Arrived Rosyth about 7.0.A.M. Started coaling from Agnes Duncan about 8 o’clock 11 o’clock. Took in 980 tons and finished abou11 o’clock. Went to dinner and cleaned up ship afterwards.

February 12th 1916

Had Middle Watch. Watch seemed very long especially as we had turned out at 3.45 A.M. and did not turn in again until 4.0 AM. Action sounded off about 7.0 AM. There had been a strong buzz during Middle about having scrap with enemy for dead cert.  Battle Cruisers or something being out. However fate was against us again and nothing doing. Secured about 9.30. “Arabis” (minelayer) sunk by German destroyers off Dogger Bank and so something evidently had been out but can’t say what, although heaps of buzzes were about, but it is best not to believe too much until it is official. Very glad to get head down in afternoon and slept like a top. Had First Watch.

February 11th 1916

February 11th 1916 B

(Link to H.M.S. Arabis from the Wikipedia)

Starboard Watch called at 3.45 AM and fell in at 4.30. Got ready for going to sea. Thought there must be something doing but as soon as we had got ladder triced up, everything was belayed. Scrubbed decks with sand before breakfast and went to cleaning quarters after breakfast. Hands finished off painting ship. Scrubbed paint off deck with Caustic and Wire Scrubbers. Training class in afternoon. Field Exercise. French & Yankee journalists visited ship. Prepared for sea at 9.30 p.m. Got under way about midnight.

February 10th 1916

Very nice day though rather cold 1st thing. Hands painted ship but I was told off for provisioning party. Landed at stockyard in forenoon and fetched provisions and rum in Saxon. Got them on board before dinner and stowed them in afternoon. Cook of Mess.

February 9th 1916

Blowing hard all night. Snowing practically all day. Put new sewing on coaling strops in forenoon. Training class in afternoon. Shell Room and Magazine Drill.

February 8th 1916

Snowing 1st thing in morning and continued doing so off and on all day. Worked Main Derrick and in flats for the reast of forenoon. Training class in afternoon. Had yarn about clock and Dumaresq. Had to stop early as provision boat came alongside about 3.0 pm. Starboard Watch provisioned until about 5.15 pm. In hold, stowing. Port Watch relieved us at 5.15. Reserves should have played Signalmen but weather was unfavourable. Duty Sub. Slept under fore-shelter deck.

February 7th 1916

Started summer routine. Hands called at 5.15. Fell in at 6.0.AM. Could not see to do very much until about 7 o’clock and so it was rather a farce. Mustered by the ledger. Had Service Certificate served out for inspection. Church afterwards. Head down in afternoon.

February 6th 1916

Saturday Routine in forenoon. Went to Y.M.C.A in afternoon to see Officer’s Concert again. Not as good as last time.

February 5th 1916

Saturday Routine in forenoon. 3rd Sub had to get in spuds. Painting hatches on upper deck in forenoon. Cleaned down yards and masts ready for painting in afternoon.

February 4th 1916

Had morning Watch. Packed up at 4.30. Did not go into harbour as expected. Were going to P.2. but it was postponed. Nearly ran 2 mines down in forenoon. Humping flour all forenoon. Head down in afternoon. Arrived Rosyth about 5.30. Started coaling at 7.15. Took in 620 tons from Agnes Duncan. Finished about 9 o’clock. Swept down upper deck but did not scrub. Agnes Duncan quite a treat after last two coalings. Duty Sub. 

February 3rd 1916