Item 01: Leslie William Sutherland diary, 24 September 1914 - 23 September 1915 - Page 178

[Page 178]

17 November 1914
Tuesday Left Colombo

Revielle at 6
Weighed anchor at 6.35 & then proceeded at half speed to anchorage out in the bay in our old signal positions the whole fleet moved out at 11.30 with the Hampshire at the lead. During the morning the sergeant of the guard whilst inspecting the rifles of guard failed to replace the [indecipherable] & pulled the trigger the bullet chipped the rail underneath a man but happily no damage was done. Wright got clink for not wearing a hat 3 days 4 nt. Canteen Corporal & not a troops man presented a chit. Last glimpse of Ceylon was Adam's Peak away up in the clouds expect to make Aden in 10 wks time. We have got jam at last & bought a doz small @ 7/-. No mail at Colombo but theres a chance of it at Aden Bed 9.30

18 November 1914
Wednesday

Out at the usual hour & am glad to be at sea again. Our turn at stables came round again & we are glad to be under Bert again. The vessels had fog practice today the procedure is:- A barrel whitened on the end of a long rope is let off the end of the boat then the rear vessel steers by it then the vessels also blow their different calls on the siren at frequent intervals. Huge shoals of fish are to be seen in the water as it is very clear here also shoals of flying fish. The finals of the boxing started tonight & Maty fought the Trumpeter. [indecipherable] was altogether to good for him for in the first round legboned him 3 times then in the second he knocked him out. The Trump took it well but was no hero. Drinkwater also was beaten through lack of knowledge. 200 bags of chaff have been thrown over board & there is to be naval inquiry. Bed at 9.00.