Friday 1939-09-01
At: Sea 04:00 - Action stations
05:40 - Port watch close up in 3rd degree of readiness
06:20 - Commenced normal Zig Zag 17 knots
06:30 - Emergency party of port watch fall in and clean ship
08:00 - Starboard watch close up 3rd degree of readiness
08:25 - Ceased Zig Zag
18:40 - Commenced Zig Zag
19:10 - Ceased Zig Zag
20:00 - Action stations
20:30 - Assumed 4th degree of readiness
Saturday 1939-09-02
At: Sea 05:00 - Increased distance from "Nelson" to 4'
05:10 - Action stations
06:45 - Assumed 3rd degree of readiness
06:56 - In PVs 0730 - Assumed 2nd degree of readiness
08:00 - Position - 59º 11'N, 8º 10' W
12:00 - Position - 59º 01' N, 10º 20.5' W
16:40 - Emergency party ventilate after flats
18:30 - Hands from quarters - darken ship
20:00 - Position - 58º 42'N, 14º 06'W
20:30 - Night Action Stations
23:30 - Assumed 3rd degree of readiness
Sunday 1939-09-03
At: Sea 07:00 - Emergency party of port watch clean ship
08:00 - Position - 58º 21'N, 19º 13'W
11:00 - War declared against Germany
12:00 - 58º 20.5'N, 19º 23'W
13:30 - Action Stations
16:30 - commenced Zig Zags Plan 5
17:25 - Detached D6 to investigate M/V by 220º - 12'
18:20 - Co 21
18:45 - altered course 360º 18 knots to comply with CinC's movements and join fleet
20:00 - Position - 58º 34'N, 18º 37.5'W
20:00 - Assumed 4th degree of readiness
22:28 - altered course 160º
22:32 - altered course 075º to conform to CinC
Monday 1939-09-04
At: Sea 08:00 - Position - 59º 43'N, 12º 17'W
08:00 - Port watch closed up at 3rd degree of readiness
08:30 - Commenced normal Zig Zag 19.5 knots
08:50 - "Ashanti" investigating contact
09:10 - Commenced normal Zig Zag 19.5 knots
12:00 - Position 60º 01'N, 09º 53'W
13:15 - altered course 075º to clear "Ark Royal"
14:10 - Commenced normal Zig Zag 18 knots
18:17 - Commenced normal Zig Zag No. 18, 17 knots
19:00 - Streamed PVs
20:00 - Position 60º 02'N, 05º 54'W
20:30 - Night Action Stations. Stand fast supply parties
Tuesday 1939-09-05
At: Sea 05:30 - Action Stations
06:50 - Assumed 3rd degree of readiness
07:00 - Fog cleared
07:07 - Commenced normal Zig Zag
07:25 - Ceased Zig Zag
08:00 - Position - 59º 42.5'N, 0º 18'W
09:15 - Fog - 2 altered course passed low. Told to return to Ark Royal
09:20 - Streamed fog buoy 10.21 - Fog cleared
09:35 - 11th Division take station astern
10:24 - Sighted 'J' destroyer
10:40 - Commenced normal Zig Zag
11:57 - Ceased Zig Zag
12:00 - Position 59º 44'N, 00º 31'E
12:25 - Torpedo in sight to port reported. Hard to port.
12:27 - Hard a starboard
12:47 - Contact port - hard a starboard
12:49 - Resumed course
13:00 - Starboard watch to payment
15:40 - Dense fog; CinC 298 7'
20:00 - Position 59º 12'N, 01º 08'W
Wednesday 1939-09-06
To: Sea
At: Scapa 02:56 - In PVs
03:21 - Passed gate
03:44 - Stop
03:52 - Came to port anchor in 17 fthms
05:00 - Oiler "Birebol" secured alongside
07:45 - 'Repel Aircraft'
08:50 - Secure. Both watches for exercise
09:10 - 'Repel Aircraft'
09:30 - Secure
11:00 - Drifter "North Haven" secured alongside
12:00 - Hands to Make and Mend Clothes
16:00 - Evening Quarters
20:00 - Darken ship
21:30 - Special S/L crews muster TCP
Thursday 1939-09-07
At: Scapa 05:00 - "Ark Royal" sailed
05:30 - 1st Division, 2nd Battle Squadron sailed
06:30 - Hands scrub and wash decks
06:45 - "North Haven" left for "Iron Duke"
07:50 - HA armament close up to 1st degree of readiness
07:55 - Quarters clean guns
11:40 - "Dragon" entered harbour
12:10 - Pom Pom & 0.5 guns crews Make and Mend Clothes
13:10 - Special sea duty men cable party close up
13:30 - weighed
13:32 - Course & speed as requisite for firing practice in Flow
14:30 - Stop. Carried out 4" HA firings port and starboard
15:35 - completed firings
15:40 - Course & speed as requisite in Flow for swinging
17:10 - completed swing. Special sea duty to status
17:11 - Course & speed as requisite for anchoring
17:35 - stop
17:41 - came to port anchor in 18 fthms veered to 8 shackles secured
20:00 - duty party of watch clear decks
Friday 1939-09-08
From: Scapa
To: Sea
At: Sea 05:30 - Hands fall in secure for sea. Prepare to get out PVs
06:15 - special sea duty men and cable party close up
06:37 - weighed
06:42 - pointed 100º
06:49 - course & speed as requisite for leaving harbour
07:15 - passed gate
07:25 - out PVs
08:00 - Position 58º 45'N, 03º 14.5'W
09:38 - altered course 280º Fury investigating contact to starboard
10:00 - commenced Zig Zag No. 11
10:22 - Emergency turn to port
10:23 - resume course 315º
12:00 - Position 59º 31'N, 04º 30'W
16:18 - carried out normal Zig Zag
17:00 - commenced Zig Zag No. 23 speed 17.5 knots
18:00 - Destroyers stationed astern. Cruisers 3' on port and starboard beams
19:55 - assumed 3rd degree of readiness
20:00 - Position 60º 60'N, 07º 22'W
20:12 - commenced normal Zig Zag
21:30 - ceased Zig Zag
21:40 - Destroyers astern
Saturday 1939-09-09
At: Sea 05:00 - HA guns crews control parties close up
07:00 - commenced Zig Zag
07:20 - contact made with northern patrol
08:00 - Position 60º 59'N, 11º 30'W
08:00 - 3rd degree LA readiness, 4th degree HA readiness
12:00 - Position 61º 02'N, 11º 00'W
18:52 - Fog patches
20:00 - Position 67º 02.5'N, 09º 48'W
20:00 - Negative 4th degree HA readiness
20:13 - "Fearless" detached to recall "Edinburgh"
20:30 - Hands to Night Action Stations
21:00 - Assumed 3rd degree of LA readiness
21:20 - "Fury" astern, "Fearless" rejoined
Sunday 1939-09-10
At: Sea 04:20 - starboard watch to 3rd degree of readiness
08:00 - Position 62º 45'N, 15º 59'W
08:00 - port watches 3rd degree LA readiness
11:00 - Passed 1' astern of Swedish oiler. 'Fearless' investigating
12:00 - Position 61º 56'N, 15º 28'W
12:00 - 1st part of starboard to 4th degree readiness. Remainder Pipe Down
12:45 - Fearless detached to investigate merchant vessel
14:00 - Emergency party secure AX hatches
16:38 - Fury detached to investigate
19:00 - All ships in sight Renown, Fury
20:00 - Position 62º 30'N, 16º 40'W
20:15 - commenced normal Zig Zag
20:30 - Night Action Stations
21:00 - Assumed 3rd degree of readiness
21:50 - ceased Zig Zag
22:20 - Destroyers took station astern
Monday 1939-09-11
At: Sea 04:00 - Port watch 3rd degree of readiness
07:00 - commenced Zig Zag No. 11. "Renown" opened 24'
08:00 - Position 63º 15'N, 11º 34'W
08:00 - Assumed 4th degree of readiness
09:45 - 15" and 5.5" control parties close up
10:35 - commenced 15" sub calibre fire
10:50 - commenced 5.5" sub calibre fire
11:40 - completed firings
12:00 - Position 62º 34'N, 12º 55'W
12:26 - negative Zig Zag close to "Renown". "Return to Scapa"
13:40 - commenced Zig Zag NO. 11
18:57 - detached "Fearless" to search for boats of SS "Kirby" sunk by submarine
20:00 - Position 61º 29'N, 10º 24'W
20:30 - Night Action Stations
21:05 - 3rd degree of readiness. Prepare out PVs
21:30 - ceased Zig Zag
Tuesday 1939-09-12
From: Sea
To: Scapa
At: Scapa 04:00 - 1st part port to 3rd degree readiness
08:00 - Position 59º 12'N, 04º 24'W
08:30 - ceased Zig Zag
08:51 - Commenced HA firings
09:05 - Completed HA firings
09:24 - Full calibre firings
10:17 - Completed firings
11:10 - course & speed as requisite for entering harbour. In PVs.
11:37 - Passed gate
12:00 - Stop
12:12 - Came to port anchor in 17 fthms veered to 8 shackles and secured. Steam at 4 hours notice.
13:30 - 15 ERAs 5th class joined
16:50 - Oiler "Wardiwan" secured alongside
17:00 - Recreation parties landed
17:10 - PT on the Quarterdeck
18:25 - "Leeward" secured alongside
18:30 - 2nd part starboard work main derrick. Hoist Captain's MB and motor skiff.
18:40 - "D164" secured alongside
19:00 - Recreation parties returned
Wednesday 1939-09-13
At: Scapa 06:00 - Hands fall in, employed rigging stages on ship's side and washing down aloft
06:25 - Oiler "Wardiwan" slipped from port side
07:55 - HA guns crews and control parties close up
08:25 - Both watches of hands was ship's side and wash down aloft
08:55 - "Cardiff" entered harbour
09:00 - S1 and S6 guns crews to drill. Starboard spotting tops crews close up
09:50 - 5.5" Director's crew to drill
11:05 - Communications ratings to PT on Quarterdeck
11:15 - Work main derrick. Hoisted out 2nd launch. Embarked 100 bags potatoes, 1702 lbs cabbage
13:15 - Hands employed washing ship's side
16:00 - Evening Quarters
16:30 - "Renown" anchored
17:00 - Stokers' Evening Quarters. Voluntary PT classes to Quarterdeck
18:30 - Darken ship
18:40 - Drifter "North Haven" secured alongside
19:10 - 2nd part port watch rig cinema
Thursday 1939-09-14
From: Scapa
To: Loch Ewe
At: Scapa 00:20 - Drifter "North Haven" left for "Rodney"
01:00 - Drifter "North Haven" secured alongside
05:15 - "Calcutta" sailed
08:25 - Both watches employed cleaning ship
09:20 - Working parties left ship to salvage 2nd picket boat
11:00 - HA guns crews and control parties to?dinner?
11:55 - HA guns crews and control parties close up
13:15 - Both watches of hands prepare for sea. Work main derrick
13:45 - "P164" secured alongside
15:14 - "P164" proceeded
15:15 - SS "Ardchattan" secured. Embarked 100 gals of petrol
17:00 - Duty patrol work main derrick. Voluntary PT on Quarterdeck. Received 50gals MVO and 200 gals petrol
18:50 - Cable party and special sea duty men close up
19:19 - weighed
19:31 - pointed 085º
19:41 - course & speed as requisite for leaving harbour. 12 knots
20:07 - passed gate 20.12 - Dropped PVs
20:37 - Sea duty men close up
21:00 - Night Action Stations
21:25 - 3rd degree of readiness
23:51 - 50 fthms shallowing
Friday 1939-09-15
From: Scapa
To: Loch Ewe
At: Loch Ewe 00:40 - 50 fthms deepening
03:50 - port watch closed up in 3rd degree LA readiness
05:00 - hands of 2nd port watch not closed up. Prepare PVs
06:49 - In PVs, course & speed as requisite for entering harbour
07:10 - passed gate
07:27 - stop 07.35 - came to port anchor in 23 fathoms, veered to 8 shackles
08:45 - "Somali" entered harbour. 15th Division left harbour.
08:55 - Both watches of hands clean ship
10:20 - "Sharpshooter" left harbour
11:20 - Clear lower deck. Fortnightly payments
12:00 - Hands who were closed up at 3rd degree of readiness during the night to make and mend clothes
13:15 - Engine room Chs and Pos football teams landed
14:00 - RMs football team of the watch landed
16:00 - Evening Quarters
16:35 - "Birchol" slipped from alongside
17:00 - PT on the Quarterdeck
18:55 - Drifter "Marigold" secured alongside
19:20 - "Nelson" sailed
Saturday 1939-09-16
At: Loch Ewe 05:45 - Both watches scrub decks. Work main derrick. Hoist out motor skiff.
08:05 - Both watches clean ship
09:25 - "Eskimo", "Faulkenor" and "Firedrake" entered harbour.
09:55 - Drifter "Leeward" secured alongside
13:30 - Recreational leave to Port Watch 1330 - 1900
14:30 - "Leeward" secured alongside
14:40 - "Leeward" left for ?Athea?
14:50 - Drifter "Marigold" PD81 secured alongside
16:00 - Evening Quarters
16:20 - "Marigold" left for ?Anthea? with libertymen
17:00 - Recreational parties returned to ship in "Marigold"
17:50 - "Marigold" to Faulkenor with provisions
18:00 - Starboard watch work main derrick
19:00 - Darken ship
Sunday 1939-09-17
At: Loch Ewe 05:45 - Hands scrub decks
06:40 - Dress of Day No. 2s
07:00 - "Nelson"and "Ark Royal" entered harbour
07:40 - Quarters clean guns
08:05 - Both watches clean ship. Work main derrick
09:05 - Divisions
09:30 - 1st Lord of Admiralty & CinC Home Fleet visited ship
09:55 - Bedouin and Tartar proceeded to sea
10:05 - 1st Lord of Admiralty left ship
10:10 - Church in starboard battery
11:10 - Unrig church
14:40 - "Ark Royal" proceeded to sea
18:30 - 2nd port hoist boats
19:50 - Cot case to the Isle of Jersey. Duty hands rig cinema
23:00 - Duty hands unrig cinema
Monday 1939-09-18
At: Loch Ewe 07:15 - Shipwrights working party landed
07:55 - Quarters clean guns
08:25 - Both Watches paint ship’s side
08:45 - Sports Ground working party landed
09:10 - Drifter Leeward secured alongside
09:15 - Marigold secured alongside
10:30 - Cloud secured alongside
11:50 - Working parties returned to the ship
Tuesday 1939-09-19
At: Loch Ewe 06:15 - Both watches scrub decks. Work main derrick. Hoist out 1st Launch, SEO's motorboat, Motor Skiff and Admiral's gig
09:05 - "Eskimo" sailed
09:05 - Divisions and Prayers. PT on quarterdeck.
09:40 - Both watches paint ship
10:15 - "Ark Royal" entered harbour
11:10 - 1 cot case discharged Isle of Jersey
11:15 - Small fire in Lamp Room – no damage
11:40 - "Faulknor", "Tartar", "Sharpshooter" and "Hazard" left harbour
13:05 - FX and Royal Marine football teams landed
13:15 - Both watches employed painting ship. 15" Spotting Tables to Drill.
13:45 - Starboard 5.5" Spotting Tables crew to drill.
14:05 - Port 5.5" Spotting Tables crew to drill.
14:30 - H.A. Guns crews of 1st Part Port close up in 4th degree of readiness.
16:00 - Recreational leave to Starboard Watch less anti-aircraft ratings 1600 to 1900
17:00 - Engine Room Evening Quarters. Miscellaneous ratings to PT on quarterdeck.
19:00 - Trawler "Avonstream" (A 327) secured alongside.
Wednesday 1939-09-20
From: Loch Ewe
To: Scapa
At: Loch Ewe 06:15 - Both watches clean ship
07:50 - Landed Royal Marine Field Training party
08:30 - "Leeward" proceeded to sea.
09:00 - Divisions. PT on quarterdeck
09:45 - Both watches clean ship
13:15 - Both watches of hands prepare for sea.
14:25 - Recreational parties landed.
14:40 - 2nd Starboard Watch work main derrick
15:05 - Close range weapons close up for exercise
15:50 - "Eskimo" and "Tartar" entered harbour
16:45 - Starboard Watch work main derrick
17:30 - Picket boat landed fleet mail
17:45 - "Hazard" entered harbour
18:00 - Darken ship
18:35 - Cable Party and special dutymen close up
18:54 - Shortened in to 3 shackles
19:04 - Weighed
19:07 - Pointed to 300°
19:13 - Course and speed as requisite for leaving harbour
19:32 - Passed gate
19:33 - Speed 10 knots
19:37 - Dropped paravanes
19:46 - Course 006°
19:55 - Speed 16 knots. Greenstone Point bearing 064°, Glenda Point bearing 159°
20:00 - Position 57° 56'N 005° 40.3'W (shore fix)
20:56 - Tiumpan Head bearing 290°, Sth Ear bearing 058°
21:14 - Altered course to 356°
21:36 - Tiumpan Head bearing 255°
22:08 - Altered course to 021° to avoid fishing vessel. Sth Ear bearing 128°
22:16 - Resumed course 356°
22:19 - Tiumpan Head bearing 228°. Sth? Ear? bearing 158 ½°
22:51 - Altered course to 016° to avoid fishing vessel
22:56 - Resumed course 356°. Sounded 53 fathoms.
23:10 - Altered course to 010°. Sounded 48 fathoms
23:18 - Depth 44 fathoms
Thursday 1939-09-21
From: Loch Ewe
To: Scapa
At: Scapa 00:45 - Depth 44 fathoms
00:55 - Crossed 50 fathom line
01:03 - Altered course to 094°
03:12 - Altered course to 120°
04:00 - Port Watch to 3rd degree of readiness
04:12 - Altered course to 146°. Sighted Dunnet Head Lighthouse 146°
04:48 - Dunnet Head Lighthouse bearing 147 ½° . Tor Ness Lighthouse bearing 127°
05:30 - Tor Ness bearing 013,° Dunnet Head bearing 150°. Speed 14 knots
05:43 - Altered course to 095°
05:50 - Dunnet Head bearing 171° - Thickening up
06:19 - Sighted Stroma bearing 120 - 130°
06:23 - Stroma? bearing 055°, Stroma bearing 151°
06:33 - Altered course to 030°
06:38 - Speed 10 knots
06:41 - Altered course to 000°
06:54 - Altered course to 270°
06:56 - Special Sea Dutymen close up
07:02 - In paravanes
07:09 - Cantick Head bearing 288°, Hoxa Head bearing 021°
07:10 - Altered course to 045°
07:12 - Speed 15 knots. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour
07:27 - Passed gate
07:51 - Stop
07:56 - Came to starboard anchor in 17 fathoms veered to 8 shackles and secured
09:40 - Both watches clean ship
09:50 - K.Y. 232 secured alongside. Embarked 100 bags potatoes, 3000lbs meat, 8 bags mail.
10:00 - Sub Lt. Iago RNVR joined ship from Voltaire.
11:00 - Communication Division PT on quarterdeck
12:50 - K.Y. 232 ("Plough") secured alongside
13:15 - Both watches work main derrick. Hoist out boats
15:10 - Oiler "?Mentonal?" secured alongside
18:00 - 2nd part of Port Watch hoist boats. Darken ship, rig cinema.
19:50 - 2nd part Port work main derrick
Friday 1939-09-22
From: Scapa
To: Sea
At: Scapa 06:20 - "Calcutta" sailed
06:40 - "Enterprise" sailed
06:45 - Warrant Engineer J Stedman R.N. discharged. 1 rating discharged.
07:20 - "Express" sailed
07:55 - 2nd Port work main derrick
08:25 - Both watches prepare for sea
08:55 - "Delhi" entered harbour
09:05 - Divisions
09:20 - "Cardiff" entered harbour
09:25 - Special Sea Dutymen and Cable Party to stations
09:50 - Weighed
09:55 - Pointed 090°
10:03 - Course and speed as requisite for leaving harbour
10:29 - Passed gate
10:32 - Course 160°, speed 10 knots
10:37 - Out paravanes
10:43 - Speed 16 knots
11:03 - Altered course to 090°
11:15 - Skerries Light abeam to Starboard 1.4'
11:22 - Altered course to 055°
11:25 - Lowther Rock bearing 283°, Holborn Head bearing 026°
11:30 - 4th Degree L.A. Readiness
11:40 - Old Head 258 ½ , Copinsay Lighthouse 016°
12:00 - Position: 58° 48'N 002° 37.7'W (based on land bearings)
12:20 - H.A. Armament closed up
12:30 - Auskerry 334, Mull Head 304, Copinsay 281
12:52 - Copinsay 262, Ausberry 302
13:00 - Altered course to 070°. Commenced ZigZag No 5
13:03 - Auskerry Lighthouse 291, Burgh Head 310 ½
13:20 - Emergency Altered course to 030° "Fortune" in contact with submarine to starboard
13:28 - Altered course to 040°, speed 18 knots
13:30 - 3rd degree of readiness
13:31 - Altered course to 070°. Continue Zig Zag No. 5
13:43 - Speed 19 ¼ knots
14:15 - Crossed 50 fathom line
14:18 - Speed 18 knots, Zig zag no. 5 ???????
15:21 - Emergency Altered course to 130°. "Firedrake" investigating contact to port
15:22 - Altered course to 080°
15:27 - Speed 19 knots
15:30 - Altered course to 040° continue Zig Zag No. 5
17:53 - Speed 20 knots
18:16 - Negative zig zag. Course 070° 16 knots
18:21 - Altered course to 120°
18:30 - Darken ship
18:38 - Altered course to 100°, speed 18 knots
18:42 - Course 080°
18:50 - Speed 22 knots
19:00 - Altered course to 100°
19:06 - Altered course to 120°
19:15 - Altered course to 140°
19:18 - Altered course to 170°
19:23 - Altered course to 020°, speed 18 knots
19:30 - Speed 16 knots
19:37 - Speed 15 knots
20:00 - Position 59°27'N 001°06'E (estimated)
20:15 - Altered course to 045°, speed 16 knots
20:30 - Action Stations
20:43 - Speed 15 knots. Altered course to 060°
21:00 - 3rd degree of readiness
22:20 - Altered course to 156°
Saturday 1939-09-23
From: Sea
To: Scapa
At: Scapa 05:15 - Action Stations
06:00 - Altered course to 090°
06:23 - Altered course to 275°
06:30 - Port Watch to 3rd Degree of Readiness
06:41 - Altered course to 277°
06:44 - Speed 16 knots
06:48 - Speed 18 knots
08:00 - Position: 57° 58'N 002° 38'W (star observation at 0540)
09:00 - Altered course to 285°, speed 20 knots
10:25 - Altered course to 280°
10:30 - Altered course to 275°
11:19 - Emergency altered course to 340°. "Express" sighted object believed to be a mine to port.
11:23 - Altered course to 275°
11:35 - Speed 22 knots
12:00 - Position: 58° 07'N, 000° 19'E
12:30 - Negative Zig Zag. Course 275°, speed 20 knots
12:45 - Altered course to 283°. Commenced Zig Zag No. 15
13:05 - Position: 58° 09'N, 0° 20'W (sun observation)
13:30 - Explosion reported 145° - 4000x
14:10 - "Fortune", "Firedrake" detached to search
15:30 - Crossed 50 fathom line
16:18 - Speed 18 ½ knots
16:26 - Altered course to 040° - C in C's Screen contact to port
16:35 - Altered course to 283°
16:40 - Speed 20 knots
16:45 - Commenced Zig Zag No. 15
17:01 - Negative Zig Zag. Course 283°
17:02 - Altered course to 360°
17:05 - Speed 18 knots
17:07 - Altered course to 283°
17:15 - Commenced Zig zag No 15, speed 20 knots
17:18 - Sighted land bearing 255°
17:39 - Altered course to 240°
17:43 - Duncansby bearing 301°, Ness Head bearing 267°
17:48 - Altered course to 283°
17:53 - Altered course to 328°
17:56 - Duncansby bearing 309 ½
18:01 - Altered course to 298°
18:07 - Speed 22 knots. Altered course to 308°, Ness Head bearing 268°
18:11 - Duncansby bearing 308°, Ness Head bearing 250°
18:15 - Altered course to 318°
18:20 - Altered course to 328°
18:34 - Speed 20 knots
18:38 - Speed 18 knots. Open order
18:48 - Skerries Lighthouse to starboard 1.5 miles
18:54 - Speed 15 knots
18:54 - Altered course to 340°
19:11 - Speed 10 knots. In paravanes
19:14 - Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour
19:33 - Passed Gate
19:59 - Stop
20:07 - Came to starboard anchor in 17 fathoms (sr), veered to 8 shackles and secured
21:05 - Oiler secured alongside
21:50 - Discharged to H.M.H.S. "Aba" 1 A.B. (cot case)
Sunday 1939-09-24
At: Scapa 06:10 - Roman Catholic Church Party landed
06:15 - Hands scrub decks
06:53 - Oiler slipped from Port Side
07:40 - Quarters clean guns
09:40 - Divisions. Admiral walked round divisions and addressed ship's company on quarterdeck
10:15 - Church in Starboard Battery
13:15 - Emergency Party rig for provisioning
13:30 - Recreational Leave to Port Watch (Less A.A. armament) 1330 to 1930
14:20 - Recreational Libertymen landed
15:25 - H.A. Long and Close Range weapons close up. Air Raid Warning Yellow.
16:06 - Evening Quarters
16:15 - "Fame" and "Foresight" left harbour
17:00 - Duty Hands up provisions
17:55 - R.C. Service in Chapel
18:30 - Darken ship
19:30 - Work main derrick. Hoist C.M.B and S.E.O.'s M.B
19:53 - "Ellen" M secured portside. Commence provisioning
Monday 1939-09-25
From: Scapa
To: Sea
At: Scapa 01:45 - "Ellen M" slipped
02:26 - Provision Party secured
06:15 - H.A. Armament closed up
06:45 - Prepare for sea
07:20 - 2nd Starboard and Cable Party of Starboard Watch to breakfast. Undarken ship
08:42 - Course and speed requisite for leaving harbour
08:45 - Cable Party of Starboard Watch and special sea dutymen close up
08:55 - Shortened in to 3 shackles
09:24 - Weighed and pointed 080°
10:08 - Passed Gate
10:10 - Course 165°, speed 10 knots
10:18 - Dropped paravanes
10:20 - Speed 15 knots
10:25 - Speed 18 knots
10:25 - 3rd Degree H.A., 4th Degree L.A.
10:30 - Speed 20 knots
10:35 - Speed 22 knots
10:42 - Altered course to 148°
10:45 - Muckle Skerry Lighthouse bearing 055°,1.7'
10:52 - Speed 25 knots
11:00 - Commenced Zig zag No 11
11:02 - Speed 26.5 knots
11:14 - Destroyers form screening diagram 7A
11:32 - Ness Head bearing 283°, Duncansby bearing 313°
11:40 - Negative zig zag, course 148°
11:45 - Altered course to 100°
11:45 - Noss Head bearing 296°, ?Warnoss? Hills bearing 274°
11:50 - Commenced Zig zag No 11
12:00 - Position: 58° 18.5'N 002° 18'W (shore fix)
15:25 - Speed 20 knots. Condenser Trouble
15:40 - Inc 150 revs – Stopped Starboard outer shaft
16:50 - Negative Zig zag
17:00 - Altered course to 360° Commenced Zig Zag No. 11
17:52 - Altered course to 360° Neg Zig Zag
17:55 - Altered course to 340°
18:17 - Altered course to 115°
18:23 - Speed 22 knots. Commenced Zig zag No. 11
19:20 - Position: 58° 14.5'N, 1° 48.5'E (observation)
19:30 - Night Action Stations
20:00 - Assumed 3rd degree of readiness, 17 knots. Position: 58° 10'N 002° 11'E (1920 observation)
Tuesday 1939-09-26
From: Sea
To: Scapa
At: Scapa 02:00 - Night Action Stations (Enemy Report)
02:28 - Negative Zig Zag. Altered course to 140°, speed 20 knots
02:35 - Altered course to 180°, speed 15 knots
02:48 - Altered course to 280°
02:53 - 3rd Degree of Readiness
03:00 - Commence Zig Zag No. 11 – 17 knots
06:00 - Obs: 57° 26'N, 3° 35'W
06:30 - Action Stations
06:37 - Speed 20 knots
06:55 - 3rd Degree of Readiness L.A and H.A.
08:00 - Position: 57°33'N 002°31'E (star observation)
08:55 - Negative zig zag. Altered course to 280°
09:01 - Altered course to 070°. Commenced Zig Zag No. 11
09:40 - 1st Degree H.A. Readiness
09:48 - Emergency Altered course to 240°. ""Fame"" contact.
09:59 - Altered course to 330°
10:04 - Altered course to 020°
10:14 - Altered course to 340°
10:20 - Aircraft sighted 135°
10:23 - Altered course to 040°
10:29 - Altered course to 080°
10:30 - Commence Zig Zag No. 11
10:55 - Negative Zig Zag. Course 080°
11:00 - Altered course to 280°
11:03 - Sighted Warship 060°
11:10 - Altered course to 010°
11:20 - Altered course to 340°
11:30 - Altered course to 280°
11:44 - Altered course to 340°
11:53 - Altered course to 320°
12:00 - Altered course to 280°. Position: 58° 03'N 002° 15'E (estimated)
12:06 - Altered course to 130°
12:15 - Commenced Zig Zag No. 15 (Sp m/g 18)
12:25 - Aircraft sighted Green 40°
12:30 - Alarm to Arms
12:35 - Sighted "Nelson" and "Rodney" bearing 176° - 20'
12:50 - Altered course to 150°
12:53 - Altered course to 130°
12:55 - Altered course to 230°
13:04 - Altered course to 260°, speed 24 knots
13:25 - Altered course to 285°, speed 20 knots
13:30 - Altered course to 045°
13:39 - Altered course to 085°
13:44 - Altered course to 170°
13:51 - Speed 24 knots
14:03 - Altered course to 200°
14:07 - Altered course to 230°
14:12 - Speed 20 knots
14:22 - Opened fire on aircraft
14:41 - Altered course to 285°
14:48 - Bomb dropped close abreast bridge to port
14:58 - Altered course to 315°
15:08 - Altered course to 285°
15:45 - Speed 22 knots
16:00 - Commenced Zig Zag No. 15 20 knots. 3rd Degree L.A. readiness. 1st Degree H.A. readiness
17:49 - 2551/3 T.B. 2561/3 Error 1 low
18:04 - Altered course to 275°, speed 22 knots. Continue zig zag.
18:44 - Altered course to 263°. Negative zig zag.
18:50 - Altered course to 233°
18:55 - Altered course to 285°
19:00 - Commenced Zig Zag No. 15
19:30 - Altered course to 040°
19:35 - Speed 20 knots
19:36 - Altered course to 285°
19:43 - Altered course to 010°
19:51 - Altered course to 285°
20:00 - Explosion to port. Position: 58°12'N 000°58'W (1900 star observation).
20:05 - Altered course to 275°, speed 22 knots. 3rd degree of readiness
20:40 - Altered course to 285°, speed 20 knots
20:50 - Commenced Zig Zag No. 15
21:30 - Altered course to 320° to avoid steamer
21:33 - Resumed course
21:42 - Picked up Zig Zag Commenced 2130
21:50 - Speed 22 knots
22:37 - Sighted Noss Head Lighthouse bearing 288° - 23'
22:50 - Speed 20 knots
22:58 - Noss Head Lighthouse bearing 292°, Duncansby Head bearing 315 ½°
23:10 - Noss Head bearing 290°. Duncansby bearing 319°
23:11 - Altered course to 328°, speed 18 knots. Negative zig zag.
23:41 - Noss Head bearing 265°, Duncansby bearing 315°
Wednesday 1939-09-27
At: Scapa 00:25 - Skerries Lighhouse to starboard 1.5'
00:33 - Speed 15 knots
00:37 - Speed 10 knots, Open Order
00:40 - In paravanes. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour
01:02 - Passed Gate
01:25 - Stop
01:30 - Came to starboard anchor in 17 fathoms (sr), veered to 8 shackles and secured
01:45 - "Repulse" anchored
01:50 - 1st Part Starboard work main derrick. Hoist out 2nd Launch and C.M.B.
06:15 - 2nd Part Starboard Work Main Derrick. Hoist out 1st Picket Boat and Barge
06:40 - "Ark Royal" flew off aircraft
07:10 - "Calcutta" entered harbour
07:15 - Oiler "Miscol" secured alongside
08:30 - "Somali" left harbour
11:00 - Quarters Clean Guns
11:40 - "Dragon" sailed
12:00 - Make and Mend Clothes. Stand fast H.A. Guns Crews and control parties
12:50 - Drifter "Sealight" secured alongside with sperm oil and turpentine
13:00 - "Miscol" slipped from port side. Drifter "Sealight" slipped.
14:30 - Launch with Duty Hands to "Bettona" for provisions.
15:30 - Canteen Boat "Muriel" secured alongside with stores
16:00 - Recreational Leave to Starboard Watch 1600 to 1900
16:00 - Evening quarters
16:25 - Cooks to P.T. on the quarterdeck.
17:00 - Miscellaneous ratings to P.T. on quarterdeck.
Thursday 1939-09-28
At: Scapa 06:15 - Both Watches Clean ship. Work Main Derrick
07:10 - "Effingham" entered harbour
07:40 - "Isle of Ornsey" secured alongside
09:10 - "Isle of Ornsey" slipped
09:40 - Drifter "Plough" secured alongside
11:07 - "Newcastle" entered harbour
12:45 - H.A. Armament to Make and Mend clothes
13:30 - Hands fall in for Drill
14:00 - Relief H.A. Armament closed up. Remainder of hands fall in on forecastle
14:15 - "Renown" sailed for exercises
15:30 - Boys hiking party to clean
16:00 - Recreational Leave to Port Watch 1600 to 1900. Canteen Leave to 100 Ratings 1600 to 1900
16:30 - H.M.S."Hebe" entered harbour
17:45 - "Plough" secured alongside. Disembarked 2 cases Electrical Instruments
18:30 - "Plough" proceeded
Friday 1939-09-29
At: Scapa 01:00 - Starboard Watch H.A. Guns Crew and Control Parties close up
06:00 - H.A. Guns Crews and Control Parties close up.
06:15 - Hands fall in. Clean ship
07:55 - Quarters Clean Guns
08:00 - 1st Part Port Work Main Derrick
09:35 - For Exercise, Close range H.A. weapons close up
11:00 - Communications Division. To P.T. on quarterdeck.
11:20 - Clear Lower Deck – Fortnightly Payment
12:00 - "Robert Middleton" secured alongside
13:15 - Both Watches Store Ship
13:30 - "Rodney" entered harbour
14:30 - Navigational Working Party left ship for shore. 2 Cot cases left ship for H.M.H.S. "Aba"
15:00 - Discharged to "Voltaire" 22 Ratings
15:45 - "Belfast" entered harbour
16:00 - Recreational Leave to Starboard Watch 1600 to 1900
16:00 - Canteen Leave to 100 ratings 1600 to 1900
17:30 - Duty Part of Watch Store Ship
17:48 - Store Ship "Robert Middleton" slipped
18:00 - Drifter "Plough" alongside with slops
18:30 - Canteen Boat Muriel alongside with Canteen Stores
19:30 - 2nd Part, Work Main Derrick
19:35 - Working party returned
Saturday 1939-09-30
To: Exercises
At: Scapa 00:00 - Untimed Note: "Had occasion to admonish Lieutenant Adrian Lyon Kirkus, Royal Navy, as on 23rd August 1939, when called upon to do so he failed to return to the proper authority or to account for the sum of twenty pounds, the property of His Majesty, with which he had been entrusted by virtue of his employment in charge of the drifter ""Leeward"". The money was subsequently returned by Lieutenant Kirkus." (Signed) AL Kirkus, Lieutenant RN
07:15 - Midshipman V.H. Kelsey R.N. joined from Vindictive
07:45 - Cable party and special sea dutymen close up.
08:16 - Weighed
08:19 - Pointed
08:20 - Course and speed as requisite for leaving harbour
08:26 - 3rd Degree H.A. 4th Degree L.A. readiness
08:45 - Kane of Hay bearing 062°, Dunnet Head bearing 145.5°
08:50 - Passed Gate. Co. 182° 16 knots
08:51 - Speed 17 knots
08:53 - Altered course to 190°
08:57 - Altered course to 240°
09:10 - Browns Ness bearing 277°, Cantick Head bearing 353°. Altered course to 260°
09:25 - Altered course to 200° 15 knots
09:46 - Altered course to 340°
10:00 - Speed 12 knots
10:04 - Commenced H.A. firings
10:09 - Altered course to 180°
10:28 - Altered course to 340°
10:30 - Speed 16 knots
10:33 - Speed 12 knots
10:39 - Cantick Head bearing 039°, Tor Ness bearing 349°
10:45 - Altered course to 055° 16 knots. Completed firing
11:07 - Altered course to 003°. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour
11:18 - Passed Gate
11:40 - Stop
11:45 - Came to starboard anchor in 17 fathoms (sr) veered to 6 shackles and secured
12:10 - Drifter "Plough" secured alongside
13:35 - Weighed
13:37 - Pointed 080°
13:40 - Course and speed as requisite for leaving harbour
14:08 - Passed Gate. Course 185°, speed 10 knots
14:12 - Out paravanes
14:20 - Altered course to 240°
14:27 - Speed 15 knots
14:37 - Altered course to 260°, speed 16 knots
14:45 - Tor Ness bearing 322°, Binns Ness bearing 044°
15:02 - Altered course to 326°
15:25 - Altered course to 070° Contact port
15:28 - Resumed course.
15:40 - Altered course to 040°
15:45 - Action Stations
15:48 - Kane of Hoy bearing 074°, Tor Ness bearing 128°
15:58 - Altered course to 270°
16:02 - Speed 20 knots
16:07 - Speed 23 knots
16:13 - Speed 25 knots. Course and speed as requisite for 15" full caliber firing
16:28 - Dunnet Head bearing 137° ?Marick Man? bearing 059°
16:35 - Opened fire 15"
16:50 - Cease Fire. Course and speed as requisite for 15" full caliber firing by "Repulse"
17:10 - Lull Sk bearing 294°, Stack Sk bearing 271°. Course and speed as requisite for 5.5" full caliber firing
18:10 - Completed practices, Course 090°, speed 20 knots
18:15 - Stack Sk bearing 304°, Sull Sk bearing 335°
18:36 - Altered course to 020°
18:41 - Altered course to 090°
19:57 - Speed 20 knots. Altered course to 080°
20:08 - Speed 15 knots
20:12 - Altered course to 045°
20:17 - Speed 10 knots
20:22 - In paravanes. Course and speed as requisite for entering harbour
20:43 - Passed Gate
21:08 - Stop
21:13 - Came to starboard anchor in 17 fathoms (sr) veered to 8 shackles and secured
21:45 - Drifter "Plough" secured alongside
| 