Page 5

5.

In the evening of the 26th the Galley & Jolly had a race. The Galley won
There was great rivalry between the two boats. 27th to 29th, just working about
the ship, nothing particular doing. 31st - blowing hard all day, thermometer
down to 35 degrees.

Nov 2nd we went to Chan Quang Tan & brought some Royal
Engineers up to Shan Hai Kwan & took [them?] back in the evening and anchored
at Chang Quang Tan that night. Nov. 3rd went to Shan Hai Kwan in the
morning and went back in the evening. We dressed ship in honour of the
Emperor of Japan's birthday. November 4th (Sunday) we went aboard a merchant
steamer, the "Hsi Ping" and unloaded a lot of timber and let it drift ashore.

Last night, Nov 5th, we got news to say that we were to proceed
home! This morning we went to Shan Hai Kwan and when we were leaving
there the crew of HMS. "Dido" gave three cheers for the "Protector", one for the
Captain of the "Pro" & one for Australia. We replied by giving three for the
Dido, three for the old country, one for the captain and one for their good
luck on the China station.

In the evening she was rolling heavily and one lee lurch
she unhooked the first cutter and she swung in the gripes. We got her aboard
alright. On the 6th we arrived in Wei-Hai-Wei and got everything ready for
coaling next day. Nov 7th, coaled and watered ship at sailed for Hong Kong
9 o'clock the same evening. Nov 11th, Sunday. Church - blowing hard all
day - In the evening it rose to a perfect hurricane, the heaviest blow we have
been in since we left Nov 12th - we arrived in the mouth of Hong Kong
harbour.

Nov 13th - up at 4AM, scrub and wash desk and paint work
at 7 AM weighed anchor and arrived in Hong Kong 7.45AM. H.M.S. "Peacock"
"Argonaut" and "Astra", also the British storeship "Humber" there. The transport
["Salamis"?] with six Naval [Brigades?] men on the sick list is also lying here.
Nov 14th - we went on boat drill. We pulled and sailed right across the
bay. We saw dozens of sunken junks that were swamped in the typhoon
last Saturday. There is also a dredge sunk, drowning 1 Englishman and
50 Chinese. Nov 15th - we returned all our winter clothing & [mastard?} guns

Nov 18th - We went on H.M.S "Tamar" to church, and in the
afternoon I went up to the Peak. It is a very extensive view; can see nearly
all around Hong Kong Island and looking down on the Town & harbour it looks
very pretty. Nov 19th - we went into the Naval dry dock There are several
vessels in dock, both Naval and Merchantmen. Came out of dock Nov 22nd at
3pm. Nov 23rd - coaled, watered & stored ship ready for sea. Last night
we had our last leave in China.