George Jeffery Diary 1900

6.

November 24th at 9.30AM we left Hong Kong. All the British men-of-war in Harbour manned their rigging and cheered as we left. November 25th, Sunday there is a heavy beam sea running and there is not a dry spot on her. She is rolling as much as 35 degrees - sometimes she dips the boats into the water

A very laughable incident happened just before dinner. We had a quarter-bag of flour on our mess locker, and one of our mess-mates was lying on the floor just underneath it. Bye & Bye she gave and extra heavy roll, capsized the flour all over this chap. He got up spitting and spluttering and when he went on deck, you should have heard the roar of laughter In the galley meat, potatoes, pots & pans were sliding about in mixed up confusion from one side to the other.

Early this morning (Nov. 26th) we sighted the Philippine Islands We have been sailing along them all day and expect to arrive in Manila during the night. - Arrived 11pm - Nov 27th - we arrived here (Manila) last night. It is a fair sized place, low lying with high lands at the back. We started coaling about 3pm. The coolies are a mixture of Chinese & Philippinos. They say that it is very lively with launches and boats in the river. There ['is' crossed out] are a lot of vessels lying here. There is a breakwater about a mile long, unfinished. The American man-ofwar fleet are lying at Cavite about 6 miles from here. The Yanks are still fighting the insurgents about 10 miles inland. They captured a schooner loaded with ammunition & arms this morning.

Wednesday Nov 28th - We left Manila this morning at 7.20. I had the wheel for a few minutes, then the starboard watch relieved me. I saw Cavite Bay where the battle was fought. It is about 7 miles from Manila. We passed within 4 miles of the sunken ships. About 4pm we passed the place where the Jap Mail boat was wrecked. She looked just the same as when we went up. Sea very calm. Thursday 29th - we are passing through islands all day; some of the scenery very pretty, sea like glass.

Friday Nov 30th. We passed the last of the Philippine group this morning Our last look was very pretty There was a village built on swampy ground, with the houses all on piles & banana, date & all kinds of fruit trees along side of them. In fact you could hardly see the houses for them. There was a mud fort with the American flag flying and a Yankee steamboat anchored in shore & native canoes out fishing. They are just the opposite looking to the Chinese fishing boats. We still are having fine weather & smooth sea.

Dec 1st - Passed another group of Islands, weather still very fine. Sunday Dec 2nd - crossed the line 4 this morning. Monday Dec 3rd - we arrived Amboina this morning. We are laying alongside of a little wharf not 20 yards from the shore in 3 fathoms of water, One hundred yard out there is 25 fathoms and a quarter mile out is 40 fathoms. I went ashore this afternoon looking for banana and coconuts. We got a few coconuts

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but the bananas were green They all grow wild, pineapples and all. Get water and sail tomorrow. Finished coaling this evening. Fired salute 21 guns on arriving. December 4th - Sailed this morning at 8AM Dec 5th - passed Bird Is. 2 A.M - saw waterspout 1pm.

December 8th we anchored outside Thursday Is last night. This morning we steamed into the harbor & started coaling at 10AM, finishing at 9 p.m. Dec 9th - Went alongside of wharf at 6AM, watered ship & sailed 11AM. Anchored in Torres Straits for 3 1/2 hours same night.

Dec 10th - Going through the straits. Clean ship day. At 5 30pm passed HMS. Dart, a British surveying ship. Dec 11th - arrived Cairns 1 p.m about 30 Queensland Naval Brigade came out with a few civilians bringing some fruit etc. Sailed 4pm. Dec 14th - arrived Brisbane 11pm Dec 15th - This morning we coaled & watered ship. In the afternoon the "Gayundahs" men volunteered to wash down for us, which they did while we went ashore on leave. Had a good look around & returned aboard 11pm

Dec 16th - Captain Creswell came aboard in the morning and gave us his parting addresses. Had our photo taken etc & sailed 12 oclock for Sydney, having received orders since we arrived to proceed to Sydney for orders. We in Sydney this morning Dec 18th, 4 hours late owing to running into a heavy head sea & SW. blow during the night. On arriving steamed into Watsons Bay for health officer & went up to Farm Cove or Man of War Bay, anchoring with the rest of the squadron. There are 8 Men of war lying here, including the Royal Arthur. There is a German Cruiser here as well. This evening went on leave till 11 p.m. Saw the arch where Lord Hopetoun was landed and and where they are building stands for viewing the Commonwealth celebrations.

Dec 21st - Have been painting & cleaning ship this last two days. Have been ashore twice. Met G.F. James of the Alastor here last night. D. McDougall told him we were here. He is on a four masted barque the "Strathgryfe" from Liverpool. I also met I Haga this morning. Twenty of our men went ashore to drill for the celebrations. They work with other Men-of-War in harbor. This evening there was a display of fireworks on the yachts belonging to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. They were serenading the Governor General. They were all lit up on the rigging & everywhere a light could be placed - steamers whistling Hip. Hip. Hurrah.

Dec 22nd - This morning the "Brittania" arrived with the Imperial troops, also the "Dalhousie" with Indian troops. We could see them land from here. Great crowd of people to see them. In the afternoon the Harbor was dotted with yachts of all descriptions. From the little 8 footers to the big yawls. In the evening had leave till 7AM next morning. The first night I have had ahsore since we left. Dec 24th - Christmas Eve. went ashore. Met Victorian soldiers. Crowds in the street.

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Christmas Day - On board all day, nothing to do. This morning the New Zealand Commonwealth contingent arrived. In the afternoon G. James and mates came aboard. Dec 26th - in the afternoon went down to the Centennial Park and had a look at the SA contingent. Met 4 old acquaintances. 28th - went ashore 4.30p till 11pm. Dec 29th - My 21st Birthday - Aboard all day, clean ship. HMS Pylindes arrived during the night. 30th - Australian Man of war arrived this morning. This afternoon Jim and I went up to Parramatta. Took steamer for 14 miles, then train for 5 miles. Some pretty scenery on the way up.

Monday 31st - This a.m. the Admiral inspected us. He made a stump speech. He said "the Admirality desire me to thank you for your services in China" and something about being well drilled and disciplined etc., and if we did not see active service it was not our fault - so "Goodbye, a Happy New Year & a good reception when you get back". Jan 1st 1901 - our contingent in the Escort landed 9A.M. and started on the procession 10AM and marched till 1pm, to the swearing in work place. About 20 of us stayed aboard to fire the salute. Every man-of-war in Harbor fired 21 guns. They looked very well all dressed for the occasion. After we fired the salute we went ashore except about a dozen hands as dutymen.

I did not get a chance to see the procession, but I saw all the illuminations. The Bank of N.S.W. and G.P.O. looked well. I think they look the score. The Port office had the following inscriptions "Welcome to our [Small map of Australia with Governor General" "God Save United written in Caps in the Centre] the Queen"

The various arches looked very well indeed. In fact anywhere a light could be placed there it was, even every yard of foot of pathway and the gardens was lit with an electric globe. The [Mlarl?] boats had beads of lights all around them. The Royal Arthur had strings of light up and down the masts, along the waterline and bulwarks, up and down stem and stern ports, flagstaffs and funnels, in fact a complete outline of her formed by lights. We went aboard at 11pm after having seen one of the sights of a lifetime.

Jan 2nd - at 9 a.m. we slipped our moorings and started on the last lap for home. On passing the men of war they all manned their rigging and cheered us vociferously. We returned the compliment and at 10 oclock steamed out of the Heads.

Sunday Jan 6th - Arrived Port Adelaide 5pm. Had rough weather right from Sydney. Governor Musgrave and several launches met us on the gulf. Had the Port Band with us up the River. There was also a good crowd to see us in the Port.

Monday 7th - Welcome social in the Port Town Hall. Tuesday 8th went to Largs to pay off. Wednes 9th - Arrived home (P.S. Got paid up till Saturday 13th Jan 1901).

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DATES

Aug 4th 1900 - signed on "Protector" H.M.S 6th " - sailed from Port Adelaide 10th " - arrived in Sydney 12th " - Sailed from Sydney 14th " - Arrived Brisbane 15th " - Sailed Brisbane 18th " - arrived Townsville 18th " - sailed Townsville 19-21st " - Anchored in Torres Strait 22nd " - Arrived Thursday Is. 23rd " - sailed Thursday Is. 29th " - Crossed the line

Sept 2nd - Arrived Ilo Ilo 5th - sailed Ilo Ilo 9th - arrived Hong Kong 19th - sailed Hong Kong 23rd - arrived Woo Sung 25th - sailed Woo Sung 25th - arrived Shanghai 29th - sailed Shanghai 30th - arrived Wei-Hau-Wei 30th - sailed Wei-Hau-Wei

Oct 1st - arrived Taku 2nd - sailed Taku 3rd - arrived Chang Quang Tan 3rd - sailed Chang Quang Tan 3rd - arrived Taku 8th - sailed Taku 9th - arrived Chang Quang Tan 9th - sailed Chang Quang Tan 9th - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 11th - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 11th - arrived Chang Quang Tan 11th - sailed Chang Quang Tan 11th - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 15th - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 16th - arrived Newchuang 18th - sailed Newchuang 19th - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 24th - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 24th - arrived Chang Quang Tan 24th - sailed Chang Quang Tan 24th - arrived Shan Hai Kwan

Nov 2nd - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 2nd - arrived Chang Quang Tan 2nd - sailed Chang Quang Tan 2nd - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 2nd - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 2nd - arrived Chang Quang Tan 3rd - sailed Chang Quang Tan 3rd - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 3rd - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 3rd - arrived Chang Quang Tan 5th - sailed Chang Quang Tan 5th - arrived Shan Hai Kwan 5th - sailed Shan Hai Kwan 6th - arrived Wei-Hau-Wei 7th - sailed Wei-Hau-Wei 15th - arrived Hong Kong 24th - sailed Hong Kong 26th - arrived Manila 28th - sailed Manila

Dec 2nd - crossed the line 3rd - arrived Amboina 4th - sailed Amboina 8th - arrived Thursday Is. 9th - sailed Thursday Is. 11th - arrived Cairns 11th - sailed Cairns 14th - arrived Brisbane 16th - sailed Brisbane 18th - arrived Sydney

Jan 2 1901 - sailed Sydney 6 - arrived Port Adelaide