.M.S. Colombo and flotilla – course and speed as requisite. 10.55am: Formed divisions in single line ahead speed 10 knots – shaped course S35°W. 11.15am: Eddystone bearing S30°W. 11.30am: Log streamed. 11.50am: Eddystone abeam: to Port. 12.45pm: H.M.S. Magnolia hauled out of line. Took station astern of H.M.S. Cockchafer. 1.15pm: H.M.S. Magnolia took up station astern of H.M.S. Cockchafer. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4.05pm: H.M.S. Colombo hauled out of line – not under control. 4.35pm: H.M.S. Colombo re-joined flotilla. 4.40pm: HMS Bluebell hauled out of line. 4.45pm: Decreased to 6 knots. 5.30pm: Increased to 9 knots. H.M.S. Bluebell re-joined flotilla. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e725: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-006_0.jpg) 6 February 1920 At Sea Lat 47.0, Long -6.9 6.10am: Reduced to 6 knots. 6.43am: Increased to 9 knots. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Deck. 10.00am: Altered course to S33°W. 12noon WT + S.B.C. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e726: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-006_1.jpg) 7 February 1920 At Sea Lat 43.7, Long -8.7 The midday position puts the flotilla close to the Southern limit of the Bay of Biscay, around 45 miles North of Corruna. The Insect Class gunboats had a reasonably sized Ward Room according to Tony Bryan’s cut away view of the Cicala in Konstram’s ‘Yangtze River Gunboats 1900-49” (see www.ospreypublishing.com). This shows ‘officer territory’ as taking up most of the below deck space forward of the fore 6 inch gun. The Ward Room takes up about half the starboard side of a walkway that is entered through a hatch under the barrel of the 6 inch gun. The Captain’s Cabin is shown opposite the Ward Room and is around half its size. 2.45am: Second Division altered course to Starboard to prevent a collision with a steamer. 3.05am: Resumed previous course. 4.00am: WT + S.B.C. 7.00am: Sighted land Port bow bearing S3°E. 8.00am: WT + S.B.C. 8.10am: Cape Ortegal bearing S35°E and Cape Tria[?] bearing S6°W. 8.45am: Altered course S62°W. Hands employed painting Ward Room. 12noon WT + S.B.C. 3.00pm: Altered course S39°W. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 5.45pm: Formed single line ahead. 7.15pm: Altered course S5°W. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 9.30pm: Altered Course S31E. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e727: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-007_0.jpg) 8 February 1920 Vigo Lat 42.24, Long -8.74 2.30am: Hauled in log. Course and speed for entering harbour. 3.15am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 3.20am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia. 3.30am: Anchored with Starboard anchor and veered to 3 shackles in [depth of water not recorded]. 9.00am: Hands employed in catting anchor. 10.30am: Pipe down. 12.30pm: Leave to Chief Petty Officers and First Class Petty Officers till 6.30pm. 2.00pm: Hands to make and mend clothes. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e728: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-007_1.jpg) 9 February 1920 Vigo Lat 42.24, Long -8.74 10.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 2.00pm: Hands employed painting ship. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 9pm. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e729: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-008_0.jpg) 10 February 1920 Vigo Lat 42.24, Long -8.74 8.10am: Weighed [anchor] and proceeded alongside oiler. 8.25am: Secured alongside oiler. Completed with oil fuel. 10.30am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.15pm: Slipped from oiler and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 1.35pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 2.30pm: Hands employed painting ship and spreading canvass to dry. 4.15pm: leave to Watch until 9pm. 6.35pm: H.M.S. Foxglove with H.M.S. Cockchafer in tow proceeded to sea. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-008_1.jpg) 11 February 1920 At Sea Lat 41.5, Long -9.1 6.05am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia. 6.30am: Formed divisions in single line ahead and proceeded out of harbour in company with H.M.S. Colombo and flotilla – course and speed as requisite. 7.50am: Shaped course 193°. 8.00am: Streamed log. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-009_0.jpg) 12 February 1920 Vigo to Gibraltar Lat 37.7, Long -9.4 1.00am: Burling Island [Berlenga Grande Island] abeam: to Port. 1.30am: Altered course to 167°. 2.40am: Cape Roca Light bearing S8°E. 4.00am: WT + S.B.C. 5.30am: Cape Roca Light abeam: to Port distance 6¾’. 5.40am: Cape Roca Light bearing N81E. Cape Espichel Light bearing S31E. 5.50am: Assumed 1st organisation, H.M.S. Foxglove and H.M.S. Cockchafer joined up with 2nd Division. 6.00am: Cape Roca Light bearing N56E. Cape Espichel Light bearing S34E. 6.45am: Speed 9 knots. 7.00am: Cape Roca Light bearing N26E. Cape Espichel Lighthouse bearing S52E. 7.15am: Altered course to Starboard to clear drifters. 7.20am: Resumed original course. 7.30am: H.M.S. Magnolia hauled out of line. 7.40am: H.M.S. Magnolia took up position. 8.10am: Cape Espichel Light abeam: to Port, distance 13¾’. 10.30am: Hands employed painting ship. 12noon WT + S.B.C. 3.30pm: Cape St Vincent bearing S30°E. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4.19pm: Altered course S35E. Cape St Vincent bearing S63E. 5.02pm: Cape St Vincent Light abeam: to Port 4’. Sagres Point Light bearing N89°E. 5.45pm: Altered course S54E. 6.00pm: Course as requisite for closing 1st Division 1’. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 6.25pm: Reduced to 8 knots to resume station on Starboard beam: of 1st Division. 7.00pm: Piedade Point bearing N15E. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-009_1.jpg) 13 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 4.00am: WT + S.B.C. 5.55am: Cadiz Light bearing N58°E. 7.55am: Cape Trafalgar Light bearing N 86°E. 8.00am: WT + S.B.C. 8.05am: Hauled in patent log. 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck. 10.40am: Altered course S75E. 11.00am: Reduced to 8 knots. 11.25am: Cape Tarifa abeam: altered course N85E. 12noon Reduced to 7 knots. WT + S.B.C. 3.00pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Foxglove at South end of South Mole. 4.00pm: Leave to Watch from 4 until 10pm 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-010_0.jpg) 14 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 Having reached Gibraltar the flotilla takes a few days to rest and resupply before continuing their journey by crossing the Mediterranean Sea. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 11.05am: Water boat secured alongside. 11.55am: Water boat shoved off. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.00pm: Leave to Watch from 1pm: until 11pm. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-010_1.jpg) 15 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 10.20am: Hands to Divisions on Upper Deck. 12.30pm: Leave to Watch from 1.30 until 11pm. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e72f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-011_0.jpg) 16 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 9.30am: Hands employed painting ship. 2.00pm: Hands employed painting ship. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 11pm. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e730: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-011_1.jpg) 17 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite on Upper deck and catting Starboard anchor. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.15pm: Leave to Watch until 11pm. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e731: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-012_0.jpg) 18 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 Something strange here. The last log entry about mooring the Cicala places her alongside the Foxglove. Today’s log entry refers to slipping from the Bluebell. 8.15am: Tug secured alongside. 8.30am: Slipped H.M.S. Bluebell and proceeded to buoy in harbour. 8.45am: Made fast to buoy. 11.00am: Slipped tug. Hands employed cleaning ship and spreading awnings. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning ship and stowing awnings. 2.30pm: Tug secured alongside. 2.40pm: Slipped buoy and proceeded alongside oiler at South Mole. 2.50pm: Secured to oiler. 3.00pm: Slipped tug. 4.15pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e732: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-012_1.jpg) 19 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 8.00am: Hands employed painting stanchions and stowing awnings. 8.45am: Tug secured alongside. 8.55am: Slipped oiler and shifted berth to alongside S.S. War Casco. 9.25 Secured to S.S. War Casco. 9.30am: Slipped tug. 2.00pm: Hands employed cleaning ship and painting. 4.15pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e733: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-013_0.jpg) 20 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 All the inactivity seems to have got to the log keeper. He marks today’s log at 12noon as “Midnight”. 9.30am: Hands employed spreading matting. 2.30pm: Hands employed as requisite on Upper Deck. 4.15pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e734: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-013_1.jpg) 21 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 Is the highlight of the day encountering another Insect class ship, H.M.S. Mantis? Her name has not previously been encountered in this log. The phrase ‘bright-work’ is a reference to all the exposed metal and varnished woodwork around the ship. (See Wikipedia) 9.00am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck and cleaning bright-work. 11.30am: H.M.S. Mantis secured alongside. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.00pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e735: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-014_0.jpg) 22 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 10.00am: Divisions on Upper Deck. 1.00pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e736: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-014_1.jpg) 23 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 A pencil note in today’s log records the Cicala as receiving 15 tons of distilled water for its boilers today. The boilers used for steam: generation are not like kettles. Their key components are a number of narrow tubes that pass through the hot gases created in a furnace. If fresh water or sea water were used in the boiler then mineral deposits would rapidly form and block these tubes. Distilled water does not contain significant quantities of dissolved salts so its use in the boiler minimises the formation of deposits in the boiler tubes. 9.00am: Hands employed covering hatchways with canvas – cleaning ship and bright work. 2.00pm: Hands employed as requisite on Upper deck. 4.15pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e737: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-015_0.jpg) 24 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Leave to the Watch from 4pm: to 7am. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e738: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-015_1.jpg) 25 February 1920 Gibraltar Lat 36.15, Long -5.37 The Cicala sets out to cross the Mediterranean Sea to reach the Suez Canal that she will then go on to pass through. 9.00am: Water boat secured alongside – completed with fresh water – received 3 tons. 10.30am: Completed with water. Water boat cast off. 11.30am: Slipped from S.S. War Casco. 11.45am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Mantis. 2.00pm: Slipped from H.M.S. Mantis and proceeded alongside S.S. Chelopia. 2.30pm: Slipped from S.S. Chelopia and proceeded out of harbour course and speed as requisite in company with flotilla ~~~ H.M.S. Cockchafer and H.M.S. Foxglove. 3.00pm: Formed divisions in line ahead. 3.30pm: Shaped course 083° speed 9 knots. Europa Point abeam: to Port. 4.10pm: Streamed log. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 10.25pm: Hot bearing in Starboard. Engine. Stopped Starboard engine and proceeded under Port engine 100 revolutions. Hoisted N.U.C. [Not Under Control] lights. H.M.S. Magnolia remained in company. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e739: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-016_0.jpg) 26 February 1920 At Sea Lat 36.5, Long -3.1 The Cicala struggles on but is still having difficulties. The reference to Sabinal suggests that this is all happening in the region of Almeria as is confirmed by the next day’s log page. 7.00am: Proceeded – speed 10 knots and took station astern of H.M.S. Magnolia. 8.00am: WT + S.B.C. 8.40am: Reduced to 7 knots. 12noon WT + S.B.C. 12.45pm: Increased to 8 knots. 2.00pm: Increased to 8.5 knots. 2.15pm: Increased to 9 knots. 2.35pm: Increased to 10 knots. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 5.30pm: Altered course to N70E. 5.35pm: Point del Sabinal abeam: to Port. 5.40pm: Point Clena bearing N40E. 6.00pm: Decreased to 9 knots owing to defect in Port engine. 6.25pm: ~~~ ~~~ Blanca Light bearing S80E. 6.50pm: Course as requisite for anchoring inside Cabo de Gata. 9.05pm: Anchored in 19 fathoms veered to 3 shackles with Port anchor. Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments. 10.15pm: Completed pumping. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-016_1.jpg) 27 February 1920 Almeria Bay Lat 36.82, Long -2.46 9.30am: Ship dragging [anchor]. 9.35am: Weighed Port anchor – returned to previous position and came to with Starboard anchor – veered to 5 shackles. 9.55am: Let go Port anchor – under foot 2 shackles. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-017_0.jpg) 28 February 1920 At Sea Lat 36.4, Long -1.7 It does not take the Cicala very long to catch up with the rest of the flotilla so they must have anchored up somewhere close to Almeria while the Cicala was making repairs. 6.10am: Weighed Port anchor. 6.40am: Weighed Starboard anchor and proceeded alongside S.S. Ebonal 7.00am: Secured alongside S.S. Ebonal and took in 5 tons of oil. 8.10am: Slipped from S.S. Ebonal – course and speed as requisite for leaving anchorage. 8.20am: Streamed log. 8.45am: Cabo de Gata abeam: to Port. Shaped course S35°E – speed 8 knots. 9.45am: Increased to 9.5 knots. 10.30am: Raised steam: in second boiler. 12noon Altered course S62E. WT + S.B.C. 12.05pm: H.M.S. Cricket and H.M.S. Colombo hauled out of line. H.M.S. Cricket not under control. 1.20pm: Decreased to 6 knots. 2.00pm: H.M.S. Hollyhock hauled out of line. 3.15pm: Increased to 11.5 knots. 3.35pm: H.M.S. Colombo took up station. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4.10pm: Decreased to 9.5 knots. 5.00pm: H.M.S. Cricket and H.M.S. Hollyhock took up station. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 8.40 Altered course to N78°E. 9.40pm: Reduced to 8 knots. 11.20pm: Sighted Cape Iri light bearing S71°E. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-017_1.jpg) 29 February 1920 At Sea Lat 35.9, Long -0.6 1.40am: H.M.S. Cricket and H.M.S. Hollyhock dropped astern. 2.45am: Reduced to 5 knots. 3.30am: Cape Iri abeam: to Starboard. 4.00am: Altered course to 235° speed 8 knots. 8.00am: Altered course N76°E. Reduced to 6 knots. WT + S.B.C. 10.00am: Altered course to 235°. 12.15pm: Altered course to 199°. 2.00pm: Hauled in log. Course and speed as required for entering harbour. 2.45pm: Gunboats form single line ahead. 3.00pm: Stopped engines and waited for pilot. 4.00pm: Pilot came on board, proceeded into Oran Harbour. 4.45pm: Secured to H.M.S. Magnolia. 5.30pm: Leave to Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers until 10pm. 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-018_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-018_1.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e73f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-019_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e740: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-019_1.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e741: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-020_0.jpg) 4caf855dcadfd3419700e742: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM 53-69590/ADM 53-69590-020_1.jpg) LOGS FOR MARCH 1920 4caf855acadfd3419700e593: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-001_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e594: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-001_1.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e595: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-002_0.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of March 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by R.G.M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander-in-Command 4caf855acadfd3419700e596: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-002_1.jpg) Nil statement of “Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded” signed off by R.G.M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander on 3rd April 1920. 4caf855acadfd3419700e597: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-003_0.jpg) Barometer – Aneroid; Maker: Wheeler, London - No. M3962 Thermometers for air temperatures: Outside conning tower, no screen. Maker: A. Harper, Birmingham; From 14th January 1920 to 4caf855acadfd3419700e598: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-003_1.jpg) 1 March 1920 Oran Lat 35.72, Long -0.63 Note that the ship now appears to be on Central Continental Time despite there being no recorded changes to her clocks. 9.00am: Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments and repairing awnings. 12noon (Central Continental Time) 1.30pm: Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments and repairing awnings. 3.30pm: Paid hands monthly advance. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 10pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e599: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-004_0.jpg) 2 March 1920 Oran Lat 35.72, Long -0.63 9.00am: Hands employed painting dinghy and pumping out aft. 12noon (Central Continental Time) 2.00pm: Hands employed pumping out aft and cleaning Quarter Deck bright-work. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 10pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-004_1.jpg) 3 March 1920 Oran Lat 35.72, Long -0.63 RFA Ebonol was attached to the flotilla on their journey to Hong Kong – see the page on the site Historical RFA 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning bright-work and repairing awnings. 10.10am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded alongside oiler. 10.25am: Secured to oiler RFA Ebonol. Received 30 tons of oil. 12noon Noon (Central Continental Time) 1.00pm: Hands employed cleaning bright-work and repairing awnings. 2.10pm: Completed with oil fuel – slipped from oiler and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 2.35pm: Secured to H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 10pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-005_0.jpg) 4 March 1920 Oran Lat 36.1, Long -0.6 The Abya Light referred to could be the Cap de l'Aiguille Lighthouse to the East of Oran. See here for more information about this installation. This is a tentative identification based on the given estimate of the Cicala’s midday position given here, which is not the same as the noon position recorded in the log. 9.00am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck and securing ship for sea. 10.50am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 11.15am: Formed divisions in line ahead – to Port. 11.30am: Streamed log. 12.40pm: Abya Light abeam: to Starboard. Shaped course N74°E speed 9 knots. 1.40pm: H.M.S. Magnolia took up station. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4.30pm: Increased to 9.5 knots. 5.00pm: Cap Ivi abeam: Starboard. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 8.55pm: Sighted Cape Tenry Light [Cap Ténès Light?] bearing S77°E. 11.14pm: Cape Tenry Light [Cap Ténès Light?] abeam: to Starboard, distance 7.5’ altered course to S87°E. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-005_1.jpg) 5 March 1920 Oran to Biserte [Bizerte] Lat 37.0, Long 3.9 It is very difficult to identify some of the features that are recorded as landmarks along the North African coast. Some tentative, phonetic, identities have been suggested but they could be wrong! Cap Casba [Casbah] is an interesting case since ‘casbah’, or ‘kasbah’, is an Arabic word meaning ‘citadel’. 2.15am: Sighted Point Shershal Light [Point Cherchell Light?] bearing S48°E. 2.25am: Point Shershal Light [Point Cherchell Light?] bearing S43°E; Cape Tenry Light [Cap Ténès Light?] bearing S78°W. 3.55am: Sighted Cap Caxine Light bearing E by S. 4.00am: WT + S.B.C. 6.50am: Cap Caxine Light bearing S45°E. 7.25am: Cap Caxine Light abeam: to Starboard 5’. 7.55am: H.M.S. Bluebell hauled out of line. 8.00am: WT + S.B.C. 12noon (Central Continental Time) WT + S.B.C. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 6.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 6.55pm: Increased to 10 knots. 7.00pm: Cap Casba Light [Cap Casbah Light?] bearing S35°W. 7.45pm: Cap Casba Light [Cap Casbah Light?] bearing S51°W; Ras Al~~~ bearing S22°E. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 9.15pm: Sighted Cap Bourgaroni Light [Cap Bougaroun Light] bearing S73°E. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-006_0.jpg) 6 March 1920 Bizerte Lat 37.4, Long 9.0 0.15am: Cap Bourgaroni Light [Cap Bougaroun Light] bearing S40°E. 0.30am: Cap Bourgaroni Light [Cap Bougaroun Light] abeam: 3.’5. 1.00am: Cap Casba Light [Cap Casbah Light?] bearing S57°W; Cap Srinina Light [Ile Srigina Light?] bearing S48°E. Increased speed to 10.5 knots. 1.15am: Sighted Cap de Fer Light bearing S73°E. 1.55am: Cap de Fer Light bearing S64°E; Cap Bourganari Light [Cap Bougaroun Light] bearing S80°W. 3.50am: Sighted Cap de ~~~ bearing S56°E. 3.55am: Cap de Fer Light abeam: to Starboard. 4.00am: WT + S.B.C. 5.05am: Cap de Fer Light bearing S73°W. Cap de Genda[?] Light bearing S42°E. 8.00am: WT + S.B.C. 11.00am: ~~~ bearing N44°E. 12noon ~~~ abeam: to Port 12¾’. WT + S.B.C. 12.53pm: Cap Serrat abeam: to Starboard, distance 6¼’. 1.20pm: Fratalli Rocks bearing S53°E; Cape Serrat bearing S33°W. 3.15pm: Altered course to 117°. Cape Gaurdia[?] bearing S46°E. 4.10pm: Altered course to 180°. Hauled in log. Decreased to 8 knots. 4.15pm: Formed single line ahead. 4.30pm: Stopped engines. 5.00pm: Pilot came on board and proceeded into harbour – course and speed as requisite. 5.45pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Mantis at Western side of Bizerte Canal. 8.30pm: Water boat secured alongside received 13 tons (6 tons drinking). 10.00pm: Completed with water - water boat shoved off. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-006_1.jpg) 7 March 1920 Bizerte to Malta Lat 37.6, Long 9.9 For the leg of this journey along the Algerian coast it has often been difficult to match place names in the log with those on Google Maps. However, for Tunisia things are different. Bizerte, Cani Rocks, Lantorcho and Cape Bon can all be found with little difficulty. 6.00am: Slipped from H.M.S. Mantis and proceeded to oiler Ebanol. 6.15am: Secured alongside oiler and completed with oil fuel. Received 43 tons. 9.10am: Slipped from oiler and came to with Starboard anchor in 5 fathoms - 1½ shackles in Canal. 10.30am: Hands employed cleaning bright-work and preparing ship for sea. 10.45am: Weighed anchor and proceeded out of harbour in company with flotilla. 11.20am: Shaped course 081° speed 10.5 knots. 12.05pm: Streamed log. 1.25pm: Cani Rocks abeam: to Port. Altered course to 108°. 4.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 4.15pm: Lantorcho (on Zembra Island [Nabeul Island]) bearing S18°E. 4.30pm: H.M.S. Moth not under control. 4.35pm: H.M.S. Bluebell hauled out of line and remained in company with H.M.S. Moth. 4.45pm: Altered course to 110°. 5.20pm: Cape Bon bearing S16°E. 5.55pm: Cape Bon abeam: to Starboard 5.5’. 6.05pm: Decrease to 9 knots. 7.35pm: H.M.S. Colombo hauled out of line. 7.50pm: H.M.S. Colombo resumed station. 8.00pm: WT + S.B.C. 9.30pm: Altered course to 115°. 11.40pm: Pantelleria Light abeam: to Starboard 7’. 12midnight WT + S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e59f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-007_0.jpg) 8 March 1920 Malta Lat 36.4, Long 14.0 4.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.45am: H.M.S. Colombo and H.M.S. Cricket hauled out of line. 7.00am: Reduced to 6 knots. 8.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Deck. 8.45am: H.M.S. Colombo and H.M.S. Cricket resumed station. 9.00am: Increased to 9 knots. 12noon W.T. & S.B.C. 12.05pm: Altered course to 120°. 1.25pm: Cape San Dimitri bearing 88°W. 1.40pm: Increased to 10.5 knots. 1.45pm: Altered course to 142°. 3.55pm: Formed single line ahead – course and speed as required for entering harbour. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 4.45pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Mantis at 7 and 7’ buoys. 6.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-007_1.jpg) 9 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 Not stated here, although implied by the location given above, it is most likely that the flotilla had tied up in, or close to, Vallencia Harbour. 7.50am: Water boat secured alongside. 9.00am: Water boat shoved off. Received 3 tons. 10.00am: Hands employed pumping out flooded compartments. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning bright-work on Upper Deck and pumping out flooded compartments. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-008_0.jpg) 10 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 The Cicala enters dry dock for repairs – presumably relating to the issue that she is continuing to have with flooded compartments. 7.15am: Tug secured alongside. 7.30am: Slipped from H.M.S. Mantis and placed alongside H.M.S. Endeavour. 8.05am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Endeavour. 9.20am: Tug secured alongside. 9.25am: Slipped from H.M.S. Endeavour and placed in No.5 Dock. 9.55am: Secured in Dock. Hands employed in taking up matting and chipping Forecastle. 2.45pm: Dock dry. Hands employed in cleaning forward compartments and chipping Upper Deck. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-008_1.jpg) 11 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.00am: Hands employed chipping Upper Deck. 10.00am: 1 Able Bodied Seaman discharged to hospital. 2.00pm: Hands employed chipping Upper Deck. 3.00pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-009_0.jpg) 12 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.00am: Hands employed placing anchor in bottom of dock, chipping Upper Deck and covering stanchions. 1.30pm: Hands employed chipping Upper Deck and covering stanchions. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-009_1.jpg) 13 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.00am: Hands employed chipping Upper Deck and covering stanchions. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-010_0.jpg) 14 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.30am: Landed Church of England Church party. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-010_1.jpg) 15 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.00am: Hands employed chipping Upper Deck and scraping ship’s side. 1.30pm: Hands employed scraping ship’s side. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 6.15pm: 1 rating joined ship from H.M.S. Colombo. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-011_0.jpg) 16 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 9.00am: Hands employed drawing paint from Dockyard and scraping ship’s side. 2.00pm: Hands employed scraping ship’s side. 4.00pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 5.00pm: Fire Stations correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-011_1.jpg) 17 March 1920 Malta Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 8.30am: Hands employed scraping ship’s side and stowing cable. 10.00am: Received 26 tons of oil from Dockyard Oiler Persian. 12.30pm: Commenced flooding dock. Hands employed Drawing stores from Dock-yard. 2.45pm: Dock flooded. 2.50pm: Towed out of Dock and secured alongside H.M.S. Bluebell. 3.15 pm: Secured alongside. 3.20pm: Water boat secured alongside. 4.05pm: Water boat shoved off. 4.30pm: Leave to Watch until 7am. 6.00pm: One rating joined ship from H.M.S. Egmont. 8.45pm: One rating joined ship from H.M.S. Colombo. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5a9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-012_0.jpg) 18 March 1920 Malta to Port Said Lat 35.9, Long 14.52 H.M.S. Egmont appears to have been the name of the Royal Navy shore base at Castel St Angelo in the Grand Harbour at Valletta at this time. 8.00am: One rating discharged to H.M.S. Egmont and 1 Petty Officer Cook joined ship from H.M.S. Egmont. 9.00am: Slipped from H.M.S. Bluebell and proceeded out of harbour. 9.25am: Starboard propeller w[as] fouled. 9.30am: Tug secured alongside and towed to 9 and 9a berth. 9.55am: Secured at berth. Hands employed cleaning bright-work and spreading bridge awning. 12noon Dockyard diving boat secured alongside. 12.30pm: Divers employed clearing propeller. 2.00pm: Propeller cleared. 2.10pm: Slipped from buoys and proceeded out of harbour to be taken in tow by H.M.S. Magnolia. 2.55pm: Proceeded in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. Course 106° revolutions for 6½ knots. 3.00pm: Streamed log. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 4.10pm: Hauled in log – defective. 4.40pm: Streamed log. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 12midnight Increased to 160 revolutions. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5aa: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-012_1.jpg) 19 March 1920 Malta to Port Said Lat 35.2, Long 18.4 9.00am: Hands employed scrubbing and washing Upper deck and painting cowls on forecastle. 11.45am: Decreased to 130 revolutions. 12noon W.T. & S.B.C. 12.45pm: Hauled in log – defective. 2.00pm: Streamed log. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 12midnight W.T. & S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ab: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-013_0.jpg) 20 March 1920 Malta to Port Said Lat 34.4, Long 21.8 2.15am: Clocks put on ½ hour. 4.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed sequring[sic] oil-drums and cleaning ship. 11.00am: Altered course to 112°. 12noon W.T. & S.B.C. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 12midnight W.T. & S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ac: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-013_1.jpg) 21 March 1920 Malta to Port Said Lat 33.0, Long 25.9 4.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.30am: Increased to 160 revolutions. 9.15am: Reduced to 130 revolutions. 10.00am: Hands employed painting dinghy and cleaning bright-work. 11.30am: Sighted remainder of flotilla on Starboard beam. 12noon W.T. & S.B.C. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.30pm: Rejoined flotilla. Altered course to 106°. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 11.55pm: Altered course to 130°. 12midnight W.T. & S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ad: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-014_0.jpg) 22 March 1920 Malta to Port Said Lat 31.8, Long 29.4 0.30am: Furled bridge awning. 9.45am: Altered course to 147°. 10.00am: Hands employed pumping out Port forward magazine. 12noon Altered course to 78°. 4.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 10.25pm: Altered course to 91°. 12midnight W.T. & S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ae: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-014_1.jpg) 23 March 1920 Port Said Lat 31.27, Long 32.35 1.45am: Sighted Damietta North Light bearing S40°E. 3.35am: Damietta North Light abeam: to Starboard, distance 19’. 4.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 4.30am: Altered course S31°E (True). 6.06am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia. 7.00pm: Proceeded. Formed single line astern – speed 7 knots. 8.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 9.00am: Stopped engines. Hauled in patent log. 10.10am: Pilot on board – proceeded into harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 11.25am: Came to with Port anchor – veered to 2 shackles. 11.45am: Let go Starboard anchor underfoot. 12noon Secured by stern to 1st Island ~~~il. 4.15pm: leave to Watch until 10pm. 5.45pm: Weighed anchor – proceeded alongside Dredgol. 6.00pm: Secured alongside Dredgol to take in oil fuel. Received 40 tons. 7.35pm: Completed with oil received [ ] tons. Slipped from Dredgol and proceeded alongside Ebonol. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5af: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-015_0.jpg) 24 March 1920 Port Said Lat 31.27, Long 32.35 10.00am: Hands pumping out water and as requisite. 12noon Leave to Watch from 4 - 10pm. 1.30pm: Hands employed pumping out magazine. 3.00pm: Received 6 tons of water. 4.15pm: Warped across to H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.25pm: Secured to H.M.S. Magnolia and slipped from oiler. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-015_1.jpg) 25 March 1920 Port Said to Ismalia Lat 31.10, Long 32.31 This is the day that the flotilla traversed greater part of the Suez Canal. The implication of the use of the collision mats is that the ‘condenser leak’ was actually a leak of cooling water rather than condensate. Hence the need to block the cooling water intake with collision mats that would more usually be deployed as an emergency measure to reduce the inflow of water from hull damage. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and preparing for spreading awnings. 11.25am: Pilot on board. 11.30am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded in company with remainder of flotilla through Canal. 12noon S.B.C. 2.00pm: Hands employed as requisite. 5.40pm: Came to with Starboard anchor 1½ shackles in 22 feet (3⅔ fathoms). 6.15pm: Veered Starboard anchor to 2 shackles. 6.55pm: Weighed Starboard anchor and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 7.20pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 9.20pm: Condenser leaking, placed two collision mats over inlet. 10.00pm: Prepared to be taken in tow. 11.00pm: Collision mats got inboard. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-016_0.jpg) 26 March 1920 Suez, Port Taofik Lat 30.23, Long 32.54 5.05am: Hands at stations for casting off. 5.30am: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia. 5.40am: Taken in tow by H.M.S. Magnolia, 7 knots. 7.20am: H.M.S. Magnolia increased to 10 knots. 8.00am: Dressed ship with Masthead Flags. 8.25am: H.M.S. Magnolia increased to 11 knots. 8.30am: H.M.S. Magnolia increased to 13 knots. 9.00pm: H.M.S. Magnolia decreased to 12 knots. 10.30am: Hands employed clearing up Upper Deck. 12.45pm: Secured to H.M.S. Magnolia. 1.15pm: Warped alongside H.M.S. Colombo and slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia. 1.45pm: H.M.S. Cricket secured alongside. 2.00pm: Hands employed spreading awnings. 3.00pm: Received 4 tons of oil from Dredgol. 4.00pm: Leave granted to Chief and Petty Officers from 4pm: to 8pm. 4.30pm: Sub Lieutenant Eastley discharged to hospital ashore. 4.30pm: Water Boat secured alongside. Received 3 tons. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-016_1.jpg) 27 March 1920 Suez, Port Taofik Lat 29.94, Long 32.56 9.00am: Hands employed spreading Quarter Deck awning. 12noon S.B.C. 1.20pm: Recreation Party landed. Leave granted to Chief and Petty Officers from 1.20 to 8.00pm. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Recreation Party returned on board. 9.00pm: Sub Lieutenant F.T. Boswell lent from H.M.S. Colombo (in lieu of Sub Lieutenant Eastley) joined ship. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-017_0.jpg) 28 March 1920 Suez to Port Sudan Lat 29.1, Long 32.8 4.00am: S.B.C. 5.40am: H.M.S. Cricket cast off. 5.45am: Slipped from H.M.S. Colombo and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 7.00am: Proceeded in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia speed 11 knots course 180°. 8.00am: Streamed patent log. S.B.C. 9.20am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck. 8.45am: Altered course 157°. 11.50am: Zafarana Light House abeam: 4½’. 12noon S.B.C. 3.30pm: Altered course 135°. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.55pm: H.M.S. Magnolia hauled out of line to avoid sailing ship. 9.10pm: Passed sailing ship ¼ mile on Port side. 9.15pm: Resumed position in line. 9.45pm: Passed Ashrafi Light House 1.9 on Starboard beam. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-017_1.jpg) 29 March 1920 Suez to Port Sudan Lat 26.3, Long 34.8 12.15am: Altered course to 149°. 12.41am: Shadwan Light [Shaker Island Light] abeam: 1.6 miles. 4.00am: S.B.C. 5.00am: Tow parted. 5.30am: Hands employed clearing towing pendants and handing on hemp hawser from H.M.S. Magnolia to towing ~~~. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Slipped H.M.S. Magnolia’s towing wire and proceeded at 160 revolutions, course 149°. 11.15am: Sighted Brothers Light [Al-Ikhwan Light] on Starboard bow. 12noon S.B.C. 1.10pm: Stopped in lee of “Brothers”. Hauled in patent log. 1.19pm: In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia, Streamed patent log. 2.20pm: Stopped to secure pin of towing slip[?]. 2.25pm: Hauled in patent log. 3.01pm: Proceeded in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia, 160 revolutions course 146°. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 11.30pm: Sighted Daedalus Reef Light [Abu el Kizân Light]. 12midnight Daedalus Reef Light [Abu el Kizân Light] S47°E Co~~ (S~~t) altered course 154° True. S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-018_0.jpg) 30 March 1920 Suez to Port Sudan Lat 23.3, Long 36.8 0.59am: Daedalus Reef Light House [Abu el Kizân Light] abeam: (Port) distant 5.5 miles. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.00am: Increased to 10 knots. S.B.C. 9.00am: S.B.C. 10.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 3.10pm: Reduced to 160 revolutions. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.25pm: Increased to 200 revolutions. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-018_1.jpg) 31 March 1920 Port Sudan Lat 19.6, Long 37.24 3.00am: Sighted remainder of China flotilla on Port bow. 3.05am: Reduced to 160 revolutions. 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.14am: Altered course 185° true. 7.10am: Altered course 205° true. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.30am: Slipped tow. 9.48am: Ready to proceed. 12noon S.B.C. 12.27pm: Cleared Breakwater Light. 12.50pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 3.30pm: Lieutenant Commander Forquhar (N) of H.M.S. Colombo came on board to adjust compass. S.B.C. 4.00pm: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded to swing for adjustment of compass. 5.45pm: Secured alongside Dredgol (oiler). 7.10pm: Water Boat came alongside. Received 6 tons. 7.35pm: Water Boat cast off. 7.40pm: Finished oiling – received 37 tons. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 8.05pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-019_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-019_1.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5b9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-020_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ba: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-020_1.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5bb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-021_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5bc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37797/ADM 53-37797-021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR APRIL 1920 4caf8556cadfd3419700e417: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0001_0.jpg) 4caf8556cadfd3419700e418: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of April 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by F.T. Boswell, Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy. 4caf8556cadfd3419700e419: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0002_0.jpg) 4caf8556cadfd3419700e41a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0002_1.jpg) Nil statement of “Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded” signed off by ”R.G.M. Hunt Lieutenant Commander”. 4caf8556cadfd3419700e41b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0003_0.jpg) Barometer: Aneroid; T. Wheeler, No 3961; mounted 25 feet above sea. Barometer incorrect. 14th April barometer borrowed from H.M.S. Magnolia: Aneroid; T. Wheeler, London, No 3817; 25 feet above sea. Error not known. Thermometers for Air Temperature: Not on board. Thermometer for Sea Temperature: [Blank] 4caf8556cadfd3419700e41c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0003_1.jpg) 1 April 1920 Port Sudan Lat 19.6, Long 37.24 4.00am: S.B.C. 7.30am: Provisions taken on board. S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed spreading Quarter Deck matting and cleaning paintwork. 9.30am: H.M.S. Colombo’s Working Party arrived on board. 11.45am: H.M.S. Colombo’s Working Party left ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.20pm: H.M.S. Colombo’s Working Party arrived on board. 2.30pm: Hands employed spreading awnings and shortening towing pendant and repairing fenders. 4.00pm: S.B.C. Leave granted to Chief and Petty Officers from 4.00pm: to 10.00pm. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8556cadfd3419700e41d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0004_0.jpg) 2 April 1920 Port Sudan Lat 19.6, Long 37.24 This was Good Friday in 1920 – possibly explaining the ‘Sunday Routine’ at the start of the day. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship (Sunday Routine). 3.50pm: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour. S.B.C. 4.03pm: Cleared Breakwater Light. 4.33pm: Proceeded to get in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.36pm: In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 5.00pm: Clocks out on ½ hour. 5.40pm: 160 revolutions. 6.00pm: Increased to 180 revolutions, course 090°. H.M.S. Magnolia 11 knots. 6.06pm: North Towartit Reef Beacon S21½W (Magnetic); Wingate Reef Beacon N49½W (Magnetic). 6.41pm: Sanganeb Reef Light abeam: Port, ‑ 9’. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Altered course 103° True. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8556cadfd3419700e41e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0004_1.jpg) 3 April 1920 Port Sudan to Aden Lat 18.0, Long 39.6 3.00am: Altered course 144° True. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.25am: Increased to 190 revolutions. 10.30am: Hands employed scrubbing matting and cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 3.00pm: Log line carried away. 3.20pm: Re-streamed log. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e421: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0005a_0.jpg) 4 April 1920 Port Sudan to Aden Lat 15.7, Long 41.7 Easter Sunday in 1920 and the Cicala continues to be in tow of the Magnolia. This log page is difficult to read. The author used a broad nib pen and a small hand. In places the ink has run to form blotches and several looped letters suffered from their loops filling with ink. Place names have been checked using The Lighthouse Explorer website’s database. The modern name, or the corrected name, placed in square brackets behind the name given in the log. 12midnight Clocks put on 15 minutes. 1.20am: Reduced to 6 knots. 2.30pm: Furled Bridge Awning. 4.00am: S.B.C. 7.20am: H.M.S. Colombo hauled out of line and hoisted disregard signal. 7.48am: Passed H.M.S. Colombo with H.M.S. Cricket in tow. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.45am: Sighted Jebel Tier [Jabal at Tair] S30E. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning Mess Decks. 11.10am: H.M.S. Magnolia decreased to 7 knots, H.M.S. Cicala to 4 knots in order to await arrival of H.M.S. Moth. 11.20am: H.M.S. Moth joins up. 11.23am: Stopped both. 11.30am: H.M.S. Magnolia increased to 7 knots. 12noon S.B.C. 1.51pm: Increased to 100 revolutions, H.M.S. Magnolia 7 knots, course 199°. 2.20pm: H.M.S. Magnolia increased to 10 knots. 2.57pm: Jebel Tier Light House [Jabal at Tair Light House] abeam: distance 1.5’ (Port). 3.05pm: Course 151°. 3.11pm: Jebel Tiar [Jabal at Tair] abeam: Port 1.4 miles on new course. 5.00pm: Sighted Jebel Zebayid [Jabal Zubayr] on Port bow. 6.00pm: Jebel Zebayid [Jabal Zubayr] S46E; Jebel Tiar [Jabal at Tiar] N24W; Altered course 168° Increased to 6 knots[?]. 6.47pm: Central Peak Island Light [Zubair Islands Light] S57½E ~~~ 8.00pm: Reduced to 5 knots. S.B.C. 8.45pm: Altered course to 147°. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e422: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0005a_1.jpg) 5 April 1920 Port Sudan to Aden Lat 14.5, Long 42.5 Notes at the bottom of the page indicate that the Cicala was in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia and that the ship’s barometer was giving incorrect readings all day. 12midnight Clocks put on 15 minutes. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed rigging weather screens and cleaning Mess Deck. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 3.10pm: Altered course to 145°. 3.40pm: Increased to 7 knots. 3.50pm: Mo~~~ ‑ 12 knots. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.37pm: High Island abeam: Starboard 0.7’. 4.56pm: Quoin Light House [Abu Ail Light House] abeam: Port 1.7’. 5.06pm: Altered course 160°. 5.11pm: Quoin Light House [Abu Ail Light House] N2E; High Islands >| N38W. 5.12pm: H.M.S. Magnolia decreases to 10 knots. 5.26pm: Cicala reduce to 5 knots. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e41f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0005_0.jpg) 6 April 1920 Port Sudan to Aden Lat 12.7, Long 43.4 This log page is difficult to read. The issue continues to be the author’s use of a broad nib and a small hand. The author has crammed as much detail as possible in to a small space. Consequently, parts of this page are all but illegible. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.05am: Increased to 130 revolutions. 7.05am: Altered course to 138. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.20am: Hands employed ~~~ing up Port awnings and unrigging weather screens. 10.25am: Hauled in patent log. 10.34am: Proceeded to slip tow. 10.36am: Half astern both. 10.36½am: Stopped both. 11.15am: Slipped tow with buoy and buoy rope. 11.16am: Half astern both. 11.25am: Half ahead both , 180 revolutions, course 113° true. 11.30am: Streamed patent log. 11.40am: Lloyds Signal[?] Station S18½W ~~~; Perim Light House [Perim Island High Light] S27½E; Jebel Ma~~~ S~6½E 12noon S.B.C. 12.20pm: Increased to 200 revolutions. 12.30pm: Perim Light House [Perim Island High Light] N77½W magnetic; Perim >| N67½W magnetic; S~ei~~ Ma~~ N36½E magnetic; M~~haIi Peak N46½E magnetic. 12.39pm: Altered course 108° true. 1.17pm: Stopped both engines in order to furl awnings. 1.34pm: Half ahead both engines, 200 revolutions, course 108° true. 2.06pm: Altered course 100° true. 3.38pm: Altered course 86° true. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.15pm: Altered course 113° true. 5.00pm: Altered course 80° true. 8.49pm: Altered course 98° true. 9.02pm: Sighted Elephant’s Back Light N60E. 9.10pm: Altered course 63° true. 10.15pm: Altered course N true. Hauled in patent log. 10.50pm: Secured alongside oiler Dredgol. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e420: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0005_1.jpg) 7 April 1920 Aden Lat 12.83, Long 45.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.15am: H.M.S. Cockchafer secured alongside. 7.00am: Hands employed rigging hoses for oiling ship and spreading awnings. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed pumping out Bo’sun’s Store, refitting and as requisite. 9.30am: Received 43 tons oil. 11.10am: H.M.S. Cockchafer cast off. 11.15am: Cast off from Dredgol and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 12noon S.B.C. 12.10pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. magnolia. 1.40pm: Water boat Empress secured alongside. Received 17 tons of fresh water, 6 tons drinking. 2.30pm: Water boat cast off. Hands employed pumping out Bo’sun’s store, refitting towing pendant and Quarter Deck matting. Remainder as requisite. 4.00pm: S.B.C. Leave granted to Starboard Watch from 4.30pm: to 10.0pm. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Libertymen returned on board. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e423: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0006_0.jpg) 8 April 1920 Aden Lat 12.83, Long 45.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper Deck, pumping out Bo’sun’s Store, refitting towing pendant, bridge matting and canvas bath. Remainder employed painting ventilation cowls and spreading Quarter Deck matting. 12noon S.B.C. 1.10pm: Hands employed painting ventilation cowls, refitting, Bridge matting and towing pendant, remainder as requisite. 3.15pm: H.M.S. Moth secured alongside. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 4.30pm: to 10.00pm. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Libertymen returned on board. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e424: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0006_1.jpg) 9 April 1920 Aden Lat 12.83, Long 45.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning and painting ship. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave granted to Starboard Watch from 1.30pm: to 10.00pm. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Libertymen returned on board. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e425: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0007_0.jpg) 10 April 1920 Aden Lat 12.83, Long 45.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.15am: Hands employed cleaning ditty boxes. 12.30pm: Leave granted to Port Watch from 1.30pm: to 10.00pm. Chief and Petty Officers 1.30pm: to midnight. 3.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 5.00pm: Water boat secured alongside. Received 4 tons. 6.00pm: Water boat cast off. 10.00pm: Libertymen returned on board 2 absentees. 10.40pm: Two absentees returned on board. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e426: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0007_1.jpg) 11 April 1920 Aden to Sokotra [Socotra] Lat 12.7, Long 45.5 5.50am: H.M.S. Moth cast off. 5.58am: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour with rest of flotilla, H.M.S. Magnolia, H.M.S. Colombo, H.M.S. Bluebell and H.M.S. Cricket. Course and speed as requisite. 7.10am: Streamed patent log. 7.14am: Course 093, 6 knots, S86E Compass. ~~~ 7.18am: Elephant Back’s Light House abeam, 1.2 miles, speed of flotilla 7 knots. 7.52am: Stopped both. Hauled in patent log. 8.00am: S.B.C. Half ahead both, 100 revolutions. Ras Mashag Light abeam: 1.8’. 8.14am: 160 revolutions to get in station. 8.15am: Streamed patent log. 8.20am: 200 revolutions. 8.30am: Hands employed spreading matting and cleaning Mess Deck and ship. Revolutions as required for keeping station. 10.00am: Divisions. 11.00am: One helmet lost overboard by accident. 12noon S.B.C. Speed of flotilla reduced to 6 knots. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e427: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0008_0.jpg) 12 April 1920 Aden to Sokotra [Socotra] Lat 12.6, Long 47.9 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed re-spreading Quarter Deck awning and scrubbing Upper Deck. 10.30am: Hands employed spreading after awnings. 12noon S.B.C. 12.40pm: Altered course to 087° True. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 6.30pm: Sloped ~~~ings. 8.00pm: Speed of flotilla increased to 7 knots. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e428: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0008_1.jpg) 13 April 1920 Aden to Sokotra [Socotra] Lat 12.7, Long 50.9 4.00am: S.B.C. 5.45am: H.M.S. Moth taken in tow by H.M.S. Hollyhock. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed respreading Quarter Deck awning and cleaning ship. 9.30am: Hands employed refitting fenders and making ladder screens. 11.00am: 3 rugs lost overboard by accident. 12noon S.B.C. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Hands employed rigging weather screens. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.15pm: Speed of flotilla reduced to 6½ knots. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e429: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0009_0.jpg) 14 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 12.65, Long 53.8 Barometer readings from 6pm: forwards are taken with a barometer borrowed from H.M.S. Magnolia. These readings are marked as being “correct as far as known”. The log also notes that the Cicala is back in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.50am: Altered course 190°. 4.52am: Sighted Ras Shoab [Ras Shaab] 179° True. 5.00pm: Speed of flotilla reduced to 6 knots. 6.00am: Course and speed as requisite for getting astern of Dredgol entering harbour. 6.50am: Hauled in patent log. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.15am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Mantis alongside Royal Fleet Auxiliary Oiler Dredgol. Hands employed rigging hoses for oiling, re-spreading awnings, refitting and as requisite. Received 34½ tons oil. Received 5 tons of water. 8.30am: H.M.S. Colombo entered harbour. 12noon S.B.C. Clocks put on 40 minutes. 12.40 Cast off from H.M.S. Mantis alongside Dredgol. 12.50pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 2.30pm: Hands employed as requisite. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.05pm: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite for getting in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.25pm: In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. Course 000° speed as requisite. 4.40pm: Speed 6 knots. 5.00pm: Speed 8 knots. 5.03pm: Stopped Starboard engine in order to make good defect. Slow ahead Port. 5.12pm: Course 044° True, N48E Compass. 5.15pm: Stopped Port [engine]. 5.55pm: Altered course 070° True. 6.00pm: Shaped Quarter Deck awning[?]. S.B.C. 7.00pm: Streamed patent log. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.00pm: Starboard Engine connected up, half speed ahead both, 100 revolutions. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0009_1.jpg) 15 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 13.8, Long 56.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning paintwork, brightwork, refitting and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0010_0.jpg) 16 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 15.0, Long 59.5 In tow of HMS Magnolia. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning paintwork, brightwork and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0010_1.jpg) 17 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 16.2, Long 63.0 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed scrubbing matting, cleaning brightwork and paintwork, and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0011_0.jpg) 18 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 17.3, Long 66.4 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.30am: Increased to 5½ knots in order to keep station. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.15am: Increased to 200 revolutions, 10 knots. 10.20am: Divisions. 12noon S.B.C. Clocks put on 10 minutes at Noon. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.00pm: Clocks put on 10 minutes. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 6.05pm: Reduced to 160 revolutions. 7.40pm: Increased to 170 revolutions. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.00pm: Clocks put on 10 minutes. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0011_1.jpg) 19 April 1920 Sokotra [Socotra] to Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 18.6, Long 70.3 2.00am: Clocks put on 10 minutes. 4.00am: S.B.C. 5.00am: Clocks put on 10 minutes. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting Upper Deck casing. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Altered course 084° True. 1.30pm: Clocks put on 10 minutes. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.15pm: Hauled in patent log. Course and speed as requisite for slipping tow. 5.20am: Slipped tow. 5.27pm: Ready to proceed. 5.20 Clocks put on 50 minutes. 6.35pm: Speed 9 knots, course 084°. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e42f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0012_0.jpg) 20 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 2.20am: Sighted Kundari Island Light S78E. Reduced to 7½ knots. 4.25am: Sighted Prongs Light:[Prongs Reef Light] bearing East. 5.00am: Altered course 072° 5.50am: Kundari Island Light abeam: to Starboard. 6.15am: Hauled in patent log. 7.00am: Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour. 7.20am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia at No 6 buoy. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 10.30am: H.M.S. Colombo’s work party arrived on board. 11.45am: H.M.S. Colombo’s work party left ship. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Water Boat secured alongside. Received 5 tons drinking water. 1.15pm: Hands employed painting ship. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 4.30 to 7.00pm. 5.20pm: Water Boat cast off. 7.00pm: 1 Petty Officer and 3 Able Bodied Seamen joined ship from H.M.S. Colombo. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e430: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0012_1.jpg) 21 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 One of the design features of the Insect class is that their propellers that are concealed within tunnels in its hull. This is to protect the propellers from fouling or damage when working in shallow water. However, from today’s log it seems that this design feature has made repairing damage to the Cicala sustained on the high seas somewhat more difficult. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 9.15am: Diving boat from H.M.S. Colombo secured alongside. Diving operations on Port Tunnel commenced. 12noon S.B.C. 12.10pm: Provision boat secured alongside. 12.30pm: Hands employed clearing provision boat and striking down provisions. 2.15pm: Diving Boat left ship. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 4.30pm: to 7.00am. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e431: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0013_0.jpg) 22 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 The acronym R.I.M. stands for Royal Indian Marine which was the name for the Indian naval service at this time. See Wikipedia on the Royal Indian Marine for more about this unusual name and how it arose. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.50am: R.I.M. Dockyard Tug secured alongside. 9.00am: Slipped from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded to No 2 buoy. 9.25am: Secured to No.2 buoy. 9.30am: Tug cast off. 11.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.00pm: R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party working in Engine Room. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 4.30pm: to 7.00am. 5.00pm: Hands employed veering cable, baling out and hoisting life boat and taking up Quarter Deck matting. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e432: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0013_1.jpg) 23 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed clearing up Decks and painting ship’s side. 10.30am: R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party employed in Engine Room. 12noon S.B.C. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 3.00pm: R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party employed in Engine Room. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 4.30pm: to 7.00am. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e433: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0014_0.jpg) 24 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship’s side. 10.30am: Store Party left ship. 11.00am: R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party employed in Engine Room. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.30pm: to 7.00am. ands make and mend clothes. R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party employed in Engine Room. 2.30pm: R.I.M. Dockyard Lighter came alongside with lubricating oil. Duty Hands employed clearing lighter. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.30pm: Lighter cast off. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e434: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0014_1.jpg) 25 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] Lat 19.0, Long 72.87 This day’s log includes a second mention of the Kundari Island Light House. This light does not appear to exist today but references can be found to it in the London Gazette. One of these, from 19th June 1888, tells us that “Fishing stakes are not allowed to be placed within the ranges of visibility of either Prongs or Kundari Island Lights, outside the 10-fathoms line of soundings.” R.F.A. is the acronym for Royal Fleet Auxillary. You can find out more about the Dredgol here on the historicalrfa.org site that tells the stories of the R.F.A. ships and men. The page on the Dredgol also includes a good photograph of the Cicala. However, this is not the Cicala of 1920. The image shows armour plate fitted around the breeches of the 6 inch guns – a modification that the editor believes was fitted during the Cicala’s service on China Station. It also clearly shows the two ship’s heads overhanging her stern. 3.55am: Dockyard boat came alongside for Work Party. 4.00am: R.I.M. Dockyard Work Party left ship. S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. R.I.M. Dockyard Tug came alongside. Water Boat secured alongside. 8.45am: Water Boat cast off. Received 4 tons drinking water. 8.50am: Slipped from No.2 buoy. 9.00am: Secured alongside R.F.A. Oiler Dredgol at No.1 buoy. 9.15am: Tug cast off. Received 43½ tons of oil. 11.10am: R.I.M. Dockyard Tug secured alongside. 12noon S.B.C. 12.20pm: Cast off from R.F.A. Oiler Dredgol. 1.15pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 2.00pm: 1 Signals Rating re-joined ship from H.M.S. Hollyhock. 2.20pm: 1 Petty Officer and 3 Able Bodied Seamen, Balance Crew left ship for H.M.S. Colombo. 3.10pm: Hands employed securing ship for sea. 4.10pm: Secured astern of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.15pm: H.M.S. Magnolia slipped from No.6 buoy and proceeded out of harbour. Cicala in tow at short stay. 4.50pm: Stopped both – H.M.S. Magnolia veered tow. 4.55pm: Proceeded course 217 speed 6 knots. 5.04pm: Prongs Light House abeam: [to] Starboard. 5.40pm: Speed 10 knots. 6.15pm: Streamed patent log. 6.40pm: Kundari Island Light House abeam. 6.53pm: Course 169°. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e435: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0015_0.jpg) 26 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] to Colombo Lat 16.1, Long 73.2 Cicala remains in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. This is one of those interesting times that fact and fiction collide. If you put St George’s Island from the entry for 6.32pm: into Google the results include a reference to a Wikipedia list of fictional places from the English television comedy ‘Yes Minister’. The Editor of this log was unable to pin this location down. His best guess was that it is somewhere off the coast of Goa. 1.45am: H.M.S. Magnolia hauled out of line owing to defective steering gear. 2.00am: Increased to 160 revolutions and resumed position in line. 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.33am: Jaigarh Light abeam: distance 8’. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.05am: Speed of flotilla increased to 10½ knots. Cicala increased to 7½’, Magnolia to 11 knots. 10.00am: Hands employed scrubbing and scraping Upper Deck. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.30pm: Vengurla Rocks Light House abeam: 6.8 miles. Altered course to 157°. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.32pm: St George's Island abeam. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 8.20pm: Hands employed furling and securing awnings. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e436: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0015_1.jpg) 27 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] to Colombo Lat 12.6, Long 74.8 In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 10.40am: Barn Hill S72E; Chimney, Mangalore N~~E; Kundi [Kadri?] Hill N58E. 11.55am: Barn Hill abeam. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.45pm: Increased to 190 revolutions. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 7.30pm: Stopped both , Engine Room defect. 7.52pm: Kadalur [Point] Light abeam: ‑ 16’. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.51pm: Ready to proceed. Half speed ahead both, 200 revolutions. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e437: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0016_0.jpg) 28 April 1920 Bombay [Mumbai] to Colombo Lat 8.9, Long 76.4 In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 3.40am: Resumed position in line and reduced to 190 revolutions. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.00am: Reduced to 180 revolutions. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed scraping Upper Deck. 12noon S.B.C. 12.19pm: Quilan Light House [Kollam: Light] bearing N40E ‑ 7’. 1.00pm: Altered course 140° True. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 6.53pm: Muttom [Point] Light abeam: 1.5’. 7.00pm: Muttom [Point] Light bearing N35E, altered course 113° True. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e438: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0016_1.jpg) 29 April 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 Still in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia at start of day but tow is slipped around breakfast time in preparation for entering harbour. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed slipping tow and preparing ship for entering harbour. 9.47am: Slip tow – stopped both. Hauled in patent log. 9.50am: Slipped tow course and speed as requisite. 9.55am: Ready to proceed. 10.05am: Course 113°, speed 7 knots. Half ahead both, 120 revolutions. 10.15am: Increased to 160 revolutions. 10.35am: Altered course 096° True. 10.55am: Increased to 8½ knots. 11.05am: Altered course 087° True. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour. 12noon S.B.C. 1.06pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Moth alongside R.F.A. Oiler War Nizam. 2.07pm: Water Boat came alongside. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.45pm: H.M.S. Moth cast off from Oiler War Nizam. 6.50pm: Balance crew arrived on board from H.M.S. Colombo. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e439: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0017_0.jpg) 30 April 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 Someone appears to have used a non-standard ink on this page that was based on a fugitive dyestuff. Some entries on this page have faded to give low contrast lines of a pale brown colour. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.00am: Started oiling. Received 41 tons. 7.00am: H.M.S. Mantis secured alongside. 8.00am: S.B.C. 11.06am: Cast off from Oiler War Nizam. 11.30am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 12noon S.B.C. 1.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 2.30 to 10.30pm. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0017_1.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0018_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0018_1.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0019_0.jpg) 4caf8557cadfd3419700e43e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37798/ADM-53-37798-0019_1.jpg) LOGS FOR MAY 1920 4caf855acadfd3419700e5bd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5be: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of April 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by F.T. Boswell, Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5bf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0003_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0003_1.jpg) Nil statement of “Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded” signed off by ”R.G.M. Hunt Lieutenant Commander” dated 2nd June 1920. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0004_0.jpg) Barometer: Aneroid; T. Wheeler, No. 3962; mounted 20 feet above sea. Not in working order ‑ readings not kept. Barometer borrowed from H.M.S. Magnolia was returned to Magnolia on 17th May. Ship’s barometer is not in working order, pointer remains steady the whole time so no readings taken since 17th May. Thermometers for air temperatures: On bridge abaft Conning Tower, not in screen. Thermometer for Sea Temperature: Nil. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0004_1.jpg) 1 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 The faded ink continues on this page with almost all entries reduced to low contrast lines of a pale brown colour. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 2.30pm: to 10.30pm. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0005_0.jpg) 2 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 The non-standard ink has been used again on this page so many entries are badly faded. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Church of England Church Party landed. 9.00am: Dockyard Working Party arrived on board. 11.45am: Church Party arrived on board. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.00pm: to 10.30pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0005_1.jpg) 3 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 Yet another badly faded page. 8.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 8.10am: Dockyard Work Party arrived on board. 9.00am: Water Boat secured alongside. 9.20am: Water Boat cast off. Received 6 tons. 11.00am: Dockyard Work Party left ship. 12.30pm: Dockyard Work Party arrived on board. 1.30pm: Leave granted to the Watch from 2.30 to 10pm. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.10pm: Dockyard Work Party left ship. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0006_0.jpg) 4 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 Today’s log has just a single faded entry – the remaining entries are in a high contrast, black ink. 4.00am: S.B.C. 7.30am: Dockyard Work Party arrived on board. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 2.30 to 10.00pm. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Liberty men returned on board. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0006_1.jpg) 5 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 7.30am: Men going to Kandy landed. 8.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and pumping out after compartments and painting ship’s side. 9.00am: Recreation Party landed. 10.10am: Water Boat secured alongside. Received 1½ tons. 10.30am: Recreation Party returned on board. Water Boat cast off. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 2.30 to 10.00pm. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Liberty men returned on board. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0007_0.jpg) 6 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship’s side, cleaning brightwork and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 2.30 to 10.00pm. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0007_1.jpg) 7 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.00am: Kandy Party left ship. 8.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 2.30 to 10.00pm. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 10.00pm: Liberty men returned on board. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5c9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0008_0.jpg) 8 May 1920 Colombo Lat 6.95, Long 79.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.11am: Water Boat secured alongside. Received 2 tons fresh water. 11.00am: Water Boat cast off. 12.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.30 to 10.00pm. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.30pm: Racing Boats’ Crews and Aquatic Sports Party left ship. 9.00pm: Colombo’s Party left ship. 10.00pm: Sub Lieutenant Boswell re-joined ship. Liberty men returned on board. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ca: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0008_1.jpg) 9 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 6.8, Long 79.8 The Cicala resumes her journey in the tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. Over 90 years later, in 2012 the Mount Lavinia Hotel remains a local landmark standing on an outcrop some 6 to 8 miles South of Colombo’s harbour. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.30am: Water Boat secured alongside. 7.10am: Water Boat cast off. 8.00am: S.B.C. Hands employed securing ship for sea. 9.10am: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 9.55am: Stopped both. Proceeded to get in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 9.59am: In tow of Magnolia. 10.42am: Course 185 speed 8 knots. 10.50am: Streamed patent log. 11.02am: Half ahead both 180 revolutions. 11.56am: Mount Lavinia Hotel abeam: 3’. 12noon S.B.C. 12.33pm: Altered course 175° True. 12.38pm: Altered course 165° True. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.10am: Barberyn Light abeam: 8.3’. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.30pm: Altered course 140° True. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 6.55pm: Galle Point Light bearing N55E. Altered course 107° True. 7.20pm: Galle Point Light abeam: Port. 7.45pm: Sighted Dondra Head Light on Port bow. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.51pm: Dondra Head Light abeam: 3.6’ (Port). 9.57 Altered course 089° True. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5cb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0009_0.jpg) 10 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 5.8, Long 82.5 The Cicala is in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia again as the flotilla traverses the Bay of Bengal. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed clearing up Upper Deck and cleaning out dinghy. 10.30am: Reduced to 120 revolutions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight Clocks put on 15 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5cc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0009_1.jpg) 11 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 5.8, Long 85.8 The Cicala is still in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia as the flotilla continues to traverse the Bay of Bengal. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed painting dingy. 8.45am: Reduced to 110 revolutions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight Clocks advanced 15 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5cd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0010_0.jpg) 12 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 6.1, Long 89.5 The Cicala is still in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia again as the flotilla traverses the Bay of Bengal. 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed painting dingy and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. Altered course to 093° True. 1.40pm: Increased to 120 revolutions. 6.42pm: Increased to 130 revolutions. 12midnight Clocks advanced 15 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ce: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0010_1.jpg) 13 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 6.0, Long 93.4 The Cicala is still in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia as the flotilla traverses the Bay of Bengal. The Pulo Bras Light in today’s log is difficult to find on the web. However, it is listed in the publication “American practical navigator, an epitome of navigation and nautical astronomy” where its location is given as Latitude 5° 45’ 0”N, Longitude 95° 4’ 33”E and it is associated with “Acheen/Acheh Head”. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship, painting dingy and as requisite. 9.36am: Reduced to 120 revolutions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Altered course to 101°. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 9.08pm: Pulo Bras bearing S58E (white light). 9.16pm: Altered course 112° True. 10.45pm: Sighted Red Light, Pulo Bras S48E. 11.20pm: Paulo Bras Light abeam: 3.2 miles (Port). 12midnight Clocks advanced 15 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5cf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0011_0.jpg) 14 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 5.7, Long 96.8 The Cicala remains in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia as the flotilla nears Penang in Malaysia. Again the publication “American practical navigator, an epitome of navigation and nautical astronomy” identifies the Diamond Point Light House giving its location as Latitude 5° 15’ 58”N, Longitude 97° 30’ 11 E”. 12.25am: Sighted Pulo B~~~ on Port bow. 12.45am: Altered course 094° True. 2.00am: Pulo B~~~ Light abeam: Starboard 2.2’. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. Speed of flotilla decreased to 8 knots. 8.30am: Hands employed painting dingy and canvassing dinghy’s oars. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.55pm: Speed of flotilla increased to 8½ knots. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 7.00pm: Sighted Diamond Light on Starboard bow. 7.15pm: Altered course 090° True. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight Clocks advanced 15 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0011_1.jpg) 15 May 1920 Colombo to Penang Lat 5.5, Long 99.8 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.10am: Sighted land on Starboard bow. 8.20am: reduced to 110 revolutions (speed of fleet 8 knots). 8.30am: Altered course to 08~° True. 10.15am: Reduced to 100 revolutions (speed of fleet 6 knots). 11.25am: Stopped both. Prepared to cast off tow. 11.28am: Slipped tow. Hauled in patent log. 11.32am: Ready to proceed. 12noon S.B.C. 12.08pm: Altered course 070°, speed of flotilla 9 knots. 12.43pm: Altered course 60° True. 1.04pm: Muka Head Light House abeam. 1.55pm: Altered course 100°. 2.10pm: Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour. 3.05pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Cricket, alongside Oiler Dredgol. Received 48 tons of oil. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.40pm: Balance Crew from H.M.S. Colombo re-joined ship. 6.00pm: H.M.S. Cricket cast off. 7.25pm: Finished oiling. Received 7.30pm: Cast off from oiler and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 8.00pm: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0012_0.jpg) 16 May 1920 Penang Lat 5.4, Long 100.355 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.30 to 10pm. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0012_1.jpg) 17 May 1920 Penang Lat 5.4, Long 100.35 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and rigging boats awnings. 9.40am: Water Boat came alongside. 10.00am: Water Boat cast off. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: H.M.S. Magnolia's aneroid barometer returned to Magnolia. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0013_0.jpg) 18 May 1920 Penang Lat 5.4, Long 100.35 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Hands employed rigging bath, splicing wire, and pumping out aft compartment. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes 4.30pm: Leave to the Port Watch from 4.30 to 10.00pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0013_1.jpg) 19 May 1920 Penang Lat 5.4, Long 100.35 4.00am: S.B.C. 6.50am: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia. 7.00am: H.M S. Magnolia proceeded to sea. 7.10am: H.M.S. Colombo proceeded to sea 7.30am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Mantis alongside H.M.S. Hollyhock. 8.00am: S.B.C. Hands employed scrubbing decks and repairing awnings. 12noon S.B.C. 2.30pm: Cast off from H.M.S. Mantis and proceeded out of harbour – course and speed as requisite. 4.12pm: Pulau Rimau abeam. 4.18pm: Pulau Rimau N46E; No.9 Buoy S79E: Compass deviation 11/5°E. Altered course 220°, speed 9 knots. 5.40pm: H.M.S. Colombo resumed guide of Fleet, course 173°, speed 9 knots. 5.45pm: H.M.S. Magnolia took up station in the line. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0014_0.jpg) 20 May 1920 Penang to Singapore Lat 2.7, Long 101.3 There are several phonetic spellings for place names on this page. These make it difficult to positively identify all the landmarks referred to. Corrected and/or modern spellings have been appended to the phonetic spellings as far as possible. 1.00am: Altered course 148° True. 4.00am: S.B.C. 7.50am: Sighted One Fathom Bank Light [One Fathom Bank Old Light] bearing S50°E. 8.00am: One Fathom Bank Light [One Fathom Bank Old Light] bearing S56°E. Altered course 138° True. 10.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 12.03pm: B~~~ist J~~~gra 12.7’. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.02pm: Cape Ruchuldo [Cape Rachado] bearing N47E, 3 miles. Altered course 126° True. Leave to Port Watch 4.30 to 10.00pm. 6.15pm: Sighted Mulucca Point Light on Port Bow. 6.26pm: Sighted Pulau Undan on Port Bow. 7.03pm: Mulucca Point Light abeam: 7.2 miles. 7.54pm: Palau Undan abeam: 3.4’; Mulucca Point Light N16½W Magnetic. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 11.30pm: Sighted Pulau Pisang bearing S75E. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0014_1.jpg) 21 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 Follow this link for information on Tree Island/Raffles Lighthouse. This is a part of the world where colonial period names have been replaced by local names in recent years. Consequently, it may be difficult to place some of the location names from this log on a modern map. Tree Island is close to the southernmost latitude that H.M.S. Cicala achieved as once she reached Hong Kong it appears that she never left China again. 1.35am: Pulo Pisany [Pulau Pisang] bearing N83°E. 2.20am: Sighted Brothers Light on Starboard Bow. 2.29am: Po Pisang [Pulau. Pisang] abeam: to Port 8.5 miles. 2.50am: Brothers Light bearing SE; Po Pisang [Pulau. Pisang] N12E. 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.10am: Brothers Light abeam: to Starboard 2 miles. 4.26am: Altered course 100° True. 4.50am: Sighted Sultan Shoal Light N72E Magnetic ~~~: Po Pisang [Pulau. Pisang] N37E Magnetic: Brothers Light N89W. 4.59am: Sighted Tree Island Light [Pulau Satumu] ahead. 5.01am: Raffles Island Light [Pulau Satumu] sighted on Port Bow. 5.46am: H.M.S. Foxglove and H.M.S. Hollyhock hauled out of line and proceeded to Coaling Jetty. 5.52am: Altered course 110° True. 5.58am: Sultan Shoal Light abeam: to Port. 6.04am: Tree Island Bank [Pulau Satumu] abeam: to Starboard. 6.35am: Altered course 067°. Reduced to 6 knots. 7.20am: Hauled in patent log. 7.30am: Course and speed as requisite. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.15am: Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 9.20am: Hands employed painting and cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.30pm: Leave granted to Starboard Watch from 4.30 to 10.00pm. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0015_0.jpg) 22 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.30am: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia. Half ahead both. 8.37am: Stopped both. 8.38am: Came to with Starboard anchor in 9 fathoms. Veered to 2 shackles. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 11.50am: Weighed Starboard anchor and proceeded alongside R.F.A. Oiler Dredgol. Received 32 tons. 12noon S.B.C. 12.10pm: Secured alongside Dredgol. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave granted to Port Watch from 1.30 to 10.00pm. 2.00pm: Finished oiling. 2.25pm: Cast off from Dredgol, half ahead both. 2.31pm: Stopped both. 2.34pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 9 fathoms. Veered to 2 shackles. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.10pm: Water Boat secured alongside. 4.25pm: Water Boat cast off. Received 4 tons. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0015_1.jpg) 23 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 11.10am: Weighed Starboard anchor and proceeded alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. 11.20am: Secured alongside Magnolia. 1.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 1.30 to 10.00pm. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5d9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0016_0.jpg) 24 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1.30 to 10.00pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5da: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0016_1.jpg) 25 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 Secured alongside H.M.S. Magnolia. Note in margin records “Time kept 7 hrs ahead of GMT”. 12noon S.B.C. 12.25pm: Water Boat secured alongside. 1.30pm: Water Boat cast off. 2.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 4.0pm: to 10.00pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5db: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0017_0.jpg) 26 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship and pumping out after compartment. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5dc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0017_1.jpg) 27 May 1920 Singapore Lat 1.26, Long 103.85 Once clear of Singapore H.M.S. Cicala starts to head to the North again. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.25pm: Water Boat secured alongside. 2.20pm: Water Boat cast off. Hands make and mend clothes. 2.45pm: 1 Stoker Petty Officer joined ship from H.M.S. Colombo. 3.55pm: Cast off from H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.20pm: Course 084° True, speed 8 knots. 5.08pm: Stopped both, proceeded to get in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 5.16pm: In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 7.17pm: Sighted Pedra Branca [Batu Puteh] ahead. 7.50pm: Altered course 066° True. 8.55pm: Pedra Branca [Batu Puteh] abeam, 2.8 miles. 10.00pm: Altered course 017° True. 12midnight S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5dd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0018_0.jpg) 28 May 1920 Singapore to Cape St James [Vung Tau] Lat 3.5, Long 105.1 Continuing in the tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. At noon the Cicala is estimated to be 450 miles from Cape St James on a bearing of 014°True. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands clearing magazines and cleaning rifles and cutlasses. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5de: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0018_1.jpg) 29 May 1920 Singapore to Cape St James [Vung Tau] Lat 6.6, Long 106.1 In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. At noon the Cicala is estimated to be 232 miles from Cape St James on a bearing of 013°True. She appears to be making good progress on this leg of the journey. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.35pm: Altered course 005° True. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5df: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0019_0.jpg) 30 May 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] Lat 9.6, Long 107.0 The names on this page are difficult to transcribe. Most names are Vietnamese – the spellings are probably phonetic and may be inconsistent. As noted earlier, this log was written in the colonial period and place names were changed once Vietnam: achieved its independence. 1.51am: Haon Bin Kan [Hon Baï Canh] N15E Magnetic, 15 miles. 3.55am: Altered course 012°, Haon Bin Kan Light [Hon Baï Canh Light] bearing N35°W. 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.17am: Haon Bui Kan Light [Hon Baï Canh Light] abeam: to Port. 5.05am: Haon Bui Kan Light [Hon Baï Canh Light] bearing S43°W Magnetic: White Rock N77°W Compass. 6.40am: Haon Tsaen Loo[?] bearing S50°W Compass: Kam: Kaen[?] bearing S21°W Compass. 7.40am: Ham: Kuo[?] S19°W Compass: Ham: Kuo Point S36°W. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.30am: Hold Divine Service. 12.55pm: Sighted land on Starboard Bow. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 3.57pm: Stopped both. Proceeded to slip tow. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.01pm: Slipped tow. 4.02pm: Half ahead both, 160 revolutions, course and speed as requisite for taking station on H.M.S. Colombo. 5.17pm: Hauled in patent log. 5.43pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 8½ fathoms. Veered to 2 shackles. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0019_1.jpg) 31 May 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] (Up Donnai [Dong-nai] River) Lat 10.51, Long 106.75 The page heading does not appear to make sense. The Dong-nai [Donnai] River is a tributary of the Saigon River see the Encyclopaedia Britannia for more information. The geography of Cape St James [Vung Tau] suggests that the Cicala must have entered the Saigon River and that she actually ends up at Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] on the Saigon River. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: Hands employed repairing Swimming Bath and cleaning ship. 8.20am: Shortened in to 1½ shackles. 8.35am: Weighed Starboard anchor. 8.47am: Half ahead both. Course and speed as requisite for entering mouth of Donnai (Saigon) River. 9.47am: Entered Donnai (Saigon) River. 11.32am: Passed Beacon at South end of Coral Bank. 11.35am: Passed Beacon at North end of Coral Bank. 11.42am: Passed mouth of Ruch M~~~ River. 12noon S.B.C. 12.12pm: Passed N~u B~ Semaphore Station. 12.16pm: Passed wreck on Starboard ~~~. 12.32pm: Passed light on Petroleum Stores. 12.52pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 6 fathoms. Veered to 1½ shackles in Karbang Bay. 2.20pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river to Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City], course and speed as requisite. 3.12pm: Entered Saigon Roads ~~~. 3.42pm: Let go Port anchor. Stopped both. Worked alongside H.M.S. Mantis. 3.53pm: Secured alongside Mantis. Veered Port anchor to 3 shackles. Stern secured to buoy. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0020_1.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0021_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37799/ADM-37799-0021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR JUNE 1920 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of June 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log for the period to 4pm: on the 11th June 1920 by F.T. Boswell, Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy. Certified as a complete copy of the original log for the period from 4pm: on the 11th June 1920 by J Eastley, Navigating Officer. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by Lieutenant Commander R.G.M. Hunt and dated 1st July 1920. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0002_0.jpg) 4caf855acadfd3419700e5e9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0003_0.jpg) Barometer: Aneroid. Maker: T. Wheeler. No. [not recorded]. Height of cistern above sea: 20 ft. Barometer not in working order, so no readings have been taken. Thermometers for air temperatures: on Bridge in metal case. Maker: A. Galashar, London. No. not known Thermometer for Sea Temperature: Nil. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ea: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0003_1.jpg) 1 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 8.30am: Hands employed washing down Upper Deck and cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 12.20pm: Water Boat secured alongside. Received 5 tons Drinking Water. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 3.30pm: Water Boat cast off. 4.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 4.30 to 11.00pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5eb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0004_0.jpg) 2 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship's side, cleaning scuttles & mending swimming bath. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 4.30 to 11.00pm. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ec: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0004_1.jpg) 3 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship, painting ship’s side and repairing canvas swimming bath. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 2.00pm: to 11.00pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers to 7.00am. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ed: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0005_0.jpg) 4 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch from 4.30pm: to 11.00pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers to 7.00am. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ee: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0005_1.jpg) 5 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 8.30am: Hands employed washing down Upper Deck, scrubbing cocoanut matting and cleaning ship. 12noon S.B.C. 12.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.00pm: One Stoker Petty Officer discharged to H.M.S. Colombo. 1.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 1.30pm: to 11.00pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers till 7.00am. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ef: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0006_0.jpg) 6 June 1920 Saigon [Ho Chi Minh City] Lat 10.74, Long 106.76 7.15am: Roman Catholic Church Party landed. 7.45am: Water Boat secured alongside. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00am: Water Boat cast off. 10.00am: Roman Catholic Church Party returned on board. 10.30am: Divisions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.15pm: One Petty Officer and 3 Able Bodied Seamen discharged to H.M.S. Colombo. 3.50 Shortened in to 1½ shackles. 3.55pm: Let go stern wires and head wire from H.M.S. Mantis. Weighed Port anchor. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 5.00pm: Course and speed as requisite. 5.20pm: Secured alongside R.F.A. Oiler Dredgol. 8.10pm: Finished oiling. Received 44 tons. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0006_1.jpg) 7 June 1920 Coconut Bay to Cape St James [Vung Tau] then Hong Kong Lat 10.4, Long 107 This page is very difficult to read – expect to find errors in the transcriptions of the names of landmarks! For the most part these are best guesses at phonetic spellings of place names from the French Colonial period in Vietnam. A note on the left of the page for the early afternoon gives the Cicala’s location as “At single anchor in Cocoanut [sic] Bay, Cape St James”. It is this entry that has been used to estimate her midday position for this transcription. 6.30am: Cast off from Dredgol. Half ahead both, course and speed as requisite for proceeding down Saigon River to Cape St James [Vung Tau]. 6.42am: Passed Nha Be [Nhà Bè] Semaphore Station. 7.24 Passed mouth of Rach M~~~ E~~~. 7.30am: Passed Beacon at North end of Coral Bank. 7.35am: Passed Beacon at South end of Coral Bank. 7.59am: Passed mouth of River On~ngia. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.16am: passed mouth of Song Soi G~~~g. 9.01am: Passed mouth of T~~~g Liang. 9.23am: Passed Light Beacon at mouth of Saigon River. 10.20am: Stopped both. 10.22am: Came to with Port anchor in 8½ fathoms. Veered to 3 shackles. 11.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 2.40pm: Weighed Port anchor. 2.43pm: Course 173°, speed 6 knots. 2.59pm: Course 132° True. 3.20pm: Course 086° True. 3.55pm: Proceeded to get in tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 3.42pm: In tow of H.M.S. Magnolia. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 4.10pm: Streamed patent log. 9.35pm: Altered course 088° True. 12midnight Clocks advanced 12 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0007_0.jpg) 8 June 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Hong Kong Lat 11.2, Long 109.3 4.00am: S.B.C. 4.20am: Land sighted on Port Bow (Pulo Cecis de Mar [Poulo Cecil de Mer]) 5.30am: Pulo Cecis de Mar [Poulo Cecil de Mer] |< N32W magnetic; Pulo Cecis de Mar [Poulo Cecil de Mer] 6|< N22W magnetic; Pulo Cecis de Mar [Poulo Cecil de Mer] >| N2E magnetic. 5.35am: Altered course 015° True. 6.10am: Peak on Pulo Cecis de Mar [Poulo Cecil de Mer] abeam: to Port. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.10am: Increased to 120 revolutions. 10.00am: Hands employed mending canvas bath and as requisite. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight Clocks put on 12 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0007_1.jpg) 9 June 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Hong Kong Lat 14.1, Long 110.1 The Cap Varella Light is a modern landmark that will help anyone attempting to follow this voyage on a map to place the Cicala. A note in the margin tells us that the Cicala’s clocks are 7 hours and 24 minutes ahead of G.M.T. at noon on this day. 1.23am: Cap Varella Light abeam: to Port. Distance [blank] miles. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 9.55am: Increased to 130 revolutions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 1.15pm: Increased to 140 revolutions. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight Clocks advanced 12 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0008_0.jpg) 10 June 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Hong Kong Lat 17.5, Long 111.2 The 8am: and 8pm: positions have been incorrectly entered on this page. Instead of being read left to right you have to read the numbers top to bottom. The midday position is correctly entered and when the three positions are read as a sequence they make sense. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 8.20am: Altered course 080° True. 9.30am: Hands employed getting matting up from store and laying it out to dry. 10.00am: Reduced to 130 revolutions. 12noon S.B.C. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: S.B.C. 8.00pm: S.B.C. 12midnight S.B.C. Clocks advanced 12 minutes at midnight. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0008_1.jpg) 11 June 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Hong Kong Lat 20.5, Long 112.1 The midday time report in the margin reports that the Cicala’s clocks are 7 hours and 48 minutes ahead of G.M.T. 4.00am: S.B.C. 8.00am: S.B.C. 9.00am: Hands employed furling after awning and as required. 12noon S.B.C. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4.00pm: S.B.C. 6.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 8.00pm: W.T. & S.B.C. 9.45pm: Sighted Gap Rock [Wenwei Zhou Light] on Port Bow. 9.50pm: Altered course 005° True. 12midnight (Clocks advanced 12 minutes). 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0009_0.jpg) 12 June 1920 Cape St James [Vung Tau] to Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 1.20am: Increased to 140 revolutions. 1.42am: Gap Rock Light [Wenwei Zhou Light] abeam: to Starboard 0.6 miles. Altered course 02~°. 3.27am: Altered course 052° (True). 4.00am: W.T. & S.B.C. 4.30am: Altered course 065°. 5.15am: Cast off tow speed 8 knots. 6.15am: Altered course 330°. 6.25am: Waglan Light [Waglan Island Light] abeam. 6.58am: Came to with Starboard anchor and veered to 3 shackles. 7.50am: Weighed anchor proceeded at 180 revolutions, course 030° to [blank] 9.30am: Secured to No. 12 buoy. 9.40am: Water Boat secured alongside. 10.00am: Completed with fresh water – Water Boat cast off. 10.45am: H.M.S. Colombo and remainder of flotilla arrived in harbour. 1.00pm: Special leave to Port Watch until 8am: Monday. 3.30pm: 5 Able Bodied Seamen joined ship from H.M.S. Colombo. Sub Lieutenant Boswell discharged to H.M.S. Colombo.
THE VOYAGES OF HMS CICALA
4caf855acadfd3419700e5f6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0009_1.jpg) 13 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and spreading awning. 1.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0010_0.jpg) 14 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 H.M.S. Tamar was the base ship moored in Victoria Harbour at this time. You can expect to see frequent references to her in the log. She acted as the receiving ship for personnel moving between ships assigned to the China Station and transferring from, and returning to, the UK. The discovery of smouldering coal in the bunker may seem minor but it is potentially a very dangerous event. This is reason for the Cicala receiving the assistance of a second work party from the Tamar and for a coaler being brought alongside. To tackle a fire of this type the smouldering fuel must be exposed and all the fuel that surrounds the site of the fire has to be cooled to prevent it from starting to burn as well. Those tackling this type of fire must be very careful to ensure that the area they work in is well ventilated. There is a substantial risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning with any confined fire. In a fuel bunker that is damped down with water there is also the possibility of creating a poisonous, flammable mixture of Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide known as Water Gas. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and chipping ship’s side. 9.00am: Working party from H.M.S. Tamar arrived on board. 9.15am: Water Boat secured alongside. 9.20am: Dockyard tug 28 secured alongside. 9.30am: Unshackled from buoy. 9.35am: Secured to No.3 buoy. 9.45am: Tug shoved off. 9.50am: Completed with 2 tons of fresh water water Boat shoved off. 10.15am: Sub Lieutenant Eastley rejoined from H.M.S. Tamar. 1.00pm: Special leave to the watch until 8am: Wednesday. 1.00pm: Coal in Starboard Bunker smouldering. 1.25am: Working party from H.M.S. Tamar arrives. 2.10pm: Coaling lighter secured alongside. Hands employed moving coal. 4.15pm: Working Party left ship to bathe. 4.20pm: Coals ~~~ on board. 4.30pm: Hands paid monthly advance. 5.30pm: Hands to bathe. 6.30pm: Hands out of water. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 11.15pm: Finished securing. Coal tug and coal barges from Dockyard shoved off. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0010_1.jpg) 15 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.15am: Working Party from H.M.S. Tamar arrived on board. Hands employed cleaning paint work and chipping ships side. 11.39am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.30pm: Hands employed cleaning ship. 2.15pm: Working party from Tamar arrived on board. One Sick Berth Steward joined ship from H.M.S. Tamar. 3.30pm: Tamar’s working party left ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5f9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0011_0.jpg) 16 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping ship’s side. 9.10am: Working party from H.M.S. Tamar arrived on board. 11.30am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 1pm: until 8am: Friday, 18th June. 1.05pm: Water Boat Cherub secured alongside. Received 2 tons. 1.25pm: Water Boat shoved off. Hands employed chipping ship’s side. 2.15pm: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 3.45pm: Tamar’s working party left ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5fa: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0011_1.jpg) 17 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and chipping ship’s side. 9.20am: Working party from H.M.S. Tamar arrived on board. 11.30am: Working party from H.M.S. Tamar left ship. 2.00pm: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 3.30pm: Working party left ship. 6.30pm: 1 stoker rating discharged to H.M.S. Mantis. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5fb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0012_0.jpg) 18 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed chipping ship’s side and pumping out after compartment. 9.15am: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 11.35am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.45pm: Water boat alongside. 1.55pm: Water boat shoved off ‑ completed with fresh water, received 2 tons. 2.10pm: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 3.30pm: One stoker discharged to H.M.S. Tamar ‑ Tamar’s working party left ship. 4.00pm: Leave to Watch until 6.30am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5fc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0012_1.jpg) 19 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed chipping ship’s side. 9.00am: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 11.30am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 to 7.000am. 1.10pm: One Wireless Rating discharged to H.M.S. Bluebell and one Able Bodied Seaman to H.M.S. Cockchafer. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5fd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0013_0.jpg) 20 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.02am: Church of England church party left ship. 10.15am: Divisions. 11.15am: Church party returned. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 to 6.30am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5fe: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0013_1.jpg) 21 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The reference to the ‘Camber’ is not a typo. The name will be encountered several times in these logs. It is the name of a pArcticular dock at Hong Kong. There is a 1907 photograph described as being “a view over the British Military Hospital and Naval Yards” on the web page at http://gwulo.com/node/8488. It is the editor’s reading of the text on this page that the Camber is the square shaped dock covered by the letter ‘O’ in the watermark on this image. The white ship with awnings over its decks a little distance beyond the mouth of the Camber is very likely H.M.S. Tamar. The docks to the left of the Camber in the photograph are identified as the British Naval Docks. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and unshackling cable from buoy. 9.15am: Tamar’s working party arrived on board. 11.00am: Tug Cherub secured alongside. 11.15am: Slipped from No.8 buoy and placed alongside inside of North wall of Camber. 11.45am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.00pm: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to hospital. 1.30pm: Tamar’s working party arrived. 3.30pm: Tamar’s working party left. 4.30pm: leave to watch from 4.30 to 6.30am. 6.30pm: Exercised fire stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e5ff: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0014_0.jpg) 22 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and getting up matting for survey. 9.10am: Tamar’s working party arrived. 11.30am: Tamar’s working party left. 4.30pm: Leave to watch until 6.30am. 5.30pm: Exercised fire stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855acadfd3419700e600: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0014_1.jpg) Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 It looks as if the Cicala is being lightened in preparation for going into dry dock. This will explain the strange seeming entry at 4.30pm: which appears to be saying that all the Cicala’s food has been transferred to the Tamar so that is where the crew are having to eat. The 1.40pm: entry is a bit of a mystery. The most likely meaning is ‘Code Book’. This makes good sense in the context of both the specific entry and the other events. Code books are sensitive documents. It is usual for them to be kept in a locked safe when they are not in use. Their issue is controlled through the use of signing registers that show who has been issued with what document, when they took control of that document and when the document was returned to the controlling authority. China Station had many ships attached to it so would need a Code Book Office to be responsible for the issue / recall of code books, their safe storage when not in use and ultimate safe disposal when they are retired from use. Jumping ahead, the log entry for 10 November 1920 confirms that the Cicala is using codes. This log entry records Sub Lieutenant Eastley being reprimanded for “gross carelessness” when decoding a Wireless Telegraphy message. The reference to “code books” suggests something about the Cicala’s mission. A full code book is structured like a foreign language dictionary in that it has at least two volumes, one each for coding messages and decoding messages. Each volume is built around an alphabetically ordered list of words that can be supplemented with additional code words for local place names and actions. The presence of multiple code books on the Cicala implies that she is doing more than receiving simple orders such as ‘go to X’. Consequently, her real mission could have have been intelligence gathering rather than the gun boat politics that her logs suggest she was engaged in. 9.00am: Hands employed discharging stores, cleaning out store rooms and stowing stores in lighters. 9.10am: Tamar’s working party arrived. 11.30am: Tamar’s working party left ship. 1.30pm: Hands employed discharging stores. 1.40pm: Code Books returned to Code Book Office. 2.15pm: Tamar’s working party arrived. 3.30pm: Tamar’s working party left ship. 4.30pm: Ship’s company victualed in H.M.S. Tamar from PM. Stores taken over to Tamar. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e601: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0015_0.jpg) 24 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 There are no start and end of watch times recorded in the log at this time. This suggests that she is only fully manned during the working day and that her officers and crew are being accommodated elsewhere – almost certainly on board the depot ship H.M.S. Tamar in view of the entries recorded below. 9.00am: Hands returned on board and employed clearing ship of stores. 11.45am: Hands returned to H.M.S. Tamar. 2.00pm: Hands employed returning ammunition to ordnance depot and disembarking medical stores. 4.00pm: Hands returned to Tamar. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e602: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0015_1.jpg) 25 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.10am: Hands arrived on board. 9.30am: Hands employed disembarking and returning stores. 11.45am: Hands returned to H.M.S. Tamar. 2.30pm: Hands employed returning stores. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e603: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0016_0.jpg) 26 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed returning stores. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e604: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0016_1.jpg) 27 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 This is a blank page other than the weather readings taken at the time of watch changes. It was a Sunday so this is not too surprising! The page is initialled by the Captain, Lieutenant Commander Hunt, alongside the noon ship’s status panel. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e605: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0017_0.jpg) 28 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed returning stores. 1.30pm: Hands employed returning stores and chipping ship’s side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e606: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0017_1.jpg) 29 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed getting up and returning awnings for survey. 1.30pm: Hands employed returning rafts and life buoys to dockyard for survey. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e607: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0018_0.jpg) 30 June 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping ship’s side and returning stores. 1.30pm: Hands employed furling awnings. 2.30pm: Discharged 1 Officer’s Steward 1st Class, 1 Officer’s Steward 3rd class, 2 Engine Room ratings, 2 Able Bodied Seamen and 1 Petty Officer Cook to H.M.S. Tamar. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e608: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0018_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e609: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0019_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0019_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37800/ADM53-37800-0020_1.jpg) LOGS FOR JULY 1920 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of July 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley, Sub Lieutenant, Navigating Officer. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e60f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0002_0.jpg) Blank page. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e610: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by Lieutenant Commander R. G. M. Hunt and dated 1st August 1920. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e611: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0003_0.jpg) Barometer: Details struck through and note inserted saying “returned for survey”. Thermometers for air temperatures: on Bridge in metal case. Maker: A. Galashar, London. No: not known. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e612: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0003_1.jpg) 1 July 1920 Hong Kong (inside Camber) Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Ship’s company victualed in H.M.S. Tamar from June. 10.30am: Hands employed scraping ship’s side. 1.30pm: Hands employed chipping ship’s side. 3.15pm: Ship’s company paid monthly advance. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e613: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0004_0.jpg) 2 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping ship's side and red leading. 2.00pm: Hands employed chipping. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e614: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0004_1.jpg) 3 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 10.00am: Hands employed chipping and red leading ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e615: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0005_0.jpg) 4 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 This is a blank page other than the weather readings. It was a Sunday so this is not surprising. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e616: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0005_1.jpg) 5 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping and red leading ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e617: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0006_0.jpg) 6 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e618: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0006_1.jpg) 7 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping and red leading ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e619: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0007_0.jpg) 8 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0007_1.jpg) 9 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping ship's side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0008_0.jpg) 10 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping ship's side and funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0008_1.jpg) 11 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 This page is a blank other than for weather readings. It was a Sunday again. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0009_0.jpg) 12 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed returning stores and chipping funnel. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0009_1.jpg) 13 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels and red-leading ship’s side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e61f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0010_0.jpg) 14 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e620: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0010_1.jpg) 15 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels and red-leading ship’s side. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e621: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0011_0.jpg) 16 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e622: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0011_1.jpg) 17 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e623: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0012_0.jpg) 18 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Sunday again so nothing gets done. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e624: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0012_1.jpg) 19 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Another page that is blank other than for weather information. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e625: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0013_0.jpg) 20 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Another page that is blank other than for weather information. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e626: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0013_1.jpg) 21 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e627: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0014_0.jpg) 22 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e628: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0014_1.jpg) 23 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.30am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e629: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0015_0.jpg) 24 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0015_1.jpg) 25 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Sunday routine. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0016_0.jpg) 26 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The Cicala is moved into a dry dockt. 9.30am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 1.00pm: Tug secured alongside. 1.15pm: Slipped from wall and taken into dry dock astern of submarine L2. 3.00pm: Hands employed spurring ship in dock and chipping funnels. 8.15pm: Dock dry. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0016_1.jpg) 27 July 1920 Hong Kong in dry dock Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels and placing anchor cables in bottom of dock. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0017_0.jpg) 28 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0017_1.jpg) 29 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e62f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0018_0.jpg) 30 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Interesting technique for testing that the hull is watertight. The Cicala is in dry dock so fill her compartments with water and see which ones leak! 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels. 10.00am: All compartments flooded and tested by Dockyard. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e630: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0018_1.jpg) 31 July 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping funnels and Wireless Telegraphy Office. 1.15pm: Ship’s company payed [sic] monthly advance. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e631: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0019_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e632: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0019_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e633: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e634: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37801/ADM53-37801-0020_1.jpg) LOGS FOR AUGUST 1920 4caf855bcadfd3419700e635: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0002_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e636: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0002_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of August 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley, Navigating Officer. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e637: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0003_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e638: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0003_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by R. G. M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander in Command and dated 1st September 1920. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e639: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0004_0.jpg) Barometer - Not working Thermometers for air temperature: On after superstructure in metal case; Maker: A. Galahar, London; No. not known 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0004_1.jpg) 1 August 1920 Hong Kong in dry dock Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Note
on page reads “Ship's
company 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0005_0.jpg) 2 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed red leading funnels and scraping Funnel Casings and Conning Tower. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0005_1.jpg) 3 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Today the Dockyard workers get down to fixing the Cicala’s leaks. 9.00am: Hands employed scraping Chart House, Wireless Telegraphy Office and Conning Tower. 10.30am: Rivets renewed where necessary in Forepeak and compartment tested for water tightness and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0006_0.jpg) 4 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Further rivets replaced to ensure more compartments are water tight. It looks like the issue was spread over a wide area. 9.00am: Hands employed red leading Conning Tower and scraping Wireless Telegraphy Office and Charthouse. Rivets renewed where necessary in compartments 4-8, 8-13 and compartments tested for water tightness and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0006_1.jpg) 5 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Still more rivets get replaced. See note on log entry for 16 June 1919 for a description of what the nautical term ‘flat’ refers to. 8.30am: Hands employed scraping and red leading Wireless Telegraphy Office and Chart House and boats Davits. Rivets renewed where necessary in Capstan Flat and tested for water tightness and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e63f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0007_0.jpg) 6 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed scraping Bollards, Davits and Gun Mountings. 10.30am: Rivets renewed where necessary in Stern Compartment and compartment tested for water tightness and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e640: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0007_1.jpg) 7 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed chipping & red leading Charthouse and Wireless Telegraphy House. 10.00am: Rivets renewed where necessary in compartments 18 – 24 and 24 – 31and compartments tested for water tightness and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e641: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0008_0.jpg) 8 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Sunday routine. Only weather readings recorded in log. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e642: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0008_1.jpg) 9 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The crew are down to painting the stanchions – sounds like they are running short of things to do! 9.00am: Hands employed scraping and red leading stanchions. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e643: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0009_0.jpg) 10 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 And the crew activity today sounds even more desperate! 9.00am: Hands employed chipping and red leading C~~~, Latches and Wireless Telegraphy House. 10.30am: Rivets renewed where necessary and compartments tested for water tightness in compartments 31 -17 and 37 – 41 and found satisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e644: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0009_1.jpg) 11 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 There really cannot be very much left to ‘scrape and red lead’ by this day. 9.00am: Hands employed scraping and red leading Upper Deck fittings. 10.30am: Rivets renewed where necessary in compartments 94-99 and in Capstan Flat – compartments tested for water tightness and found correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e645: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0010_0.jpg) 12 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Rivets renewed where necessary in Coal Bunkers and water tight compartments 41 - 45 and 46 forward, and 104 - 110 aft. Tested and found correct. Also Boiler Rooms and Engineer’s Store tested and found correct. 11.30am: Hands employed scraping Upper Deck fittings. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e646: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0010_1.jpg) 13 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Rivets renewed in compartments 89 - 94 – tested and found correct. 10.00am: Hands employed in scraping bilges in Cable Lockers. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e647: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0011_0.jpg) 14 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Rivets renewed where necessary in compartments 73 – 89 ‑ tested and found correct. 10.30am: Hands employed scraping bilges in Bosun’s Store and clearing up Upper Deck. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e648: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0011_1.jpg) 15 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 It is Sunday so no repairs or crew activity recorded today. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e649: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0012_0.jpg) 16 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed ~~~ting up cables and sequring [sic] anchors and cleaning ship. 2.30pm: Commenced flooding Dock. 3.45pm: Dock flooded and ship undocked. 4.15pm: Placed alongside North Wall outside Camber. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0012_1.jpg) 17 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out bilges in Capstan Flat. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0013_0.jpg) 18 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 10.00am: Hands employed clearing out bilges in Cabin Flat. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0013_1.jpg) 19 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 H.M.S. Wivern was approaching the end of her life in 1920 – she had been reduced to acting as a harbour support vessel at Hong Kong. Her outline history and several photographs are available at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-fornv/uk/uksh-w/wivern.htm 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out the bilges in Ward Room Flat. 1.00pm: Ship's company accommodated in H.M.S. Wivern. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0014_0.jpg) 20 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning out bilges in Ward Room Flat. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0014_1.jpg) 21 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 What is happening here? It seems strange that 8 Ratings should suddenly all need medical attention away from the ship on the same day. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out bilges in Fore Magazines. 9.50am: One Leading Seaman joined ship. 1.00pm: 8 Ratings sent to Sanatorium. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e64f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0015_0.jpg) 22 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Another Sunday with just weather records in the log. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e650: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0015_1.jpg) 23 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning and painting bilges in Magazines aft. 1.00pm: .H.M.S. Carlisle moved from buoy to inside North Wall of Camber. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e651: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0016_0.jpg) 24 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning and painting bilges in After Compartments. 10.30am: Carried out basin trial - Port engine unsatisfactory. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e652: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0016_1.jpg) 25 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The Cicala’s crew move back to the Depot Ship, H.M.S. Tamar. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning and painting bilges in the After Compartments. 1.00pm: Ship’s company accommodated in H.M.S. Tamar. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e653: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0017_0.jpg) 26 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out and painting bilges in compartments aft. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e654: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0017_1.jpg) 27 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning and painting bilges aft. 10.30am: Carried out basin trials – satisfactory two hours trial. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e655: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0018_0.jpg) 28 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out bilges in Carpenter’s Store. 1.00pm: 1 Able Bodied Seaman returned from hospital. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e656: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0018_1.jpg) 29 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Another Sunday with just weather records in the log. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e657: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0019_0.jpg) 30 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed scraping fore casing of superstructure. 12noon Note: Lost from ship – cover of hatch to Bosun’s Store. 1.00pm: H.M.S. Tarantula slipped from Dockyard Wall and proceeded out of harbour. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e658: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0019_1.jpg) 31 August 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 6.30am: H.M.S. Foxglove slipped from Dockyard Wall and proceeded out of harbour. 9.00am: Hands employed scraping casing and painting out Bosun’s Store. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e659: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0020_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0021_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37802/ADM53-37802-0021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR SEPTEMBER 1920 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of September 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley, Navigating Officer. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e65f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0002_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e660: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by R. G. M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander and dated 1st October 1920. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e661: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0003_0.jpg) Barometer in Dockyard hands for repairing. Thermometers for air temperature: On fore superstructure in metal case. Maker: A. Galahar, London. No. Not known 4caf855bcadfd3419700e662: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0003_1.jpg) 1 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Note: The 6 Ratings at the Sanatorium are not shown as being sick. Consequently, it is unclear what these sessions are for. 9.00am: Hands employed scraping and red leading bilges in Stern Compartments. 1.00pm: Ratings sent to Sanatorium returned and 6 Ratings sent to Sanatorium. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e663: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0004_0.jpg) 2 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.30am: Hands employed scraping and red leading in Stern Compartment. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e664: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0004_1.jpg) 3 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed stowing cable and scraping fore superstructure. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e665: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0005_0.jpg) 4 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed returning stores from Kowloon to ship and scraping fore superstructure. 1.10pm: Tug Cherub secured alongside. 1.35pm: Slipped from jetty and placed alongside H.M.S. Tamar. 2.00pm: Secured alongside [H.M.S. Tamar]. 3.30pm: Chief shipwright discharged to Hospital. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e666: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0005_1.jpg) 5 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Sunday and no activity recorded in log. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e667: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0006_0.jpg) 6 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.15am: Tug Cherub secured alongside. 8.25am: Slipped from H.M.S. Tamar and placed alongside North wall of Camber outside. 8.35am: Secured alongside wall. Hands employed spreading awnings and scraping fore superstructure. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e668: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0006_1.jpg) 7 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning Fore Magazine and Shell Room. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e669: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0007_0.jpg) 8 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed painting out Galley and cleaning out Fore Magazine and Shell Room. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0007_1.jpg) 9 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed dismantling hatchways, removing spare piping from Carpenter’s Store and re-spreading fore awning. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0008_0.jpg) 10 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 10.00am: Hands employed scraping cowls and painting out Galley space. 12.30pm: One rating joined ship from hospital. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0008_1.jpg) 11 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed painting out Galley space and drawing stores. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0009_0.jpg) 12 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 Sunday ‑ no activity recorded in log. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0009_1.jpg) 13 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed drawing stores and painting below water-line. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e66f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0010_0.jpg) 14 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed drawing stores and cleaning out Shell Room aft. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e670: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0010_1.jpg) 15 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning out Shell Rooms and drawing stores. 10.30am: One Engine Room Artificer discharged to Hospital. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e671: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0011_0.jpg) 16 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed drawing stores and cleaning out Magazines. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e672: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0011_1.jpg) 17 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The crew move back aboard the Cicala after several weeks living mostly aboard the Tamar. 9.00am: Hands employed striking down stores and clearing up ship. 10.30am: One Able Bodied Seaman discharged to Hospital. 1.00pm: Ships Company returned to ship PM. 2.00pm: Hands employed transferring effects from H.M.S. Tamar. 5.00pm: Leave to watch in accordance with port orders. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e673: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0012_0.jpg) 18 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed in striking down stores. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 till 7.00am. 2.00pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e674: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0012_1.jpg) 19 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 8.15am: Church Party landed for Division Services. 10.00am: Church Party returned on board. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 until 7.00am. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e675: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0013_0.jpg) 20 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.00am: Range Party left ship. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 12.30pm: Usual leave to watch. 1.00pm: Hands employed painting ship. 2.15pm: Range Party returned. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e676: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0013_1.jpg) 21 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.00am: Range Party left ship. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 12.30pm: Usual leave to watch. 2.00pm:
Tug
Cherub se 2.25pm: Slipped from North wall. 2.40pm: Made fast alongside South Wall of Camber. 2.50pm: Range Party returned. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e677: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0014_0.jpg) 22 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed drawing stores and painting ship. 12.30pm: Usual leave to watch. 1.00pm: Hands employed spreading awnings. 1.30pm:
Tug
Cherub and steam:
launches No.68 and No.C410 se 1.40pm: Slipped from Camber. 2.00pm:
Se 2.05pm: Tugs stopped. Received 52 tons of oil. 4.20pm: Tugs secured alongside. 4.25pm: Slipped from Kharki. 4.55pm: Sequred [sic] alongside East wall of Camber. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e678: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0014_1.jpg) 23 September 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship and ordering[?] stores. 11.00am:
Ammunition
lighter se 11.05am: Hands ammunition ship. 12.30pm: Usual leave to watch. 1.30pm: Hands make and mend clothes. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e679: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0015_0.jpg) 24 September 1920 Hong Kong and at Sea Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 5.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and hoisting boats. 7.00am: Breakfast. 9.15am: Slipped from wall and proceeded out of harbour for gun trials. 10.30am: Carried out gun trials for 3 inch pom poms Maxims and Lewis guns – satisfactory. 12.45pm: Came to with Port anchor 1½ shackles in 5 fathoms in Repulse Bay. 1.45pm: Weighed anchor and carried out steam: trial – satisfactory. Log streamed for trial only. 4.15pm: Secured alongside oiler Kharki , received 9 tons of oil fuel. 5.00pm: Slipped from oiler and made fast to No.12 buoy. 6.00pm: Leave to watch till 7am. 9.00 Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0015_1.jpg) 25 September 1920 Hong Kong to Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 22.7, Long 113.7 After her long sea voyage from Plymouth to Hong Kong and her ensuing repairs, the Cicala returns to the work she was designed for – working on a river. 7.25am: Water boat secured alongside. Took in [2] tons of fresh water. 8.15am: Pilot arrived on board. 8.20am: Water boat shoved off. 9.00am: Slipped from buoy and proceeded out of harbour. 7.10pm: Made fast to buoys, head and stern, at Canton off Shameen [Shamian Island]. 9.00pm: Rounds correct and sentries posted. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0016_0.jpg) 26 September 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 9.00am: Hands employed spreading double awnings. 11.00am: Japanese Officer of Guard arrived on boat. 11.15am: [Japanese officer] left ship. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 till 10pm, Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers till 11pm. 6.30pm: Armed sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0016_1.jpg) 27 September 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 The Cicala appears to have arrived at Canton [Guangzhou] during a troubled period… 5.45am: Sentries relieved. 6.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 7.00am: Breakfast. 9.00am: Hands employed putting down matting, cleaning rifles and cleaning guns. 1.30pm: Hands employed getting up ammunition. 3.00pm: Lewis guns crew landed with guns and escort for defence of Shameen [Shamian Island] by orders of Senior Navy Officer. 7.00pm: Lewis guns crew, guns and escort returned to ship. Armed sentries posted on shore. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Armed sentries returned to ship situation quiet. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0017_0.jpg) 28 September 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning up decks and painting cowls. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 4.00 until10pm, Chiefs and Petty Officers till 11pm, part of watch from 4.00 until 8pm. 7.00pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0017_1.jpg) 29 September 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries returned and hands employed cleaning decks. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 7.00pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e67f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0018_0.jpg) 30 September 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 5.45am: Sentries relieved. 6.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.15am: Quarters Clean Guns. 8.45am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch. 6.45pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855bcadfd3419700e680: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0018_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e681: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0019_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e682: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0019_1.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e683: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0021_0.jpg) 4caf855bcadfd3419700e684: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37803/ADM53-37803-0021_1.jpg) LOGS FOR OCTOBER 1920 4caf855bcadfd3419700e685: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e686: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of October 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley, Navigating Officer. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e687: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0002_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e688: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by R. G. M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander and dated 1st November 1920. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e689: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0003_0.jpg) Barometer - Aneroid. Maker Partonelli & Rapkin Ltd No. 6545. Thermometers for air temperatures: on fore superstructure. Not in screen. Maker A. Harper & Sons Ltd No. not known. From October 1st. Thermometer for Sea Temperature: A. Harper & Sons Ltd - No. not known. From October 1st. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0003_1.jpg) 1 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 12.30pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 1.15pm: Hands paid quarterly settlement. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0004_0.jpg) 2 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting Battery Deck, scrubbing matting and awnings. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0004_1.jpg) 3 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed clearing up decks. 9.45am: Church of England Party landed. 10.00am: Divisions. 11.50am: Church Party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0005_0.jpg) 4 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting and scraping guns and painting on Battery Deck. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 4.30 till 10pm. Part of watch till 8,00pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers till 11pm. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0005_1.jpg) 5 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting out After Magazine, bathroom and scrubbing matting. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e68f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0006_0.jpg) 6 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting funnels and After Magazine. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e690: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0006_1.jpg) 7 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting 3 inch gun and Aft Magazine. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e691: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0007_0.jpg) 8 October 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] to Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 22.85, Long 113.57 Note in left margin states “Course and speed as requisite for arriving at Samshui by Hill Passage”. The log gives no further description of the route but one description in an OCR text taken from ‘The China Sea Directory” suggests it involves going back down river then turning East to enter the Saiwan Channel via Hills Passage. 5.15am: Sentries relieved. Slip ropes from fore and aft ‑ unshackled forward. 6.30am: Slipped from buoys and proceeded out of harbour. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and at quarters clean guns. 5.40pm: Came to with Port anchor in 12 feet ‑ veered to 2 shackles. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e692: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0007_1.jpg) 9 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 9.00am: Hands employed clearing Battery Deck for action and cleaning ship. 1.00pm: Leave to the watch from 4 to 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e693: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0008_0.jpg) 10 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] to Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.14, Long 111.80 5.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 9.00am: Hands employed securing ship for sea and as requisite. 12.20pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded out of harbour. 2.45pm: Hands to Action Stations. 3.30pm: Secured. 6.45pm: Came to with Port anchor in 7 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles at Shui Hing. 8.00pm: Port Watch closed up at night defence stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 12midnight Starboard Watch closed w~~. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e694: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0008_1.jpg) 11 October 1920 Shui Hing to Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.24, Long 111.53 4.00am: Port Watch closed up at night defence stations. 5.45am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 7.45am: Secured from action stations. 9.00am: Hands employed spreading bridge awning and cleaning ship. 4.45pm: All ammunition stored in Magazines. 5.30pm: Came to with Port anchor in 6 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles at Wuchau [Wuzhou]. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e695: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0009_0.jpg) 12 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 8.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship and guns. 9.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to A.P.C. oiling station. 10.00am: Ship secured in oiling position with bow and stern anchors. 1.00pm: Leave to the Watch from 4 till 6.30. 1.05pm: Let go shore wires and weighed both anchors and proceeded to gunboat anchorage. 1.32pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 6 fathoms ‑ veered to two shackles. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e696: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0009_1.jpg) 13 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] to Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.09, Long 112.11 5.30am: Sentries relieved. 5.45am: Hands employed securing ship for sea. 6.15am: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship and guns and clearing away Battery Deck for action. 1.15pm: Hands to action stations. 2.30pm: Secured from action stations. 3.25pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 12 feet veered to two shackles. 4.00pm: Leave to Watch from 4 till 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e697: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0010_0.jpg) 14 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 8.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.00pm: Leave to the Watch from 4 till 6.30pm. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 6.35pm: H.M.S. Moth arrived. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e698: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0010_1.jpg) 15 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] to Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.24, Long 111.53 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 8.30am: Hands employed securing ship for sea. 9.35am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river in company with H.M.S. Moth and river steamer. 1.00pm: H.M.S. Moth parted company. 7.35pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 7 fathoms ‑ veered to 2 shackles at Tak Hing[?] with river steamer. 7.45pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e699: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0011_0.jpg) 16 October 1920 Tak Hing to Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river in company with steamer. Sentries relieved. 8.30am: Hands employed at gun quarters and cleaning ship and spreading Battery Deck awnings. 11.40am: Came to with Starboard anchor in 7 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles at Wuchau [Wuzhou]. 2.15pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to A.P.C. oiling station. 2.30pm: Secured alongside with bow and stern anchors and wires to shore. 6.10pm: Slipped from oiling station, weighed both anchors and proceeded to gun boat anchorage. 6.30pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 6 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 7.00pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69a: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0011_1.jpg) 17 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] to Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.08, Long 112.05 6.15am: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river – sentries relieved. 7.30am: Hands to quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.00pm: Came to, astern of H.M.S. Moth, with Starboard anchor and veered to 2 shackles at Shui Hing. 2.15pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river in company with H.M.S. Moth. 3.20pm: Came to with Starboard anchor, veered to 1½ shackles at Kong Li ahead of H.M.S. Moth. 4.15pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river in company with H.M.S. Moth. 5.00pm: Came to with Starboard anchor and veered to 2 shackles at Wing O~. 5.40pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river astern of H.M.S. Moth. 6.15pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 7 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles at Sam Shui [Sanshui] astern of H.M.S. Moth. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69b: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0012_0.jpg) 18 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Hands employed at Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.00pm: Leave to the watch from 4 to 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69c: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0012_1.jpg) 19 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship’s side and funnels. 11.55am: Weighed anchor and proceeded to gun boat anchorage. 12.05pm: Came to with Starboard anchor, veered to 2 shackles. 1.00pm: Leave to the watch from 4 to 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69d: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0013_0.jpg) 20 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed painting funnels and cleaning paintwork. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 4 to 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69e: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0013_1.jpg) 21 October 1920 On River Lat 23.08, Long 112.19 The Cicala sights the U.S.S. Pampanga for the first time. The official record says of the U.S.S. Pampanga at this time that her duties included “investigating Chinese political conditions and offering assistance to Americans in danger or need” and that “she cruised the West River to Canton and beyond protecting American interests, especially in the period of heavy unrest in the middle 1920’s, and made frequent visits to Hong Kong, Swatow, and the other ports of the area”. The term “turn 16 points” means to execute the nautical equivalent of a U turn. See note for entry of 9 September 1918. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 8.30am: U.S.S. Pampanga arrived in harbour. Hands employed hoisting boats and securing ship for sea. 10.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 2.00pm: Turned 16 points and proceeded down river course and speed as requisite for reaching Sam Shui [Sanshui]. 4.15pm: Came to with Starboard anchor and veered to 2 shackles in 6 fathoms at Sam Shui [Sanshui]. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e69f: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0014_0.jpg) 22 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries secured. 6.05am: U.S.S. Pampanga left harbour. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed at Gun Drill. 1.00pm: Leave to the watch from 4 until 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0014_1.jpg) 23 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.30am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 8.25am: Oil lighter Tung Kwang secured alongside and received 36 tons of oil fuel. 10.00am: Hands employed scrubbing and washing down Upper Deck. 12.30pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 till 6.30pm. 1.00pm: Oil lighter slipped. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0015_0.jpg) 24 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Divisions, Captain’s Rounds. 10.20am: Prayers on Quarter Deck. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 till 6.30. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0015_1.jpg) 25 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.03am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 7.15am: H.M.S. Robin proceeded out of harbour. 8.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 9.30am: Hands employed at gun drill and as requisite. 11.40am: Came to with Starboard anchor in 6 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles, at Shui Hing. 2.20pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river. 5.15pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 6 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles at Sam Shui [Sanshui]. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0016_0.jpg) 26 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed sanding party, painting superstructure and as requisite. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 4 till 6.30. 3.30pm: H.M.S. Robin made fast alongside. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0016_1.jpg) 27 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.55am: H.M.S. Robin cast off. 7.00am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 7.30am: Quarters Clean Guns. 9.30am: Hands employed at gun drill and as requisite. 8.50pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 5 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 9.10pm: Sentries posted. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0017_0.jpg) 28 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship’s side and as requisite. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 3.30 till 6.30pm. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0017_1.jpg) 29 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.30am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed at gun drill and as requisite. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 3.30 till 6.30pm. 6.30pm: Sentries posted. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0018_0.jpg) 30 October 1920 Wuchau [Wuzhou] to Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.08, Long 112.03 5.40am: Hands employed in securing ship for sea. Sentries relieved. 6.35am: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing Decks. 4.45pm: Towed S.S. Kochow off sandbank off Mandarin Point. 5.10pm: Proceeded into Sam Shui [Sanshui]. 5.20pm: Came to with Starboard anchor in 5 fathoms and veered to 2 shackles. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0018_1.jpg) 31 October 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed clearing up decks. 10.00am: Divisions. 1.00pm: Leave to watch from 1.30 – 6.30pm. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6a9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0019_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6aa: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0019_1.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ab: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ac: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37804/ADM53-37804-0020_1.jpg) LOGS FOR NOVEMBER 1920 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ad: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0001_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ae: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0001_1.jpg) H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of November 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by J Eastley, Navigating Officer. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6af: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0002_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by R. G. M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander and dated 1st December 1920. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0003_0.jpg) Page recording metrological instrument details is blank. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0003_1.jpg) 1 November 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] to Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 22.85, Long 113.57 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.20am: H.M.S. Robin cast off. 6.30am: Weighed anchor and proceeded down river. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 4.15pm: Made fast to buoy off Shameen, Canton [Shamian Island, Guangzhou]. 5.30pm: Leave to watch till 10pm: – part of watch till 8pm: – Chiefs and Petty Officers till 11pm. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0004_0.jpg) 2 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.10am: H.M.S. Tarantula slipped and proceeded. 7.05am: Slipped and proceeded to gun boat anchorage. 7.50 Made fast head and stern to buoys. 9.00am: Hands employed at gun quarters and cleaning ship’s side.. 12.30pm: Leave to watch and part of watch from 1.30 till 10.00pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers till 11pm. 2.10pm: Hands paid monthly advance. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0004_1.jpg) 3 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed setting mast upright, scraping skiff and as requisite. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0005_0.jpg) 4 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 This is unusual. The entire crew have been sent ashore at the same time for two hours leaving only the officers on board the Cicala. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.20am: All seamen landed with heavy marching order for small arm drill and bayonet fighting instruction. 11.30am: Landing party returned. 11.45am: H.M.S. Robin entered harbour. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0005_1.jpg) 5 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite – part of ship. [sic] 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0006_0.jpg) 6 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing and washing down Upper Deck. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 3.45pm: Engine Room Rating Underwood re-joined from hospital. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0006_1.jpg) 7 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Divisions. 10.15am: Church of England Party landed. 11.45am: Church Party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6b9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0007_0.jpg) 8 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 7.15am: Leading Signalman, 1 Signalman and 1 Engine Room Artificer discharged to H.M.S. Tamar. 9.10am: H.M.S. Moth left harbour. 9.30am: Slipped from buoys and proceeded to Senior Naval Officer’s buoys. 9.45am: Secured head and stern to Senior Naval officer’s buoys. 10.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 11.00am: Oil lighter secured alongside. 1.10pm: Oiling completed. Received 45 tons. 1.15pm: Oil lighter cast off. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ba: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0007_1.jpg) 9 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 Another unusual entry. First, the Cicala is tied up to the buoys used by the Senior Naval Officer. Then, for a second time in a few days, all the crewmen get sent ashore for almost 2 hours. What is going on that that needs to be hidden from the men? 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: All seamen landed with heavy marching order for rifle drill. 11.20am: Landing party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6bb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0008_0.jpg) Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.30am: Informed Sub Lieutenant Eastley that thru’ gross carelessness he had improperly performed an important duty in that he did wrongly decode a Wireless Telegraph message, and thereby caused H.M.S. Cicala to proceed to Canton [Guangzhou] contrary to the orders contained in the Wireless Telegraph message. [Signed] J. Eastley, Sub Lieutenant Royal Navy. 9.30am: Hands employed scraping dinghy and scrubbing matting. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. The 6.30am: entry is exceptional in that it is written in a different hand to the other entries. It is the editor’s opinion that this entry has been written by the Captain of the Cicala, Lieutenant Commander R.G.M. Hunt. Compare the hand with the Captain’s signature found on the inside of the cover of each logbook. The signature below the text is that of Sub Lieutenant Eastley and matches that on the front cover of the logbooks. One implication of this entry is that the Cicala’s day-to-day movements are being continuously controlled by a higher authority – possibly China Station itself. A second implication is that the controlling authority is encoding its orders for transmission. The log for 23 June 1920 made reference to the Cicala’s “CBs” which was read as meaning “Code Books’. Here is evidence of codes being used. It does seem odd that instructions regarding the destination of a river gunboat are encoded. It is a large object that usually has only two options, to go up river or to go down river. Any observer with some knowledge of the area will be able to make a good guess at where it is going next. Consequently, it seems reasonable to conclude that these coded messages must also contain more sensitive instructions. At this point Sub Lieutenant Eastley’s punishment for his “gross carelessness” does not appear to be that severe. To decode any message Eastley will be looking up each 5 letter code word in an alphabetic list. He will then record the corresponding plain text word or phrase printed alongside the code word before going on to the next code word. He will repeat this process until the plain text of the message has been reconstructed. If Eastley misread a code word like “MXYGC” as “MXYCG” then he is in error. If both words happen to be valid codes words representing names of places that the Cicala can navigate to then Eastley has no way to spot that he had got something wrong. If he double checked his work it is very likely that he would make the same error a second time. We all have experienced this when, while proof-reading our own work, we will see what we expect to see rather than what we have actually written. To reduce the possibility of such errors the standard check procedure is to have two people decode the one message independently and then compare results. But the Cicala is a small ship and this may not be possible. What has happened here? If this is a procedural failure then Eastley can hardly be blamed for the events that followed. However, the use of the phrase ‘gross carelessness’ implies something more serious. At this point Eastley appears to be escaping with a fairly minor punishment. Reading ahead, it appears that the authorities are actually taking time to consider Eastley’s future as will be seen at the end of the month. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6bc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0008_1.jpg) 11 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Church of England party landed. 11.40am: Church party returned. 1.00pm: Leave to watch and part of watch from 1.30 till 11pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers till midnight. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6bd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0009_0.jpg) 12 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship’s side, scraping Dinghy and refitting awning stanchions. 12noon Read Warrant No.3. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6be: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0009_1.jpg) 13 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing Upper and Mess Decks. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6bf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0010_0.jpg) 14 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Divisions. 10.15am: Church of England party landed. 11.45am: Church party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0010_1.jpg) 15 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0011_0.jpg) 16 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 7.30am: All seamen landed for Physical Training exercises. 8.00am: Landing party returned. 9.30am: Hands employed rigging bath screen and chipping Battery Deck. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0011_1.jpg) 17 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed scraping Dinghy and chipping Battery Deck. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 6.30pm: Sentries placed. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0012_0.jpg) 18 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 9.00am: Hands employed chipping battery Deck, canvasing stanchions and scraping dinghy. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0012_1.jpg) 19 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 8.45am: Provision Party left ship. 9.30am: Hands employed chipping Battery Deck, scraping dinghy and canvasing stanchions. 11.45am: Provision Party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0013_0.jpg) 20 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed scrubbing and washing down Upper Deck. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0013_1.jpg) 21 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 10.00am: Divisions. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0014_0.jpg) 22 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed painting skiff and canvassing stanchions and hawser ~~~. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0014_1.jpg) 23 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.15am: Hands employed chipping Battery Deck, painting dinghy and mast. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6c9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0015_0.jpg) 24 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 We see the ship cleared of all its crew for another period of just less than two hours. A possible explanation is that the final decision has been made and delivered on what is to happen to Sub Lieutenant Eastley. The afternoon has a very strange log entry. One has to ask how it is possible to lose a barometer overboard by accident. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.15am: All seamen landed for drill. 11.25am: Landing party returned. 12.30pm: Barometer lost overboard by accident. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Reeve slip rope and unshackled forward. 11.50pm: Slipped from buoys and proceeded down river. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ca: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0015_1.jpg) 25 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] to Hong Kong and return Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 The Cicala has been making her way to Hong Kong overnight – something that is unusual as she usually anchors up overnight. The purpose of the journey appears to have been to refuel and to fill up her fresh water tanks although this is not obvious from the numbers recorded in the relevant sections of the page. 8.18am: Made fast alongside oiler Pearleaf at Hong Kong. Commenced oiling. 9.50am: Water boat Cherub made fast alongside – commenced taking in water. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.15am: Completed with oil fuel. Took in 25 tons. 10.20am: Completed with fresh water received 11 tons. Cherub shoved off. One seaman re-joined ship from hospital. 10.30am: One seaman discharged to hospital. 11.30am: Slipped and proceeded out of harbour. 9.10pm: Came to with Starboard anchor, veered to one shackle at Canton [Guangzhou]. 9.20pm: Weighed anchor and proceeded to Senior Naval Officer’s buoys. 9.35pm: Secured fore and aft to buoys. 10.00pm: Sentries posted. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6cb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0016_0.jpg) 26 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning and painting life boat, chipping Battery Deck and painting dinghy. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6cc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0016_1.jpg) 27 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed washing and scrubbing down Decks. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6cd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0017_0.jpg) 28 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 10.00am: Divisions. 10.15am: Church of England party landed. 11.45am: Church party returned. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ce: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0017_1.jpg) 29 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning and painting life boat, scraping Deck and stripping Lewis guns. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6cf: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0018_0.jpg) 30 November 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 An unusual log page – the last entry is the 6pm: time mark when the watch changed. However, a pattern does seem to be appearing where all the crewmen are sent ashore for training while events relating to Sub Lieutenant Eastley’s ‘gross carelessness’ progress. It appears that the issue of his future has been resolved. Looking forward to the cover of the December 1920 log book we discover that as of 1 December 1920 Sub Lieutenant Eastley is no longer the Navigating Officer of the Cicala. Presumably he was relieved of duty at the end of the watch at 6.00pm: on 30 November 1920 thereby creating a 6 hour gap in the record as recorded by the copy logs. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.15am: All seamen landed for small arm drill. 11.15am: Landing party returned on board. 1.00pm: Usual leave to watch and part of watch. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0018_1.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0019_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0019_1.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0020_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37805/ADM53-37805-0020_1.jpg) LOGS FOR DECEMBER 1920 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-001_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-001_1.jpg) A new signature appears on the front page. Confirmation that Sub Lieutenant Eastley has not got off as lightly for his error as it first appeared. H.M.S. Cicala Copy of Log for month of December 1920. Certified as a complete copy of the original log by D String Commissioned Gunner. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-002_0.jpg) 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-002_1.jpg) Nil report of ‘Ordinary speed or consumption exceeded’ signed off by R.G.M. Hunt, Lieutenant Commander and dated 1st January 1921. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6d9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-003_0.jpg) It appears that the barometer that was ‘lost overboard’ has still to be replaced. Thermometers for air temperatures: Fore superstructure, not in screen; Maker: A. Harper & sons Ltd No. 62a Thermometer for Sea Temperature: Maker Reynolds No. 58a 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6da: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-003_1.jpg) 1 December 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 The Cicala leaves the Senior Naval Officer’s buoys suggesting that the incident involving Sub Lieutenant Eastley has now been resolved. 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.45am: Slipped from Senior Naval Officer’s buoys and proceeded to J.M.’s buoys. 8.00am: Secured to buoys. 9.30am: Hands employed part [sic] of ship. 10.00am: U.S.S. Hart left harbour. 1.00pm: Leave to Port Watch and 1st part of Starboard Watch from 1.30 to 10pm. Chiefs and Petty Officers till 11pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6db: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-004_0.jpg) 2 December 1920 Canton [Guangzhou] Lat 23.06, Long 113.27 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 9.00am: Hands employed as requisite. 12.30pm: Usual leave to Watch and part Watch. 1.00pm: Hands employed as requisite and preparing ship for sea. 1.30pm: Paid ship’s company monthly advance. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 10.00pm: Sentries placed. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6dc: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-004_1.jpg) 3 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 6.00am: Sentries relieved. 6.45am: Slipped from buoys and proceeded down river. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning boats and paintwork. 5.30pm: Secured to No.10 buoy at Hong Kong. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6dd: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-005_0.jpg) 4 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.30am: 1 Engine Room Artificer and 1 Leading Seaman discharged to hospital. 1.00pm: Leave to Starboard Watch from 1.30 to 6.45am. 1.45pm: Water boat Cherub made fast alongside. 2.00pm: Water boat cast off. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6de: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-005_1.jpg) 5 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.30am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Church of England party landed. 10.00am: Divisions. 11.00am: Church party returned. 1.00pm: Leave to Port side from 1.30 to 6.45am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6df: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-006_0.jpg) 6 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 9.00am: Starboard Watch proceeded on leave till 7am: Thursday. 10.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 11.00am: Tugs Cherub and 06409 made fast alongside. 11.10am: Slipped from buoy. 11.35am: Secured alongside East wall of Camber. 12.30pm: Leave to part of watch from 4.30 till 6.45am. 1.00pm: Hands employed drawing stores. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-006_1.jpg) 7 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 9.30am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 1.00pm: Leave to part of watch from 4.30 till 6.45am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-007_0.jpg) 8 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.00am: Quarters clean guns. 8.45am: H.M.S. Cherub made fast Port side and 06409 Starboard quarter. 8.55am: Slipped from wall. 9.35am: Entered No.2 dry dock at Kowloon. 10.00am: Hands employed attending hawsers and cleaning ship. 1.00pm: Leave to part of watch from 4.00 till 7.45am. 6.00pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-007_1.jpg) 9 December 1920 Hong Kong (Kowloon Dry Dock) Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 The log keeper is using the 24 hour clock but does not fully understand it. He is showing midnight as 24.00 – a time that does not exist because using the 24 hour clock midnight is the time 00:00:00. 9.00am: Port watch proceeded on General Leave. 10.00am: Hand employed cleaning ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 11.35pm: One rating discharged to hospital. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-008_0.jpg) 10 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 12.30pm: Leave to 2nd part of Starboard Watch, 4pm: to 7.45am. 6.30pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-008_1.jpg) 11 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 The question is the nature of Sub Lieutenant Eastley’s illness. He was absent from the ship for several weeks during the passage from Plymouth to China Station. Is this a recurrence of the same illness? Is there a link to the arrival of Mr Norman Gun? 9.15am: Hands employed painting ship. 9.30am: Mr Norman Gun joined ship. 11.00am: Sub Lieutenant Eastley discharged to hospital. 12.30pm: Leave to 1st part of Starboard Watch from 3pm: to 7.45am. 6.30pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-009_0.jpg) 12 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 9.05am: Church party landed. 11.20am: Church party returned. 12.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch and 1st part Port [Watch] 1.30pm: [till] 7.45am. 6.30pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-009_1.jpg) 13 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 The date on this log record is incorrect. As the log reads there are two consecutive 12th Decembers! We must assume that this is actually the 13th. 8.30am: Hands employed scrubbing matting and washing down decks. 10.30am: Water boat Cherub alongside dock. 10.55am: Cherub left dock wall. 12.30pm: Leave to Port Watch and 2nd part of Starboard Watch from 4.00pm: to 7.45am. 6.30pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-010_0.jpg) 14 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 8.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 12.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch and 2nd part Port Watch from 4.00pm: to 7.45am. 6.30pm: Exercised Fire Stations. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-010_1.jpg) 15 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 All that exercising of Fire Stations pays off today. 8.00am: French cruiser entered harbour. 9.15am: Hands employed cleaning ship [and] cleaning small arms. 12.30pm: Leave to Port Watch and 1st part Starboard [Watch] from 4.00pm: to 7.45am. 1.15pm: Small fire in Canteen Flat cause due to acetylene welding plant in Starboard Propeller Tunnel. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6e9: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-011_0.jpg) 16 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 8.10am: Store parties left ship. 11.00am: Store parties returned with stores. 12.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch and 1st part Port [Watch] from 4.30pm: to 7am: in morning. 1.30pm: Ship under sailing orders. 2.00pm: One Engine Room Artificer rating joined ship. 3.00pm: Hands employed stowing stores. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ea: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-011_1.jpg) 17 December 1920 Kowloon Dry Dock Lat 22.32, Long 114.20 The Cicala is dual fuelled but the 9.30am: log entry tells us that the Cicala’s cooking ranges are coal fired. 3.55am: Commenced flooding dock. 5.20am: Dock flooded. 6.15am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.10am: Tugs OC.409 and Cherub alongside – towed alongside Pearleaf oiler. 8.50am: Cherub (water boat) shoved off. 8.55am: Oil hoses aboard. 9.30am: Coal [lighter] alongside. 4 tons culinary coal. 10.45am: Coal lighter left ship. 12noon One Engine Room Artificer joined ship from H.M.S. Curlew. One Engine Room Artificer left ship for H.M.S. Curlew. 1.00pm: Left Pearleaf and proceeded out of harbour. Course and speed as requisite. 4.00pm: Came to anchor (Port) in 2 fathoms and veered to 1 shackle at Kiaw. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6eb: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-012_0.jpg) 18 December 1920 Ki Su [Jiuzhou Port] Lat 22.23, Long 113.59 What is happening? This page and those following have all been completed by the Captain. 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning paintwork and skiff. 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ec: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-012_1.jpg) 19 December 1920 Ki Su [Jiuzhou Port] Lat 22.23, Long 113.59 The wind is getting up to force 6 this morning and the Captain being very cautious today. 7.25am: Weighed and proceeded to lee of islands. 8.25am: Came to with both anchors in 6¾ fathoms and veered to 2½ shackles. 8.45am: Piped down. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ed: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-013_0.jpg) 20 December 1920 Ki Su [Jiuzhou Port] Lat 22.23, Long 113.59 9.45am: Weighed [anchors] and proceeded. 10.30am: Hands employed in cleaning life boat and as requisite. 11.25am: Came to with Starboard anchor in 2½ fathoms. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ee: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-013_1.jpg) 21 December 1920 At Sea Lat 22.2, Long 113.9 The 5:30pm: entry is interesting. The new crew members are Chinese. Konstram: in his book “Yangtze River Gunboats 1900-49” under the heading ‘Life on the Gunboats’ remarks of the gunboats that “[…] they were popular with the foreign sailors who served on them, as Chinese crewmen often performed the more menial duties such as washing clothes, scrubbing decks and cooking meals.” 7.00am: Hands employed cleaning ship. 8.30am: Hands employed refitting life boat painters and cleaning ship as requisite. 1.00pm: Watch turned in boats. Weighed [anchor] and proceeded. 5.00pm: Arrived Hong Kong. 5.15pm: Secured alongside oiler Pearleaf. 5.30pm: Two Chinese Able Bodied Seamen joined ship. 6.00pm: Leave to Port Watch from 6.00pm: to 7.30am. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6ef: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-014_0.jpg) 22 December 1920 Hong Kong Lat 22.29, Long 114.17 7.00am: Water boat Cherub alongside. 7.30am: Water boat shoved off. Oil hoses inboard. 8.10am: Commenced oiling. 9.15am: Hands employed cleaning ship and obtaining stores from Dockyard. 9.30am: Finished oiling. Out hoses. 1 rating (Leading Seaman FitzGerald) returned from hospital. 2 Chinese Stokers joined ship. Pilot came on board. Mr Norman Gunner G discharged to H.M.S. Tamar. 11.15am: Slipped from oiler and proceeded. 4.00pm: Came to with Port anchor in 3 fathoms, veered to 2 shackles. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f0: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-014_1.jpg) 23 December 1920 Wom Moon Lat 22.77, Long 113.09 7.00am: H.M.S. Moth proceeded. 8.45am: Hoisted skiff and turned in gangways and booms. 9.10am: Weighed and proceeded up river. 9.30am: Hands employed as requisite. 3.20pm: Arrived Sam Shui [Sanshui]. 3.25pm: Came to with Port anchor. Veered to 1½ fathoms. 9.00 Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f1: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-015_0.jpg) 24 December 1920 Sam Shui [Sanshui] Lat 23.17, Long 112.83 6.00am: Starboard Watch hoisted boats. 6.55am: Weighed anchor and proceeded up river. 9.00am: Hands employed in cleaning ship. 6.45pm: Came to with Port anchor in 3½ fathoms. Veered to 2 shackles. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f2: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-015_1.jpg) 25 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 Christmas Day in China. What does a British crew do? Play football of course! 10.00am: Football party landed. 10.30am: Piped down. 11.55am: Football party returned on board. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f3: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-016_0.jpg) 26 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 9.30am: S.S. Ko Chow arrived. Hands employed cleaning ship. 10.15am: S.S. Kook Ling arrived. 1.30pm: Leave to Starboard Watch and 2nd part Port Watch till 6.00pm. Chief Petty Officers and Petty Officers till 6.30pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f4: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-016_1.jpg) 27 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 After seeing so little evidence of there being other ships on the river it seems that Wuzhou is a busy place. But there is something strange here. How does the steamer Kook-Ling manage to leave Wuzhou twice in the one day? The log is written in the very precise hand that looks like that of the Captain. Considering the precision with which the log has been written it is difficult to believe that this is a mistake. 8.50am: S.S. Kook-Ling proceeded down river. 9.00am: Hands employed scrubbing matting and painting ship. 9.10am: S.S. Tai-On arrived. 9.15am: S.S. Kong-Wong arrived. 1.15pm: Hands employed painting ship. 2.20pm: S.S. Ko-Chow proceeded down river. 2.40pm: S.S. Kong-Chow arrived. 3.10pm: S.S. Kook-Ling proceeded down river. 4.30pm: S.S. Kwong-Wai arrived. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f5: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-017_0.jpg) 28 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 6.45am: Hands employed in sweeping up decks and painting ship. 8.15am: S.S. Kwong-Wai proceeded down river. 8.25am: S.S. Sun-On arrived. 8.50am: S.S. Chung-On arrived. 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting ship. 3.20pm: S.S. Sainam: arrived. 3.25pm: S.S. Kwong-Hung proceeded down river. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f6: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-017_1.jpg) 29 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 7.00am: Hands employed painting down aloft. 8.30am: S.S. Tai-Ming arrived with mail. 9.00am: Hands employed painting down aloft. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting ship. 4.30pm: Leave to Port Watch and 2nd part Starboard Watch till 6.00pm. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f7: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-018_0.jpg) 30 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 9.00am: Hands employed cleaning Mess deck and scrubbing deck matting. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting guns and Upper Deck aft. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. 4caf855ccadfd3419700e6f8: (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ADM53-37806/ADM 53-37806-018_1.jpg) 31 December 1920 Wu-Chow [Wuzhou] Lat 23.48, Long 111.31 9.00am: Hands employed painting ship. 1.30pm: Hands employed painting ship. 9.00pm: Rounds correct. |
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Revised 27/05/2015 |
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Project
