Cook of Mess. Went to Holy Communion in Admirals Cabin at 8:45. Cleaned pinnace out. Thought we were going to take Church Parties ashore but they were washed out. Got an hour’s extra drill for not having shaved before divisions. Church in forenoon. Dock started sinking about 3 o’clock. Heard buzz that Holland had declared war against Germany.
April 4th 1915
Cleaned Flats and then told off to paint under mess tables on fore mess deck. Boat-keeper of Sailing pinnace in afternoon. Took Liberty men ashore at 1:30. Fletcher and the rest of No 1 Coy off the “Temeraire” came on board to see me in afternoon. Fetched Liberty men off at 6 o’clock. Duty sub. Rigged hoses at 8.15 and got in new Commander’s gear at 8.45. Cook of Mess tomorrow.
April 3rd 1915
Good Friday. Cleaned pinnace and then cleaned into No. 2’s and had Sunday Routine. Church in forenoon. Pipe down in afternoon.
April 2nd 1915
Told off to pump bath-room out. Holystoned decks for the rest of the forenoon. Paid during dinner hour. Dipped (Ed: Slipped?) lanyards under nets in afternoon.
April 1 1915
Cleaned paint work 1st thing in [afternoon] forenoon and after stand easy painted ship for the rest of the day. Went ashore at Invergordon with Sid & Selous at 4.30 until 7 o’clock. Rather pale. Had tea and a stroll around.
March 31st 1915a
March 31st 1915b
Scrubbed decks. Cleaned out Sailing pinnace all forenoon. Came inboard and hoisted picket boat by hand. Battle Fleet had returned when we turned out and so evidently was nothing doing.
March 30th 1915
Scrubbed decks with sand. Boat keeper of Sailing pinnace all day. Took 1st part of port Watch over to floating dock about 9.30. “Lion” came in about 11 o’clock. Started pumping dock out almost immediately. Had to stop in pinnace all day keeping her clear. Ships company scrubbed bottom. Finished pumping about 5.30. Scrubbed hammock in evening. Battle Fleet put to sea and buzz that German Squadron was out.
March 29th 1915
Had morning Watch. Packed up at 5.0.A.M. Turned in again. Reeled up 4 1/2′ hauser, scrubbed decks & then went to quarters clean guns. Went to prayers at 10.20. and then piped down. Lovely day. Bright but cold. Got head to bear in afternoon. Went to evening quarters. Arrived Cormarty about 9.30.
March 28th 1915
Decks covered with snow. Scrubbed dekcs. Nice mess doing so. Carried on with nets and then took scrap into yard. Carried on with nets in afternoon. Probably going to sea this evening. Turned in at 9 o’clock but had to turn out again at 11 o’clock. Went onto wharf to let hausers go. Ship put to sea. Turned in again at 12.0.A.M.
March 27th 1915
Turned out at 5.30. Arrived on board at 7 o’clock. Scrubbed decks. Cook of Mess. Watch below. Carried on with nets. Snowed in evening.
March 26th 1915