Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

Staffordshire Sentinel 

Thursday 3 April 1913

The Late Miss Marsh-Caldwell - Funeral at Talke.

Linley Hall, Talke, 'which has been the scene of many happy gatherings in past years, never wore a more mounful aspect than on Wednesday, when the remains of the late Miss Marsh-Caldwell, the last of a family of three sisters who had occupied the hall for many years, were taken away to their last resting place. The deceased lady died on Saturday afternoon in her 95th year, and she was the oldest resident in the district.The large number of persons who attended to pay a last token of respect to the deceased, and the numerous wreaths, bore testimony to the high esteem in which she was held. Her many acts of kindness and genial disposition had endeared Miss Caldwell to all with whom she came in contact.
The cortege started on it journey to Talke Parish Church about 2.30pm, and was watched by a large number of people on the route. The mourners were: General Frederick Heath R.E. (nephew) and Mrs Heath, Mrs Isacc, Mr John Loring, nephew (Doddington), Mr Cuthbert Heath, Captain Duke Crofton R.N., Mr and Mrs Neill Loring (Market Drayton), Mrs Broadwood, Admiral Herbert Heath, Mrs R Crofton, and Mr Raymond Heath. 

Others who attended were: Mr Barnard, Mr and Mrs Reginald N. Wood (Bignall End), Miss Baker-Wilbraham (Rode Hall), Miss C. Wilbraham (Cresswell Shaw), Mr and Mrs E. Harper, Mr T. Rigby, and a number of the tenants and employees of the Linley estate.

The Ancient Order of Shepherds (Talke-o'-th'-Hill Lodge), of the female branch of which society the deceased lady had been a member since its formation, was represented by Bros. William Edwards (secretary), Edwin Martin (treasurer), Samual Ashmore, W.M. William Chadwick, J. Mollart, J.Sharples, Wm. Lawton, and Benjamin Norbury, and the Female Lodge (No.2392) by Mrs Hancock and Mr H.Broad (trustees) and Mrs W. Edwards and Mrs B.Norbury.

The church officials present were: Talke Parish Church: Mr Frank Jenkinson ( church-warden), Messrs George Warrilow, Thomas Blake, R. Williams, and Frank Wharton (sides-men); St.Saviour's Church, Talke: Messrs John T. Crimes of Lawton, and Robert Naylor (deputy church-wardens), Messrs Frank Hayes, Henry Wright, William Dale, and Thomas Sharman, sen. (sides-men); St.Martin's Mission Church, Talke Pitts; Mr  Crank (sidesman). 

On arrival of the body at the church, a short service was held, conducted by the Rev. J.H.L. Edwards (rector), who also carried out the obsequies at the interment of the remains in the family vault.The body was contained in a shell which was enclosed in a polished English oak coffin, with brass furniture and breast plate. 

The wreathes.

Beautiful wreaths, and other floral tributes were sent by General Frederick Heath and Mrs Heath, Mrs Isaac, Captain Duke Crofton R.N. and family, Mr John Loring and Mrs Loring, Mr and Mrs Arthur Loring and Misses Loring, Major and Mrs Caldwell-Crofton, Mrs R. Crofton, Katherine Lady Baker Wilbraham, Miss Baker-Wilbraham, Mr and Mrs Raymond Heath, Rear-Admiral H.L.Heath, Miss Edith Isaac, Mr and Mrs Neill Loring, the Rev.J.H.L. Edwards and Mrs Lilwall Edwards, Mrs Broadwood, Mr and Mrs E. Harper, Miss Fletcher, Linley Hall household staff and employees, St.Saviour's Church lady workers, and women's meeting teachers and scholars of St.Saviour's School, Talke, churchwardens and sidesmen of St.Saviour's Churhc, Talke, Mrs W.H. Tansley and tenants of the Linley estate.

The undertakers were Messrs. Jones, Moss and Co., of Newcastle. The pall-bearers were selected from the Linley Hall staff and the tenants of the Linley estate.

Northwich Guardian

Friday 4 July 1913

Legal Notice 

Miss Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell, Deceased - Pursuant of 22 and 23 Vic., cap. 35. All persons having any claims or demands against the estate of Miss Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell, late of Linley Wood, Talke, Staffordshire, who died on the 29 March 1913, are required to send full particulars, in writing, of their claims to the undersigned before the 30th July next, after which date the Executors will distribute the assets of the deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, of whose claims they shall then have had notice.
Dated 19th June 1913

Barnard & Taylor, 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Solicitors and Executors.

Stafffordshire Sentinel
Friday 11 July 1913

Garden Party at Talke.

Welcome to Brigadier-General Heath 

The annual sale or work and garden fete was held in the Rectory Grounds, Talke, on Thursday afternoon. The object of this endeavour was to assist in providing the stipend for the lay reader at St.Martin's Mission, Talke Pits. 

The weather was dull, and threatening at the opening, and somewhat affected the attendance, which was not up to the average of former years. 

The company included:- The Rev. J.H.L. Edwards (Rector of Talke) and Mrs Edwards, Brigadier-General Heath and Mrs Crofton (Constance?) Heath of Linley Wood. Mrs R.N.Wood and Miss Marjorie Wood, Bignall End, Mrs Goodwin, Red Heath, Silverdale, Mrs Pauli (Audley Vicarage), Mrs and Miss Henshaw, Dr Jefferson, Mr and Mrs F. Jenkinson and the Rev. F. Perry.

The Rector, having referred to the object in view, extended a welcome to Brigadier-General Heath and Mrs Crofton (Constance?) Heath, who had come to reside among them. He also referred to the great assistance of the late Misses Marsh-Caldwell and their generous benefactions to the parish.
Mrs Constance Heath then formally declared the sale of work open, and a vote of thanks to her was passed, on the proposition of Mr Jenkinson, seconded by the Rev.F.Perry.

Brigadier-General Heath in replying to the vote, incidentally mentioned that when his military duties permitted, he hoped to settle down and take an interest in the work of the parish.   -- - - 

 15^th August 1913

The Scotsman

Wednesday 20 August 1913

Chauffeur. - Wanted at once, careful driver; previous experience of private service; age about 28. Apply by letter or personally between 7 and 8pm to General Heath-Caldwell, 10 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh

Shamal started about 3.30 so we put into Mugu bay, and anchored, although there was very little shelter there.  Benskin arrived in the Pelorus cutter & tied up astern.  We spent next day and night there as well, as coal was beginning to run short.  Monday afternoon saw the hook dropped in Linga. 

Ships Company of HMS Miner, 1913 - Persian Gulf - CHHC in middle

The Philomel was already there and Pelorus arrived about five oclock.  We were to have left the next day but at the eleventh hour were told to wait for the mail which needless to say did not turn up.  Finally left for Basidu at four oclock and arrived in darkness at 7.30.

HMS Philomel - 1913 

Wednesday 8th January 1913  - HMS Miner 

Remained at Basidu all day expecting Minto.  Coaled in morning.  In the evening rode out about 8 miles on donkey in company with Shikari.  Only saw one gazzelle and he was up off and out of it before we were anywhere near him.  However I had a little exercise, and as it was a lovely evening I thoroughly enjoyed the ride back in the dark.

Thursday 9th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Minto arrived about one oclock followed closely by Karanja.  Left for Muscat about 6.00pm.  We got our mail but no letters from Kathleen.

Friday 10th January 1913 - HMS Miner

A fine day.  Chased a dhow off Musandam, as usual no rifles.  Passed through the whole in the wall (Fak al Asad Straits) about 10am.  A fine day though hazy.  Took a lat by Polaris in evening but it was about 40 miles out.  Course for Muscat SSE ¼ E.

Saturday 11th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Sighted land about 10am on port bow.  Took a mer alt which gave fairly good latitude.  Sighted Fahal Island about four pm.  Altered to S so it was a fairly good shot.  Anchored about 6.30pm.  Perseus and Minto in Muscat.  Dined in Perseus.  Shamal came on about 2.00am followed by quite a heavy swell which made things rather uncomfortable. (Fahal Island is a large rock just off the coast of Oman near Muscat.  Although the waters surrounding it are full of sharks, it was a very popular for place for diving in 1984 - JJHC).

Sunday 12th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Rolling like devil all the forenoon.  Finally laid out a stern anchor which made things a little better.  Shifted back into berth ahead of Hour of Bahr about two oclock. 

Afterwards landed with Boultbee of RIM and called on Major and Mrs Knox, then walked out to the green patch which consists of one or two gardens which are quite soothing to the eye. 

The local method of irrigation is quite interesting.  They have the usual scaffolding over the well with a sheave at the top and a roller at the bottom.  An ox is harnessed to the end of the fall and as he is pushed down a steep hill cut by the side of the well, he draws up a goatskin full of water.  As he stops at the bottom the spout is released automatically and the contents of the skin fall into the well.

At this part of the journal there is an address written in, presumably for reference.

J Sequira, Photographer, Camp Studies, Karachi.

Monday 13th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Minto hauled us up but the rise & fall was insufficient to get at the propellor.  Stayed ashore with the Knox's.  Mail arrived.  No letters.

Tuesday 14th,  Wednesday 15th, Thursday 16th. - HMS Miner

Sent wire to K, c/o King Hamilton & Co.  No reply up till Saturday.

Friday 17th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Tennis.

Saturday 18th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Sunday 19th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Tennis.  Lunch with Dr & Mrs Little.  Shamal blowing. Miner headed off pm.

Monday 20th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail arrived.  Letters as usual from Mother & Father, also one from Pincher.  Parcels include two excellent books and a letter from old Wharton.  Minto's are most inefficient and useless crowd I have encountered up to date.

From Longfellow. Tact.

Intelligence and courtesy not always are combined.

Sometimes in a wooden house, a golden room we find.

Man like it is to fall in sin

Friend like to dwell therein

Christ like is it for sin to greave

God like is it all sin to leave.

No letters or communication from Kathleen.  I suppose I must consider myself another victim added to the long list of broken hearts.  No papers this week except the Outlook which is like the celebrated egg of the curate, but is too rabid.

Tuesday 21st January 1913 - HMS Miner

Tennis in afternoon.  Bought up half  DeSousa's shop.  Dined and slept at Aganey.

Wednesday 22nd January 1913 - HMS Miner

Went off to ship about 10.00am.  No attempt made to rivet the rudder stops.  Put 14 tons of coal on focsle & rigged stage. 

Two men sent over from Minto flatly refused to risk their valuable lives.  Made various signals and sent several notes to Minto.  Finally they sent Marsh & some hands over and kedged closer in. 

B. Marsh on HMS Minto - 1913

Then I arose in my wroth & bearded the Father Christmas in his den.  He spluttered and fussed and sent for the Chief Engineer, and generally behaved in a foolish manner. 

However as a result we got the Wolfson & his merry men over & they made a start at the job, so at any rate I accomplished something.  I am afraid the Minto's are not quite straight.  Landed for some gear & dined on board. 

Glorious moonlight night.  It really is good to be alive on an evening like this. Spent half an hour after dinner building castles in Spain, mostly centring around K.  Somehow I am certain in my heart that she is true to me, although I admit appearances are against it.  But there must be some terrible mistake somewhere.  Anyhow it will all work out for the best.  I am certain of that.  I sent another telegram to her today but there is no answer so far. 

The Knox family have been very kind indeed, but somehow I am jolly glad to get on board again.  It is funny how one's ideas change.  Now if the Navy was all on a par with this, I should be the last to grumble about it,  - and so to bed - Ah Kathleen if I only knew the truth of this long silence.

Saturday 25th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Funeral of OS Goodall of Perseus who died of beri-beri.

Monday 27th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail arrived around 11 am.  Letters from Mother, Pincher, Pieko, Vere and one from K by the Indian mail.  Left Muscat about four pm.  Swung for deviation.  Hear that Perseus cutter has been missing for eight days

At this part of the journal are two addresses written in presumably for reference

Miss ME Gore, Indrim, Toowong, Brisbane, Australia. (Endrim House, Arlington House, 70 Woodstock Road, Toowong)

Mrs Tufton, 7A Earls Court Square, SW

Tuesday 28th January 1913 - HMS Miner

One of the chickens laid an egg about lunchtime.  Came up with Musandam Island about 11.00pm.

Wednesday 29th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Course for Farur passing to Northward of Tanb.  A strong current with us the whole time.  Passed through miles of fish spawn in forenoon.  Some large patches being like thick tomato soup and making sea bright red all round.  4.00pm met Espiegle, ordered to close SNO between Hindarabi & Sheikh Shuab. 

Thursday 30th January 1913 - HMS Miner

Closed Pelorus 9.00am.  Ordered to cruise between Chiru & Mogam to look for missing cutter.  Picked up Pelorus interpreter off Hindarabi.  Landed interpreter at Chiru.  Sheikh's idea seems to be that they have been cut up by Tanyistanis.  He has sent a man along the coast to look for any wreckage.

Friday 31st January 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed at 6.30, and proceeded up to Sheikh Shuab.  Landed gunner and Pelorus interpreter on Shitwar Island and went myself with our interpreter to see Sheikh of Sheikh Shuab.  Seems a better class of fellow than the others.  Rather upset about Karanja's treatment of his brother.  Cutter was last seen in Mogam the evening of Sunday 19th.  Anchored off Nakhills quite a green spot in the wilderness.  Surf too bad to make landing worth while.  Mr Bunyard found cutters bottom board on island.

Mr Bunyard with Jennie on HMS Miner - 1913

Saturday 1st February 1913 - HMS Miner

Landed in Morgam in morning.  No shooting.  Interpreter produced some eggs.  Afterwards anchored off Jazza, saw and chassed three coveys of partridges, bag nil.  Sailors landed with football.  A lovely evening, flat calm & a good sunset.  Heard three guns fired from Sheikh Shuab.

Sunday 2nd February 1913 - HMS Miner

Proceeded to Sheikh Shuab for news and also to find out why guns were fired.  No news of cutter.  Guns were only a salute for Sheikh Jbiahin on his return from Mecca.  Met Karanja and had a yarn with Blagrove.  Took over a chair & some beer that we had brought from Muscat for him.  Afterwards shaped course for Keza, as we have a man with a poisoned foot & a temperature of 102°.  Met Persius somewhere off Kais about 11.30pm.  Told to close her in forenoon off Sheikh Shuab.

Monday 3rd February 1913 - HMS Miner

Chased Perseus all forenoon.  Finally started coaling off Nakiules.  Heavy swell made it very uncomfortable, & we had to shove off before we had finished having carried away one awning stanchion, about 15 feet of out rubbing straks & Perseus sea gangway ladder, & one of our arial wires.  Heavy Shamal coming on so ran down to Chiru for shelter & to make good defects.  Met Karanja on way down & Balgrove & his gunner came over to dinner. 

Blowing like hell, but perfect shelter in Chiru.

Tuesday 4th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Turned out rather late; just about to have my bath when Sheikh Ahmed & his scoundrelly hangers on came off and stayed for 2½ hours, eating best part of a tin of biscuits, & hanging on to everything they could.  Finally shifted them on to Karanja.

In afternoon we all four went shooting first making our salaams to old Abdulla.  Mr Bunyard borrowed Ahmed's gun.  Plenty of Partridges on the rocky ground inland, and I had some very sporting shots.  No luck however.  Mr Bunyard got a Frenchman or as I maintain a species of francolin, & an Indian partridge.  No one else got anything.  Dined in Karanja.

Wednesday 5th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Weather moderated considerably.  Perseus arrived about 11.00am.  Karanja coaled first.  Afterwards proceeded slowly up the coast.  Mail arrived letters from Mother, A, Dewar, an unknown Christmas card, and all missing papers.  Bombshell from SNO in shape of request for routine of exercises carried out in launches.  All rot.  Photos arrived from Sequira.

Thursday 6th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Hanging about between Shuab & Hindarabi.  Met Blagrove and landed at Hindarabi to look for Partridges.  Saw none.  On my return found tide considerably lower than I had bargined for, and we only had 11 feet aft, while there were plenty of little rocks sticking.  Got under weigh and escaped without hitting anything.  Hove-to for night. 

Friday 7th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Mogam, landed interpreter for provisions.  Swell & slight Shamal, rolling a little.

Saturday 8th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Night at sea.

Sunday 9th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Sheikh Shuab.

Monday 10th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Karaiya off Jazza about three oclock.  Balgrove, Mr Hartwell & I after partridges.  Several shots, Balgrove brought one down, but he proceeded to be a runner & we did not pick him up.  I brought back two doves.

Tuesday 11th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Chiru pm.  Karanja's dined with us.

Wednesday 12th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Perseus arrived pm.  Dined with McHardy.  Rotten mail.  Letter from Pincher & Grandmother.

Thursday 13th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Pelorus arrived paid December mess savings & January pay.  Coaled & watered.  Bought goat for natives 5½ rupees.

Friday 14th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Magam about 11.30am.  Landed & visited Sheikh.  Quite a strong fort.  In afternoon Mr Bunyard, Derrick, Johnston & I climbed mountain behind Magam.  Started about two pm, reached summit, about 2700 feet by aneroid about 5pm. 

Saw eight ibex and a few partridges.  Started down a very fertile gully, many signs of gazelle or ibex, lots of shrubs, small trees flowers & grass.  Saw several rhododendrons on way down. 

About 6.30 further progress barred by 50 foot precipice, which necessitated a long detour.  Finally reached beach about 9.30pm, & found a hell of a tamasha under weigh.  Interpreter & sheikh with about forty armed men wandering about looking for us.  Other side of mountain more mountains & one or two fertile looking valleys.

Lt.Cmdr C.H.Heath-Caldwell with two interpreters, Charak, February 1913

Saturday 15th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Sheikh Shuab.

Sunday 16th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Nakhila night at sea.

Monday 17th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Chiru.

  

Tuesday 18th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Chiru.

Wednesday 19th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Coal from Pelorus.  Afterwards to Sheikh Shuab to deliver letter to Sheikh.

Thursday 20th February 1913 - HMS Miner

6.30am.  Proceeded to Naband.  Howling Shamel.  Partial shelter at Bustona.  Weather moderated in evening.  Todays great thought;

For him no wretches born to work & weep.

Explore the wing or tempt the dangerous deep.      Oliver Goldsmith.

Friday 21st February 1913 - HMS Miner

Left Bustano about 8.30 to battle with the elements, intending to make Naband.  Heavy swell, NW'ly swell.  At two oclock wind freshened & soon heavy sea was running.  Naband point abeam about four pm. 

Naband out of the question as it is entirely open to Shamal.  Decided to make for Dayir the nearest good shelter.  Wind & sea increasing till midnight with an occasional lull. 

Pitching & rolling a lot but old junk behaved very well & very good sea boat.  Spent most of my time on bridge from four oclock to midnight, when I was relieved by gunner. 

When I came up at four am, sea moderated as we were beginning to feel shelter of land beyond Dayir.  Finally anchored off  Dayir at 8.00am.  Landed and visited Sheikh or rather Khan, a regular Persian.  Spent two hours there, discussing every subject under the sun from politics to buying onions.  Seems fairly well informed.  Drank some very nasty sherbet. 

Sheikh's fort very dilapidated.  In afternoon started to blow, by eight oclock blowing 6-8.  Thank god for a sheltered anchorage. 

Sunday 23rd 22rd February 1913 - HMS Miner

Still blowing.  Dropped second anchor & remained at Dayir.

Monday 24th 23th February 1913 - HMS Miner 

Shamal over, 6.30am proceeded 110 course for Aslu.  Delivered letters at Aslu & Naband, though no Sheikh was to be found at either.  Everyone at Aslu seemed frightened about something.  Proceeded for Shiun.

Tuesday 25th 24th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Delivered letter at Shuiru about 9.0am, arrived Mogam lunch time, & Naklidu a little later.  Delivered letters at both places.  Anchored off Fazza, after partridges.  Saw one hare and brought back one see-see partridge.

Wednesday 25th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Left anchorage 5.00am and coaled from Perseus at Chiru in forenoon.  Afterwards anchored off Machalu, and succeeded in getting two brace of frenchmen, and four snippets.

Thursday 26th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Mr Bunyard bagged a brace of sand grouse (sand plover?) on Sheikh Shuab.  

Friday 27th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Mogam.

Saturday 28th February 1913 - HMS Miner

Another Shamal beginning.  Full speed ahead for Chiru, where we remain until the blow is over.  Highflyo heard on WT.

Sunday 1st March 1913 - HMS Miner

Still at Chiru.  Arranged a game of football in afternoon.  With assistance of hog-wallahs raised nine a side.  After about twenty minutes play, ball blew out to sea, and was gone before it could be picked up. 

Allowed the sailors to stay ashore.  They wandered round a bit, and seemed to enjoy themselves.  A change for them anyhow. 

I borrowed Sheikh's pony (without a saddle this time) and went for a canter half an hour or so, which shook up my liver.  This afternoon's exercise seems to have been beneficial to the troops.  Anyhow they are singing hymns on the messdeck now.  As several of them have quite good voices, the effect is rather nice. 

Today's great thought.  "All professional men are greatly handicapped by not being allowed to ignore things which are useless".  Goethe.

Monday 2nd March 1913 - HMS Miner

Wandered up to Sheikh Shuab.

Tuesday 3rd March 1913 - HMS Miner

Hanging about off Sheikh Shuab.

Wednesday 4th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Pelorus in forenoon.  Coaled, received pay etc.  No news except that Perseus has gone to Colombo to refit, and will probably go on to Mediterranean afterwards.  Beat shifted Chiru to Bistona, quite nice to have a change. 

Much to my surprise I got a letter from K. It has taken over a month to get here.  Also a letter from Pincher, and several papers.

Thursday 5th March 1913

Anchored off Kalat for an hour or two yesterday evening.  Weighed at seven oclock and stopped for the night three or four miles out.  Anchored off Kais this evening.  Went after pigeon for half an hour, had two or three shots. 

Sailors landed with new football that they got from the Pelorus.  The weather has been perfect for the last two or three days.  The temperature has been steadily mounting and remains in the vicinity of 80°. 

Had several false alarms after turtle.  I wonder if we shall ever get one.  Weighed at 8 oclock, and hove to for the night at nine oclock.  If fine, hope to paint the side tomorrow. 

Friday 6th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored at Kais again in the afternoon.  Visited Baniyas shop.  Afterwards after pigeon, bagged one dove.  After dinner weighed & steamed in the direction of Hansina.

Saturday 7th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Stopped off Hansina and landed interpreter.  Nothing doing.  Anchored of Charak at 2.30.  Blowing from SW.  Felt rather rotten all day.  Early to bed.

Sunday 8th March 1913 - HMS Miner

A SW'ly swell rolling around Taurana point warned me that a Shamal was beating up outside, so I decided to make a dash for Kais, where we should be more comfortable.  Previously landed the interpreter who came off with a large bundle of spring onions. 

Once outside we soon got into the thick of it.  Anchored off Kais about two oclock, and experienced that indescribable feeling of comfort produced by a comfortable anchorage with a howling gale outside.  Went for a short stroll in evening. 

Monday 7th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Kais to Mugu.  Kaus starting.  Steamed around Mugu bay and anchored under Lee of Bistana point.

Tuesday 8th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Left anchorage at 4.00am to rendezvous with Pelorus off Farura.  Good strong Kaus blowing.  When we met Pelorus he lowered dhows boat with two seedaboys, and ordered me to take the boat with a letter to New at Lija & then go on to Basidu. 

Very uncomfortable trip to Lijah, had to stop & hoist dhows boat in half way as she filled.  Anchored off Ras Kharya about 1.30 and landed with interpreter.  Suffered total immersion during process, but sent back for dry clothes, and afterwards did three miles into Liyah in peace. 

New's letter was about Turkish Consul.  About 10 days ago a Turk landed from a Russian steamer & told New to turn over to him the Turkish business, which New refused to do.  Wireless orders to proceed to Henjam instead of Basidu. 

Met Karanja off Henjam Wednesday morning, & afterwards proceeded into anchorage, arriving about the same time as Pelorus.  Wheel rope carried away as we were getting in, and steam pipe to capstan engine developed leak. 

Remained alongside Pelorus till 5.30, coaling, making good defects etc.  Game of football from two to four.  Damnably hot & dusty, and it was a merciful relief when bursting of ball finished game.  Karanja off to Banda Albas, which is in danger of being raided.

Thursday 13th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Left early for Abu Jhabi on another wild goose chase.

Friday 14th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived off Abu Jhabi (Abu Dhabi?) in afternoon.  Landed Peloru's interpreter Mohammed Salim.  Made elaborate preparations for a hostile demonstration, but none occurred.  Spent night at anchor, weighed and proceeded for Sir Abu Nair Saturday morning.  Anchored under lee of island 8.30pm, after a trying day playing into a Shamal.

Sunday 16th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Remained at Sir Abu Nair all day.  Ashore for a walk in forenoon.  A most desolate spot, nothing but red & yellow rock & sand (iron ore I think).  Still blowing hard at time of writing.  Landed interpreter to search for wreckage.

A Recitation (H&C Blagrove)

He was just an ordinary old sailor with grey hair and a weather beaten appearance, but there was a certain forlorn hopeless look about him, as though life was too dreary and oppressive for mere words.  On questioning him he said he'd been engaged in the Arms Traffic Operations in the Persian Gulf, and on being pressed for a yarn wiped his mouth on his sleeve and commenced:

Would yer like me to tell yer the story?

Ay ay Sir! It won't take me long.

It deals not with honour or glory.

Will never be lauded in song.

It deals not with "arduous seiges".

Or "long sustained bloody campaigns".

No medal its vassals and lieges.

Can therefore aspire to attain!!

Though the "Abor Botanical Mission".

This rare decoration received.

We were denied the permission.

For what we'd in duty achieved.

You ask what it was we achieved Sir.

Well, in honesty I must confess.

It was aix, although still we believed Sir.

A medal we'd get none the less.

You ask what it was we were doing?

Well, just the Arms Traffic Blockade?

Which mainly consists of pursuing.

A water policeman's trade.

When I tell you that thousands of pounds, Sir.

Are spent upon this every year.

I think you'll agree that it sounds, Sir.

At least, well a little bit queer.

That medals, and such decoration.

To us are entirely denied.

And the reasons and full explanation.

Of such a mean act not supplied.

When I say that the wily gun-runner.

Out wits us at every turn.

You may well ask. But what has been done a.

bout more of his habits to learn?

But that doesn't really matter.

So long as the ships keep at sea.

And use up their coal and their water.

Informing his Ex C-in-C.

Now here's the last great master-stroke, Sir.

For ending the weary blockade.

And the traffic in arms will be broke Sir.

Perhaps in another decade.

It is this - that whenever the "hook" Sir.

Is dropped in the mud for a space.

Full reasons are put in the book Sir.

Reporting the time, date, and place.

So at last we are really awaking.

To the needs of the case, it would seem.

By methods like this we are breaking.

The whole of the gun-running scheme.

And in time when our game has succeeded.

We can say in the ages to come.

Strong measures, like this one were needed.

To bring it all under our thumb!!

For by then - its not meant to be funny.

The arms-traders, rich, will retire.

And pack up, having made enough money.

While we'll have achieved our desire.

You've followed the point of my yarn Sir.

You understand all that I say?

A question you want me to answer?

What! - Drawing-room methods don't pay.

And why don't the Spinx & Pelorus.

The Philomel, Oden, Alert.

Do something effectively for us?

Contrive the gun-runners to hunt.

The Fox, Espiegle, and Perseus.

The launches, the Highflyer too?

When you were a kind, your old nurse used.

To do something better to you.

Ah! well Sir I've told you my story.

Your questions, the "Powers that be".

May answer, for they in their glory.

Are running the business, NOT ME.

Monday 17th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Blowing all day, moderated towards evening.  8.0pm started off for Farur.  Hell of a night heavy swell.

Tuesday 18th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Thick haze over everything.  No sign of land, but we happened on the up mail about four oclock, and got bearing and distance of Farur.  Made Farur about 6.30 and anchored in 6 fathoms to Westward of island.

Wednesday 19th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Blowing strong Nashi all day.  Landed shooting party.  Saw plenty of gazelle but discovered that it is -- ought to be the close season.

Thursday 20th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored at Hanjam (Hengam Island) midnight having been under weigh since 4.0am. Kaus all day accompanied by lightning & heavy rain.  

Friday 21st March 1913, Good Friday - HMS Miner

Boarded down mail.  Afterwards landed and wired for orders.  White dined on board.  

At 2.0am grounded by the stern, soft mud.  Got off without difficulty, no damage.

Saturday 22nd March 1913 - HMS Miner

Received mail.  Arrived at Bandar Abbas in the evening, found Pelorus there.  All quiet.  

The Baharhos are down for the annual raid, this time 19 of them were shot by the railaray surveyors, and some forty Mekran levies.

Sunday 23rd March 1913 - HMS Miner

Rained all day.  Alert came in in forenoon.

Monday 24th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Watered alongside Alert, and proceeded to cruise about for 24 hours.  However as it was beginning to blow we anchored under the lee of Larak.

Tuesday 25th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed & steamed towards Musandam during forenoon.  Arrived and anchored off Pelorus at Bandar Abbas about 8.30pm, Karanja arriving shortly afterwards.

Wednesday 26th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail arrived by Odin about five oclock.  Karanja & skiff pulled Pelorus skiff.  Pelorus won.  Letter from Pincher.  Proceeded at 6.0 pm for Musandam, night at sea.

Thursday 27th March 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Hormoz about four oclock.  Remarkably well preserved old castle (see Sykes 10,000 Persia), presumably built by Portuguese in 15th century.  In several places wooden beams still in place. 

Ormuz Castle - 1913

The outline of the old town can still be traced, about three miles in circumference.  The whole thing reminded me very much of Diocletian's palace at Spalato.  Built of stone.  Several arches still standing.  Afterwards had quite a good evenings sport at pigeons, bagged five, four of which I was responsible for.

Interior of Portuguese Castle, Hormuz Island - 1913

Friday 28th March 1913 - HMS Miner

At Bandar Abbas and Khor Kawi.

Saturday 29th March 1913 - HMS Miner

At sea.

Sunday 30th March 1913 - HMS Miner

At sea.  Started meals on summer palace.

Monday 31st March 1913 - HMS Miner

Henjam for coal. Played tennis.  Wrote to K and ELW.

Tuesday 1st April 1913 - HMS Miner

Oh don't the days seem lank & long.

When all goes right and nothing goes wrong.

Oh isn't your life extremely flat.

When there is nothing what ever to crumble at.

Proceeding in a leisurely way from Henjam to Tanb.

At this stage in the diary there are some poems pasted in that read as follows:

I. M. "HAMISH": A SCOTCH TERRIER.

Little lad, little lad, and who's for an airing,

   Who's for the river and who's for a run;

Four little pads to go fitfully faring,

   Looking for trouble and calling it fun?

Down in the sedges the water-rats revel,

   Up in the wood there are bunnies at play

With a weather-eye wide for a Little Black Devil:

   But the Little Black Devil won't come to-day.

To-day at the farm the ducks may slumber,

   To-day may the tabbies an anthem raise;

Rat and rabbit beyond all number

   To-day untroubled may go their ways:

To-day is an end of the shepherd's labour,

   No more will the sheep be hunted astray;

And the Irish terrier, foe and neighbour,

   Says "What's old Hamish about to-day?"

Ay, what indeed? In the nether spaces

   Will the soul of a Little Black Dog despair?

Will the Quiet Folk scare him with shadow-faces?

   And how will he tackle the strange beasts there?

Tail held high, I'll warrant, and bristling,

   Marching stoutly if sore afraid,

Padding it steadily, softly whistling;-

   That's how the Little Black Devil was made.

Then well-a-day for a "cantie callant,"

   A heart of gold and a soul of glee,-

Sportsman, gentleman, squire and gallant,-

   Teacher, maybe, of you and me.

Spread the turf on him light and level,

   Grave him a headstone clear and true-

"Here lies Hamish the Little Black Devil,

   And half of the heart of his mistress too."

C. Hilton Brown.

"All thoughts, all creeds, all dreams are true,

   All visions wild and strange;

Man is the measure of all truth

   Unto himself.  All truth is change:

All men do walk in sleep, and all

   Have faith in that they dream:

For all things are as they seem to all,

   And all things flow like a stream.

There is no rest, no calm, no pause,

   Nor good nor ill, nor light nor shade,

Nor essence nor eternal laws:

   For nothing is, but all is made.

But if dream that all these are,

   They are to me for that I dream:

For all things are as they seem to all,

   And all things flow like a stream."

ROUNDABOUTS AND SWINGS

"It was early last September night to Framlin'am-on-sea,

An' 'twas Fair-day come to-morrow, an' the time was after tea.

An' I met a painted caravan adown a dusty lane,

A Pharaoh with his waggons comin' jolt an' creak an' strain;

A cheery cove an' sunburnt, bold o' eye an' wrinkled up,

An' beside him on the splash board sat a brindled tarrier pup,

An' a lurcher wise as Solomon an' lean as fiddle-strings

Was joggin' in the dust around 'is roundabouts and swings.

'Goo'-day said 'e; 'Goo'-day,' said I; 'an' 'ow d'you find things go,

An' what's the chance o' millions when you runs a travellin' show?'

'I find,' said 'e, 'things very much as 'ow I've always found,

For mostly they goes up and down or else goes round and round.'

Said e', the job's the very spit o' what it always were,

It's bread and bacon mostly when the dog don't catch a 'are;

But lookin' at it broad, an' while it ain't no merchant king's,

What's lost upon the roundabouts we pulls up on the swings!

'Goo' luck,' said 'e; 'Goo' luck,' said I; 'you've put it past a doubt;

An' keep that lurcher on the road, the gamekeepers is out';

'E thumped upon the footboard an' 'e lumbered on again

To meet a gold-dust sunset down the owl-light in the lane;

An' the moon she climbed the azels, while a night-jar seemed to spin

That Pharaoh's wisedom o'er again, 'is sooth of lose-and-win;

For ' up an' down an' round,' said 'e, goes all appointed things,

An' losses on the roundabouts means profits on the wings!'"

Wednesday 2nd April 1913 - HMS Miner

Watered from Odin at Henjam.

Thursday 3rd April 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Khasab.  Very hot wind.  Temperature up to 97.  Spread side screens.

Friday 4th April 1913 - HMS Miner

At sea.

Saturday 5th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Ditto.  Temp about 80.

Sunday 6th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Saub.  Visibility 20 miles.  Saw Homer who is building lighthouse.  Take about three months to build.  Capable of being dismantled in 48 hours for political reasons.  Light being built without reference to Persian government as island is supposed to belong to Arab Sheikh.  Blew up some fish with dynamite cartridges.  What a damnable voice that fellow has got.

Monday 7th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Same old shunt, looked at a few old dhows.  

HMS Miner in Persian Gulf checking a Dhow. 1913 

Tuesday 8th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Evening received mail.  Letters from Mother, Vera, A, & Marsh.  Shamel blowing, no sleep.  

Wednesday 9th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Alongside Odin for water.  Shoved off at two oclock, still shamaling.  Atmosphere a little less highly charged owing to soothing influence of mail.  Anchor Henjam 10.0pm.  Chart blew overboard on way in.  Bright lads informed me about 10 minutes afterwards.  Discharged old Holmes to Odin for passage home, gave one fireman leave.  Blowing like hell.  Wrote to Vare.

Who is this that darkineth counsel by words without knowledge.  Job 38.2

Thursday 10th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Coaled at Henjam am.  Played tennis with White, and two telegraph clerks James & Tomlinson.  Afterwards honoured with a command to "upstairs".  Dined with White and his clerk "Nagarki".

Friday 11th April 1913 - HMS Miner

To sea 5am having left interpreter on the beach.  Fouled anchor & dragged some considerable way.  Sighted slow mail "Bankura" in afternoon and boarded her about five oclock.  Met Mrs Homer.  Sea again stopped about 9pm.

Saturday 12th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived at Tanb pm to find Odin there, watering lighthouse brigade.  However she shoved off about 6.30 so we remained.  Dined with Homer.  Lighthouse getting on splendidly but was nearly delayed by an important bit of iron being adrift.  However it turned up after 150 yards of the foreshore had been dug up in the search.  After dinner listened to Homer's gramaphone. 

Sunday 13th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Sea.  Atmosphere pultry.

Monday 14th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Sea.  Slight insubordination, principly stirred up by the champion gunner 7 ably assisted by my military friend.

Tuesday 15th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Presented my dissatisfied friend with 14 days IOA for insolence & frivolous request.  Gave the others a nasty shock too.

Wednesday 16th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Odin off Tanb.  Watered & proceeded to Henjam having previously planted 7 in Odin.  Decided improvement noticed on his departure.  Coaled at Henjam and left about 6.30.  Good mail, two tophole letters from Mother, also news of Father's appointment to command Scottish coast defences (Cuthbert's father, Maj Gen Fredereck Crofton Heath-Caldwell, was in the Royal Engineers). 

Thursday 17th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored in Khor Kawi for shelter from Shamal.  Blowing.

Friday 18th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Still anchored in Kor Kawi.  Landed on island with Mr Bunyard.  Stalked wild goats all the afternoon, also saw a gazelle and a brace of partridges.  Mr Bunyard shot two goats. 

I fired about 25 rounds but missed them all.  Mr Bunyard also shot 5 grey mullet with rife, about 3-4lbs each.

Saturday 19th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Boarded several dhows off Khor Kawi.  Followed dhow flying French flag & anchored near her off Khasab.  Big dhow, name Fathel Keir painted on quarter.  Baluchi crew. 

Owner M. Soguey, Muscat.  Nakoda.  Ismail Sahak.  Black tip to steampost with white band.  Probably has arms.  Verified papers.  Left Muscat 25 March.

Checking Dhows from HMS Minor - 1913

Sunday 20th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Left Khasab 7.0am.  Arrived Tanb 4.30pm.  Landed letters for Homer.  Homer came on board.  7.30pm left for Khasab.

Monday 21st April 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived Khasab 8.0am.  Found second Frenchman owner, Deisines & Cir (?) Muscat.  Nakoda Pindeok bin - has been to Barka & Sohar where she probably picked up arms.  Both dhows have sails bent, & spent most of day laying out & weighing anchors.

At this stage of the diary is written a note which appears to be out of place.  It reads as follows:

Fortune.  Death of acqaintance (casual male), death of female.  With first death come tidings of fortune.  Mans name begins with J.  Females name K.  Finish launches in Sept.  6th May hear news which will be production of journey (to Karachi I hope) probably to England.

Tuesday 22nd April 1913 - HMS Miner

Still at anchor.  Frenchmen weighed about 10.0pm.  Followed them out.

Wednesday 23rd April 1913 - HMS Miner

Following Frenchmen.  Last seen off Shuam.

Thursday 24th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Spent whole forenoon looking for dhows.  Anchored off Ras al Khaima at noon.  Landed for information.  Bought two ducks for Rs 2 each.  Also heard that French booms had anchored at Shuam.  Wireless orders from Pelorus to meet him Linga next day.  Passed French dhow off Shuam.

Friday 25th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail. Heard of death of Aunt M (this was probably his aunt Eliza Louisa Marsh-Caldwell of Linley Wood, who died in 1913.  This resulted in the Linley Wood estate passing to Cuthbert's father, Frederick Crofton Heath.  Both then added the name Caldwell to their surname to become Heath-Caldwell ). 

Met Pelorus off Linga.  Watered received pay for March; afterwards ordered to take native troops to Basidu & meet Pelorus there.  Shamel & dust storm blowing (glass very low).  Half way there & more orders from Pelorus to return to Linga.  All soldiers very sick.  Finally got rid of them about 10.30pm with loss of nothing less than one water bottle. 

Saturday 26th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Daylight weighed and proceeded to Chiru - Bistana beat to look for Karanja.  Sill blowing.  Anchored Charak.

Sunday 27th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Still at Charak.  Natives state that it will blow for 20 days.

Monday 29th April 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Pelorus.  Tuesday mail.  GM's death (Mary Helsham-Jones, step grandmother?).  

Arrived Heijam 1am Wednesday.  Coal.  Wednesday night anchored Tarub.  Elephantia.  Sight Dafferin.

Thursday 1st May 1913 - HMS Miner

Abu Musa.  Shoot pigeons.  Very bad head.

Friday 2nd May 1913 - HMS Miner

Hover round Abu Musa.  Away sailing in skiff.

Saturday 3rd May 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Philomel.  

Sunday 4th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Took over Tazistan beat from Karanja.

Monday 5th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Nil.

Tuesday 6th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Philomel mail, water, soup.  Fed up.  Anchored Kais Shamel.

Wednesday 7th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Still at Kais.  Shamal.  Exercise 2-7.  Shot one pigeon.  

Thursday 8th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Shinas.  Sent interpreter into Linga.  He returned with five tame pigeons. 

Saturday 10th May 1913 - HMS Miner

At Tanb.

Sunday 11th May 1913 - HMS Miner

2.30am arrive Henjam.  6.15am alongside Minto for stores & water.  Afterwards coal.  Philomel & Spinx arrive in course of forenoon.  Reliefs joined.

Monday 12th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Left for Ras al Kuh.  Tuesday morning followed Odin anchored near Jask for mail and fruit.  D.R. defect.

Tuesday 13th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived off Ras al Kuh early and sighted Odin about 8 oclock.  A Shamal & moderate sea running so followed her in under lea of Ras al Kuh for shelter anchoring about 11.00am.  Remained at anchor to repair broken pipe in E.R. (Engine Room?)

Wednesday 14th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed 6.0am and anchored again for shelter close under Ras al Kuh after boarding two dhows.  Landed with gunner & interpreter and tramped over a low sandy plain covered with camel grass for an hour or so.  Sun intensely hot & we were very glad to reach shade of date gardens of village of Ras al Kuh.  After a rest shot a few doves.  Interpreter bought 7 chickens & some eggs. 

Finally rode back, gunner & interpreter on donkeys, myself on camel.  Noticed a mango tree in village.  Inhabitants seemed very friendly and slightly cleaner than Persians, the women particularly being quite graceful.

Thursday 15th May 1913 - HMS Miner

At sea, examining the coast up.  Anchored in 3 fathoms to Northward of Kunari Point.  Landed amid the mangrove swamps.  Plenty of herons about, and houbara (?).  At 2.30pm we caught a 15lb bonito on line towed over the quarter.

Friday 16th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Kuhistak about four pm.

Saturday 17th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Landed interpreter at Khajum am, with orders to go to Minau and buy fruit.  Sailed into creek in evening and sounded.  About four feet, at low water right inside, but bar practically awash.  Excellent shelter for dhows.

Sunday 18th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Minto appeared am, so perforce we had to coal, this being the second Sunday running.  Frequent expeditions to the beach to see if interpreter had returned.  Finally landed at four oclock and started to walk along caravan route towards Minab, soon met interpreter returning.  Rough trip off in skiff. 

Monday 19th May 1913 - HMS Miner

100°F on bridge.

Tuesday, Wednesday 21st May 1913 - HMS Miner

Off Ras al Kuh waiting for Odin.

Thursday 22nd May 1913 - HMS Miner

Odin appeared with mail.  Anchored off Sihik pm.  Landed interpreter who returned at midnight.

Friday 23rd May 1913 - HMS Miner

Shipped billet to Jakrei (chart Juru).  Interpreter came off with two individuals who gave a lot of information about gun-runners.

Saturday 24th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Visited Khargun.  Caught 10lb barracuda on stern line.

Sunday 25th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Belai, about four oclock.  Landed and met Mir Hajji.  Donkeys were produced and we rode into Sirik accompanied by the usual bodyguard.  On arriving at the village we sat down on carpet outside the Sheikh's house, and watched the luti-wallahs dancing in honour of the marriage of one of the Sheikh's nephews to his daughter.  The performers consisted of about eight women, dressed in red clothes with gold nose rings and other ornaments, also three men who constituted the band with two tom toms, and a small trumpet, out of which they extracted the devil's own din. 

Finally Mir Hajji asked me to stay to dinner, which consisted of a roast chicken and some chupatties.  After dinner the whole population walked around the village lead by the band aforesaid, lighted by torches.  Then followed more dances, and finally I got away about eleven oclock. 

Monday 26th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Patrolling.  

Tuesday 27th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Odin off Ras al Kuh with mail.  Anchored Sirik pm.  

Wednesday 28th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Interpreter came off with news that Mir Hajji had shot one of his own men at Gunari in order to throw suspicion on Mir Birkelt, also Mir H on warpath.  Coal & water from Minto at Larak pm.

Thursday 29th May 1913 - HMS Miner

Off Khagun.  Anchored Guru pm.  Plenty of trees, shot two doves two hares.

"But for myself, I have not much opinion of a seafaring life" Hazlite "The Indian Jugglers".

Sunday 1st June 1913 - HMS Miner

Patrolling.

Monday 2nd June 1913 - HMS Miner

Landed Guru for two hours.  During week shot two hares and several pigeons.  

Saw several partridges.

Tuesday 3rd June 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Odin off Ras al Kuh.  No letters for me.

Wednesday 4th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored of Khoer Minau pm.

On 4th June 1913 in England, the suffragette Emily Davison died after having thrown herself in front of the King's horse in the Derby.

Thursday 6th June 1913 - HMS Miner

pm.  Anchored off Kukistak.  Away sailing in afternoon.  Landed about five oclock with gunner.  Country sand hills with heathery bushes and occasionally patches of prickly scrub.  Saw three gazelle and a few partridges.

Sunday 8th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Henjam daylight.

Wednesday 10th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Hauled up to Eastward of spit.  Quite a successful operation.  Rows with Minto.  Mem RIM brigade very touchy (livers?).  Bloody war going on ashore between the Janes & Stormer family.  Very foolish.  Read Also & Perhaps, & unaddressed letters.

Thursday 11th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Went over to Deristan pm.  Put up at old Hajjis hour fairly clean, lived principally on native food rice & chickens.  Started off on Friday morning on camels.  Devilish hot no proper stukari.  Wednesday - mail arrived.  Saturday slow mail.  Obtained some mangoes.

Sunday 22nd June 1913 - HMS Miner

Refit finished.  Successful trial in early morning.  Everyone rather edgy.  Arrived Tanb at 4.0pm.  Anchored.  Called on Homer and inspected lighthouse.  Came away with a gallon of Ripolin, some white paint and two hedgehogs.  Weighed at 8.0pm.

Monday 23rd June 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Chiru 5.0pm.  Sheihk Ahmed on topline.  Shot a hare & a partridge (rather early).  6 chickens hatched out of 8 eggs.  

Wednesday 25th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Striking case.  Damned nuisance. 

Thursday 26th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Spent all day searching big dhow off Ras Yarid.

Friday 27th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Karanja with our mail off Farur.  Letters from Father, Mother & Pincher.

Saturday  28th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchor Chiru pm.  Rode Sheikh's pony.

Sunday 29th June 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Kais pm.

Monday 30th June 1913

Coaled & watered from Minto pm off Farur.  Scranja turned out & Rogers & I had chow on board.  Anchored off Scranja near Farur village pm.  Scranja shifted billet 4.0am having bumped a rock.  10.30 Arrival of Marsh with boat load of hauses.  11-12 Vast quantities of ----; & sand arrived and are piled up forward. 

1.25 Operation began.  Grass line is sent out in Minto's steam boat, at 2nd attempt they bend it on to, shore hauses, having managed to get it foul of dhow.  Much shouting and swearing in Hindustani (principlly at dhow's crew who only understand Persian).

Tuesday 1st July 1913 - HMS Miner

Slow mail arrived about 8.30 & was boarded by Minto.  Went out and got first pick of sun helmets.  Rogers & Mr Hartudt had tiffin with us.  Up mail arrived about 4.30pm.  Raced Scranja out & beat her.  One letter and all papers arrived.

Wednesday 2nd July 1913 - HMS Miner

Piglons which deserted on Sunday returned this evening.  Still blowing Shamel.

Thursday 3rd July 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Chiru in evening.  Short walk and long bathe.

Friday 4th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Sighted Pelorus bound for Muscat and Colombo.  Chased Pelorus.  Went on board for about a quarter of an hour.  All in high spirits on account of scrap up at Dilman (about 20 natives killed, our casualties one killed and four wounded). 

Apparently the inhabitants opened fire on the boats when they went in to haul off dhows.  In end Pelorus, Philomel & Sphinx landed every available man.  Received a few letters and some overdue papers.  Amongst papers one from Endrim Toowong.

Sunday 6th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Bistone to Chiru.  Anchored Chiru pm.

Tuesday 7th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Met mail off Farur.  Karanja & Minto there.  No letter from Mother, one from A.

Thursday 9th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Minto turned up am, and went off with Mr Bunyard (gunner, candidate for mate) and Derick L.S. poisoned foot.

Friday 11th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored off Bistona at 8.0pm and passed most uncomfortable night.  Not a wink of sleep till 4.0 oclock owing to swell.  Stopped another pearl merchant off Miju with 110 rounds of manulicher ammunition which he could not account for satisfactorily.

Saturday 12th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed 6.0am.  Shortly afterwards sighted Karanja astern.  Closed and picked up 

Mr Bunyard again.  It appears that when he arrived at Hejam on Friday morning he shifted to the Elephanta & there to the shore, the slow mail having gone 24 hours earlier. 

Then another telegram arrived from SNO saying his passage was cancelled (presumably till arrival of relief) so he came back to Tanb where he rejoined Karanja & incidentally passed a most uncomfortable night. 

Anchored at Chiru this evening and shot a pseudo sand grouse, also visited the remains of whale.  He must have been at least fourty feet long & judging from footmarks must have been a regular godsend to the jackals.

Sheikh most interested in his forts.  He and his brother Abdullah have declared war on Mogam & Kalat & they say that Abdullah with 400 men has beaten Mogam having killed two.  But it is most probably a lie.  The following is a copy of curious document discovered stowed away in writing table.  The writing is shaky and whole manuscript shows signs of antiquity. 

Examination of candidates for Captain of an armed launch.  

Time allowed 3 hours.  Only 6 questions to be attempted.

I.  Give Hindostani, Persian and Goanese equivalents of.

(a)"fool".  (b) swine.  (c) "You are a damned liar".  (d) He is no good at all. 

(e) That will be one days pay.

II.  Write a specimen letter to Senior Naval Officer, explaining that.

(1) Half your crew are sick.  

(2) The remainder are bad characters.

(3) You consider that they should all be relieved.

III.  Give SNO's reply to letter in question II.

IV.  Describe how to tame a wild Goanese cook aged (according to his service certificate) 50.  Said cook knows no language but Goanese.  Special consideration should be given to "Breaking to soap & water".

V.  Describe briefly "How not to beach an armed launch on the occasion of her (alleged) quarterly overhaul.

VI.  Describe cause, symptoms & treatment of:

(a) Prickly heat.

(b) Boils.

(c) Malaria.

(d) Persiangulfitis.

VII.  (a)  Give specimen weekly anchoring returns for following beats

(1) Chiru to Bistane.

(2) Tanb to Abu Musa.

(3) Farur to Musandam.

In your answer "considered expedient" is not to be used as a reason for anchoring.

(b) Write down number of times per month you consider it safe to give "shelter from Shamel" as a reason for anchoring.

VIII.  The quartermaster (who is a youthful marine) wakes you up at 6.0am, and informs you that he has lost overboard

(a) The service binoculars.

(b) The service telescope.

(c) Your own binoculars.

Give a selection of remarks suitable to each case.

IX.  A is CO of a launch, which is on a lonely beat and has no chance of meeting a man-of-war for at least 6 weeks.  His crew consist of 1 Gunner, 11 PO's, NCO's & men of the Royal Navy & Marines, besides 11 lascar stokers.  At 10.30am the gunner informs A that.

(1) The PO requests to be relieved because he cannot get on with the Gunner.

(2) 6 men request to be relieved because they cannot get on with the Gunner or Petty Officer.

(3) The PO & six men are in the report for insolence to the Gunner.

What should A do?

X.  Write an essay on the Arms Traffic Blockade with special reference to armed launches.  Describe the changes that you would make if you were

(1) The C-in-C East Indies.

(2) Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Division.

XI.  Write a letter to a friend explaining the advantages of life in an armed launch.

XII.  Write a service letter requesting to be relieved of your command.

 ---------------------------------

Sunday 13th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Pariah bitch puppy joined ship.

Monday 14th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Farur pm.

Tuesday 15th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail day.

Thursday 17th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Met Minto at Tamb & developed defect in feed pipe.  Off to Henjam for repairs to same.

Friday 18th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Played cricket with Harolds and Mintos.  Alert & slow mail arrived in evening.  

Left about nine thirty.

A printed poem as follows has been inserted into the Diary at this point.

PETER.

(A Kitten Buried at Sea.)

Not in a garden of rose and lily

Where the bee and the blackbird play,

Not in a cloistered crypt and chilly

Under the minster grey; 

But under the fair and open Heaven,

Longitude fifty, latitude seven,

The wind in the east and the hour eleven,

Peter was laid away.

A dirge for Peter, son of the morning,

A dirge for Peter, infant of days,

Snatched from the sun with never a warning,

. . .  in the nether ways:

Down where the fearsome deep-sea cattle

Stare and terrify, rend and battle,

And the bones of long-lost mariners rattle,

Poor little Peter strays.

And yet down there, -there can be no telling

And a mortal may not know -

A kindlier folk may keep their dwelling

Where a little cat could go:

And he must have met with the Sea King's rangers,

Aye on the watch for land-born strangers

To guide their feet through the deep-sea dangers:-

At least let it have it so.

So now he lives upon lordly dishes,

Sleeps on a princely mat,

Hunts all day for the little fishes,

Waxes exceeding fat;

And courtiers cry to him - sorely smitten

By Peter's claws, and probably bitten-

"Hail, oh Peter! a land-child's kitten,

Peter,the Sea-King's cat"C. Hilton Brown.

 -----------------------------------------------

Saturday 19th July 1913 - HMS Miner

am to Linga where I left some mess gear for Minto & incidentally got some mangoes and sour limes.

Monday 22nd (21st) July 1913

To Farur for mail.  Stopped down mail Kha on Tuesday morning, but up mail, Dcoarka was 26 hours late &  did not arrive until Wednesday evening.

Friday 25th July 1913

Devilish hot.  Stormy Shamel.  Tempurature up here 108°.

Saturday 26th July 1913

Shamal still blowing.  Weighed at 6 oclock & damaged a dhow off Kais.  Escorted dhow to anchorage but damage slight.  In afternoon to Chiru.  Ashore to play cricket.

Sunday 27th July 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed 6.30 & proceeded East slow.  Shamel came on about 3.30pm so anchored off Charak about four thirty.  Feeling rather fed up with everything.  Read several chapters of Dr Johnston.  Although the famous doctor seems to me to have been rather a pompous individual (a course of seafaring which he so much despised would have done him good), I like the book better every time I read it.

Sunday 3rd August 1913 - HMS Miner

Shamal lasted well on into last week.  We coaled & watered from Minto at Farur on Tuesday and mail arrived about two oclock.  Two letters for me but all my papers from Everett were adrift for second time running. 

We had a rotten trip up to Kais arriving there at 11pm.  Nothing of importance has occurred during week.  All dhows have returned from pearling in preparation for Ramadan.  Have rather allowed small worries to get on my mind, & have been feeling rather depressed.  Ramadan commenced this week & all dhows are now back from pearling.

Saturday 9th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Coaled from Minto off Farur on Tuesday morning.  She afterwards proceeded to Linga taking our interpreter.  Up mail did not reach Farur until 10.30pm.  Karanja got mail & we afterwards proceeded to Linga.  I anchored 2.30am, Karanja at 3.30.  Left 7.0am next day and anchored for night at Charak. 

Blowing Shamal.  Landed and saw three Hyenas.  Anchored Kais Thursday evening about 8.30.  Very thick & did not sight island more than a mile & a half away.  Friday anchored at Kais again.  Played Cricket.

Monday 11th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Farur 4.30pm.  Landed with gunner after gazelle.  I only had one shot, (running about 150 yards) which I missed.  The gunner got a fine fat doe.  Karanja arrived evening.

Tuesday 12th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed 4.30am & took mail to Minto.  Afterwards coaled & watered.  Home mail arrived about two oclock.  Karanja & Minto proceeded for Linga.  Sighted Sphinx about three oclock, flying Resident's flag.  Followed them to Hassina where they anchored.  Dined with Oswald. 

A nice lot there Oswald, Spurgeon & Braisford, doctor Cock, AP name unknown but a good sort.  The Resident Sir Percy Cox a very distinguished looking man.  New was on board too.  Apparently visit to Hassina was in connection with missing cutter, but whole thing is supposed to be a great secret.

Wednesday 13th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Chiru pm.  Cricket.

Thursday 14th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Remained at anchor & painted side.  Cricket in evening.  Foster with temperature of 102°.  My diagnosis is overheating.  Prescribed normal remedies, viz:- bursting charge followed by quinine in large quantities.  Dixie behaved very badly all day and received several lickings.

Monday 18th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Farur 5.30pm in company with Karanja, ashore with Mr Bunyard after gazelle.  

I had one very good chance just after sunset but missed it.  

Couldn't get to sleep till about one oclock.

Tuesday 19th August 1913 - HMS Miner

Under weigh at 4.0pm to catch down mail.  Mr Bunyard departed by it, after nearly missing his trip.  The Karanja took interpreter into Linga for provisions, returning about 2.30pm.  Up mail arrived about 12.30.  We sighted here an hour and a half before she arrived, or about 22 miles off.  A very satisfactory mail, including several books.  Started reading Hajji Baba of Jspahan.

 The Scotsman

Wednesday 20 August 1913

Chauffeur. - Wanted at once, careful driver; previous experience of private service; age about 28.

Apply by letter or personally between 7 and 8pm to General Heath-Caldwell, 10 Atholl Crescent, Edinburgh

Diary of C.H. Heath-Caldwell continues

Saturday 23rd August 1913 off Charak. - HMS Miner

I met the Karanja off Bistana at midnight on Thurday, and anchored there for night.  Acting on his information I found Minto at Bisidu on Friday.  We coaled & watered and afterwards proceeded to Linga where we anchored at eight oclock. 

Dined in the Elephanta.  Hear that Wood the lighthouse expert died in Muscat and was buried at midnight.  The cemetary is to the West of the harbour, and entails a trip of about half and hour by steam boat.  The landing is very bad and depends on state of tide. 

A propos of this following story, rather green but not without humour.  I must explain that Nassib the contractor digs graves.  When the ceremony was over Consul observed that Nassib was still diging.  Consul log "Nassib, what are you doing there".  Oh digging grave Sahib - spare one!  Have been reading Schegton's book the Strayling of Persia.  British foregn office cuts rather a sorry figure.

Have also borrowed volume of A Lindsay Gordons poems, lent me by Cameron in Minto.  Following extracts.

We, too "Jobs comforters" have met

With steps like ours unsteady.

They could not help themselves and yet

To judge us they were ready

Lifes path is trod at last, and God

More ready to reprieve is.

They know, who rest beneath the sod.

Mors gratum, vita brevis Extract from 

"A song of pilgrimage" by A.L.G.

Question not, but live and labour

Till your goal be won

Helping every feeble neighbour

Seeking help from none

Life is mostly froth and bubble

Two things stand like stone

Kindness in anothers trouble

Courage in your own.Ye wear'ee waffarer by A.L.G.

Let never a tear his memory stain.

Give his ashes never a sigh.

One of many who perished, not in vain.

As a type of our chivalry.

Good sooth there a sorry world I wean

If we all went galloping mad

Yet if once we efface the joys of the Chase

From the land, and outroot the stud.

Goodbye to the Anglo-Saxon race.

Farewell to the Norman blood.

----------------------------------------------

On Sunday 24th, ( HMS Miner) 

Foster came up with an alarming looking abscess (thecal absess) in his hand.  I went straight to Linga where we arrived at 8.30.  Doctor could not perform operation that night.  Left Linga at about 10.30 Monday morning.  Anchored at Farur 4.30pm.  Landed with Coxon, Derrick & McQuade to shoot gazelle.  Down mail arrived unexpectedly (9 hours before her usual time) at 8.0pm.  Caught her with difficulty.  Derrick and McQuade adrift. 

Anchored 10pm and landed interpreter, fired Verys lights and a rocket (the latter barely laid out the village).  Derrick turned up 10.30 no sigh of marine.  11.15 landed search party (which I accompanied).  Returned to ship at 1.30am.  Landed another search party and coerced villagers into joining at 5.30am. 

Steamed round island.  Search party found marine at 10.0am little the worse for his night out.  Karanja arrived.  Taffin in Karanja.  Up mail arrived midnight on Tuesday.  Proceeded to Linga with Sphinx's mail.  Arrived there at 5.0am

. 

Interview with Colonel Cox and Commander Tod, off to Shinderah, Mogam & Sheihk Shuab to make enquiries about missing Perseus cutter.  Arrived Hindarabi 4.30pm Wednesday. 

With assistance of Mullah explained about cutter.   Left Hindarabi 4.30am.  Visited Mogam & Sheikh Shuab in forenoon and second village Sheikh Shuab in afternoon. 

Left 4.30 for Henjam.  Derrick taken ill in evening.  Another night out for me.

Tuesday 2nd September 1913 at Henjam - HMS Miner

We arrived here Friday evening having developed a boiler defect.  Found Karanja and Minto here.  It was decided to commence our refit now.  Minto sailed on Sunday morning leaving 12 dockyard workmen with us.  Dined in Karanja Friday night. 

Saturday Rogers, Heaton from Karanja, Manfield, Boultbee from Elephanta dined with me.  Played tennis on Sunday evening, White & James dined with me.  Monday evening played cricket, dined with White.  Tuesday (today) played tennis.  My first effort in Henjam tournament was not auspicious, as I was beated by James although he gave me 30 in every game.  Discovered leak in DW tank this evening.  Ramadan ends this evening.

Wednesday 3rd September 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail arrived, also offensive letter from CO Minto.  What an infernal nuisance these half & halfers are.  Give me either the Royal N (which is bad enough at times) or else the pukka genuine merchant service.  Played tennis in the evening.  Feeling pretty fed up all round.

Sunday 6th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Since last entry, have been ashore playing cricket and tennis alternate days.  Disturbance on board in evening.  I arrived in time to find most of sailors half drunk, two of whom had violently assaulted coxswain.  The later is undoubtedly tactless, never goes out of his way to be pleasant to anyone.  A most infernal nuisance.  It is difficult to know what to do.  I have done my best to make things as pleasant as possible for all hands, but I don't seem to have had any return for it. 

Tuesday 8th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Everything has been quiet so far but I have considered it advisable to remain on board until new gunner arrives.  I feel very much inclined to put in my chit & clear out, except that that would be akin to a confession of failure.  Very hot this evening.

Staffordshire Advertiser

Saturday 6 September 1913

South East Cheshire - By Order of the Executors of Miss E.L. Marsh-Caldwell deceased.

Important Sale of a Valuable Freehold Property known as The Bank Farm, Scholars, Green, now in occupation of Mr William Stonier, Area 67a. 2rd. 0p.

The Farm from an agricultural standpoint is productive, and both milk and farm produce can be readily marketed in the adjoining village of Mount Pleasant and the Pottery Towns, the nearest of which is only five miles distant.

Valuable Mineral Rights will be included in the purchase price, underlying a surface extending over 73 acres.

The Colliery on the Property is now in active operation, and household coal of good quality is being hewed.

The Homestead is commodious and of a modern character, and there are Two Workmen's Cottages situate in close contiguity thereto, which will be included in the purchase price of the Farm together with the growing timber.

Also a Desirable Country Residence known as Longstile with an Area of 7½ Acres or thereabouts, now in the occupation of Mr William H. Lockitt, situate on the main road from Knutsford to Newcastle-under-Lyme, within ten minutes walk to Alsager Rd Railway Station and 15 minutes walk from the village of Alsager.

The residence is well elevated and situate amongst the most picturesque surroundings, in the midst of well kept Grounds, which are approached by a spacious carriage-drive.
The interior of the residence comprises commodious reception-rooms and bedrooms, bathroom and wc.There is a walled-in productive Kitchen Garden, also a Motor Garage and excellent Outbuildings.

Henry Manley and Sons Limited are intructed to offer the above Properties for sale by Public Auction at the Royal Hotel, Crewe, on Monday September 22, at Three o'clock prompt (subject to conditions).

Descriptive particulars and Plans in preparation and are obtainable of the Auctineers, Crewe and Whitchurch: John Loring Esq., Land Agent. Doddington, Nantwich, or Messrs Barnard and Taylor, Solicitors, 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.

 Diary of Lt.Cmdr Cuthbert H. Heath-Caldwell continuies....

Tuesday 16th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Mr Webber arrived last Wednesday, so that after a lapse of three weeks I have at last got another gunner.  I have played a good deal of tennis.  Minto arrived on Saturday morning, and we were beached on Sunday, a process which entailed far less agony than normal, partly owing to the fact that we kedged close in shore the previous night.  The Lawrence arrived on Thursday evening.  I dined on board her on Friday.  On Saturday Douglas, Marsh, Hallet & Best dinned here.  Today we have coaled & watered.  Trial takes place tomorrow.  Weather still oppressive and I still feel rather out of sorts.

Mr Webber with Dixie on HMS Miner in Persian Gulf, 1913

Wednesday 17th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Coaled am 26 tons (very bad coal nearly all dust).  Warped astern Minto for water yesterday.  Steam trial this afternoon.  Two men sick, left in Minto. 

Thursday 18th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Left pm for Chiru patrol.

Friday 19th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived Chiru pm.  Landed with gun and Dixie.  Put up a tremendous lot of partridges at first range of hills, but evidently my day off, as I could not hit them.  Lost Dixie.  Told Sheikh on my way back, who said she was certain to be eaten by hyenas, but that he would look out for her.  Had my usual bathe in evening.  Interpreter brought off some yarn about pirates having been captured off Kalat al abeid by ali Bukka.

Saturday 20th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Landed 5.30am with interpreter to look for Dixie.  Visited Sheikh en route.  He bought out an enormous hawk which he wished to give me, but I thought it too much of a good thing, though I should have liked to have accepted it.  The gunner suggested keeping it in a hen coup.  We found Dixie about ¾ mile from town.  On way back had tea with Sheikh.  A bathe & then off to breakfast. 

Hands painting side.  After breakfast shot two oyster catchers, not very good eating.  4.0pm left for Kais arrived 7.30 after a very close shave for spit.  We cant have been more than 10 yards from it.  Helm hard over full speed ahead one engine, slow astern other, sounded 9 feet, but did not touch. 

Sunday 21st September 1913 - HMS Miner

Steamed out towards Charak again, anchored Kais 4.30pm.  Landed & visited Bunaia inspected pearls many worth three & four thousand rupees.  Bought 3 for 40 chips.  Bunaia gave me some pearl shells.  Bought some Arab slippers Rs 3.8, two dishes etc.  Mr Webber sick, probably sciatica!

 Monday 22nd September 1913 - HMS Miner

Linga pm for doctor.  Shamel in afternoon.  Left Linga 5.0pm for Farur, arrived 11.0pm after dusting down.  Passed Minto.

Tuesday 23rd September 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail day.  Anchored off Ras Dastakan at dark.

Crewe Guardian

Tuesday 23 September 1913

Property Sales

Valuable Property in the Market

Valuable freehold agricultural and residential properties were offered for sale by auction at the Royal Hotel, Crewe, by Mr. E.H. Manley, of Messrs Henry Manley and Sons, Ltd, on Monday.

The first lot submitted for competition was Bank Farm, Scholar Green, now in the occupation of of Mr William Stonier, at a rental of £100 per annum. The farm includes 67½ acres of land of a productive nature, two workmen's cottages, the mineral rights underlying an acreage of 72½ acres, a bed of sand, and a quantity of growing timber.

Mr Manley stated that the colliery on the estate was now in active operation and good household coat was being hewn under a lease terminating March 25th 1925, subject to a royalty of 5d per ton of coal, and 3d per ton on slack, with a minimum yearly rental of £20 should the royalties not amount to that sum annually, also an annual rental of £3 per acre for the surface value of all land occupied in the working of the mine.

The present shafts were not sunk to any great depth, and no serious attempt had been made to get anything beyond the surface coal. Anyone wishing to speculate, and spend money in development would find the investment a profitable one. The sale was on the instruction of the executorsof Miss E.L. Marsh-Caldwell.

Bidding opened at £1,800 and advances of £100 brought the offer to £2,500 at which figure the lot was withdrawn.

The second lot was the country residence known as Longstile, fifteen minutes walk from Alsager, and occupied by Mr William H. Lockett, at a rentalof £40 per annum and taxes. In addition to the usual outbuildings there are three fields of good pasture land. The grounds are well laid out. Also there is a lawn and flower garden in front of the house, a shrubbery and a kitchen garden stocked with fruit trees. The area is about 7½ acres.

At £800 the bidding was opened, and at £1,100 the property was withdrawn.

The solicitors for the venders were Bernard and Taylor, London

Diary of Lt. Cmdr Cuthbert H. Heath-Caldwell continues...

Wednesday 24th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Arrived Henjam 10.0am coaled.  Elephanta & Minto in company.  Karaja arrived pm.  Played Karanja at cricket and beat them.  We went in first and made 69, Karanja made 65.  White played for us, Marsh (Minto) Marfield & Boultbee played for Karanja.  Remaining at Henjam owing to boiler defect.

Thursday 25th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Astern of Minto for water in forenoon.  Played Karanja again in evening.  Put them in first, all out for 39.  We went in and made 82 for three wickets when we had to draw stumps owing to light.

Friday 26th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Discharged Bin to the shore sick.  He wept as he said goodbye.  However I hope to get him back.  Anchored for night off Shinas.

Saturday 27th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Chiru pm.  Ashore after partridges.  Saw four coveys and one hare but returned empty handed, a bathe & so off to dinner.  Blowing a gental Kaus, no Shamel.  Rather an oppressive night. 

Sunday 28th September 1913 - HMS Miner

Proceeding leisurely towards Charak, anchored 5.30pm.  Away sailing & intended to fish but Dixie swallowed the hooks (no ill effects apparent so far) then I dropped the line overboard & failed to pick it up.  Finally landed & bathed.  Slight Shamel this evening.  Good sunset. 

"Verily my compassion compassion overcometh my wrath" (Mohamed)

Ah love, could you & I with fault conspire.

To grasp this sorry scheme of things entire.

Would we not shatter it to bits & then.

Remould it nearer to our hearts desire."

---------------------------------------------

Anchored Farur as usual from mail on Monday.  Fox arrived on Tuesday morning and we were ordered to proceed to Henjam.  Arrived there 5.30pm, proceeded alongside Minto for water 7.0pm, remained there until midnight, then shoved off with only half our water.

Wednesday 1st October 1913 Biyaban Coast - HMS Miner

Target alongside at daylight.  Fox came in with mails at about 6.00am.  Proceeded on board with my criminals about 6.30am.  They were soon weighed off as C.O. of Fox gave them exactly what I put them in for.  Fox gave us one A.B. and sent a signalman.  Spent all Wednesday forenoon towing targets for Fox.  Coaled on return to harbour.  Some talk of our taking on Quoins.  Remained at Henjam all Thursday, left daylight on Friday for Sirik.

(It is in October 1913 that Cuthbert's surname is recorded in Navy records as changing from Heath to Heath-Caldwell)

Sunday evening 5th October 1913  

Anchored off Sirik Friday evening.  Saturday anchored off Kuhistak.  A few dhows about, which we boarded.  Landed 4pm in company with gunner.  Walked for two hours, saw one gazelle (which came bursting over the top of the hill towards me, but was off out of it before I had time to shoot).  We had stand easy near a creek where I observed a kingfisher at work. 

On our return the interpreter (Nainarji from Shiraz) announced that Mr Hajji was at Kuhistak & that he wished to come off and see me.  A boat was sent in & he & three of his ruffians came off about 8 oclock & stayed till ten.  He pitched the usual yarn about his son in law & chiefest enemy Birkett Khan & asked for some ammunition.  He also gave us some vague & unsatisfactory information regarding arms.  Finally he dictated a couple of letters to the SNO and political agent.  This morning we left at 7.0 & arrived here (Buyi) about 5.0pm.

Wednesday 8th October 1913- HMS Miner  

Left Larak 4.0am.  Arrived Henjam and coaled & watered.  Arrived Bandur Abbas 9pm with Palinurus mail.

Thursday 9th October 1913- HMS Miner

Left Bandur Abbis 10am, 11.30 course for Muscat owing to trouble with an AB, a thoroughly bad hat I have been trying to get shifted ever since I have been here.

Saturday 11th October 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived Muscat & saw SNO.  The AB got 90 days.

Barka or Barshaw Castle, Oman - 1913

Monday 13th October 1913- HMS Miner

Left for Karachi to give 14 days leave to each watch.  Boil in my armpit rather troublesome.  Arrived at Karachi 6.0pm Friday 17th & secured to bouys.  Saturday. Visited Port Officer Commander Wilson R.I.M.

Monday 27th October 1913 - Baluchistan, India

Started off for Hub river on camels.  Arrived about 4.0pm.  Wilson & one servant with son.  

Tuesday 28th October 1913 - Baluchistan, India

Caught 3½ lb maksear, shot a brace sandgouse.

Wednesday 29th October 1913 - Baluchistan, India

Wilson returned to Mugger Pear via bungalow.  I remained behind & fished (with no result).  Met Ommanly (a policeman) with his family, all on tour.

Thursday am  - Baluchistan, India

Remained at Muggar Pear for morning & shot three couple of snipe and one quail.  In the evening went to Sind Club ball, quite enjoyed it but was not tremendously struck by it.  Left Karachi Tuesday 3rd November at 6.0pm; arrived at Muscat at 8.0pm on Friday 7th.  Found Swiftsure, Fox, Harold & Karanja there.  Sent McQuade to Fox.

Edinburgh Evening News 

Wednesday 5 November 1913

The Territorials.East of Scotland Tactical Society -

The programme of the 28th annual session of the East of Scotland Tactical Socity has been issued by the secretary Lieut-Colonel Stanley Cuthbert. It is on the lines of previous years. There are four war games and ten lectures.The former includes the annual game between the East and West of Scotland Societies, this year at Glasgow. Among the subjects of lectures are "Offensive or Defensive" - - - - (continues) - - - -"The Defense of Positions" by Brigadier-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B. Commanding Coast Defences, Scottish Command; - - - (continues) - - - -

Diary of Lieut. Commander C.H. Heath-Caldwell continues

Monday 10th November 1913- HMS Miner

Left Muscat (on arrival of mail) for Sohar taking Karanja's mail.

Tuesday 11th November 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived off Sohar, no sign of Karanja, anchored off.  Landed with a view to Shikar, however the whole village turned out to meet me.  Shot a few doves (name of village Samar not marked on chart).

To understand all is to excuse all.  Today's great thought.

Wednesday 12th November 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored Khos Fakan.  Inhabitants not very friendly.  

Thursday 13th November 1913- HMS Miner

Met Karanja off Sohar.  Feeling very mouldy.  Took 6 cascara pills.  Saturday, anchored Sunday bad weather, mostly spent in Khor Fakan.

 Volunteer Service Gazette and Military Dispatch

Saturday 15 November 1913

East of Scotland Tactical Society, 17 York Place, Edinburgh.18th Session, 1913-1914 - Lectures commence at 8.30pm. Program

- - - (continues) - - 

January 29 - Lecture - Q.E.R. Headquarters, Forrest Road - "The Defence of Positions," by Brigadier-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B., Commanding Coast Defences, Scottish Command. Chairman: Col. the Rt.Hon. Sir J.H.A. Macdonald, K.C.B.

Diary of Lieut. Commander C.H. Heath-Caldwell continues

Wednesday 19th November 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived Muscat daylight (Swiftsure & Karanja there).  Received mails etc coaled & took in BW.  Lunch with C.-in-C.  Dined at consulate.

Thursday 20th November 1913- HMS Miner

Secured to lower boom of flagship for DW.  Owing to excess of dash carried away foremost wireless mast & topmast.  All replaced by 2.0pm.  Smart piece of work.  Anchored Dymaniyat Island about 7.0pm.

 Volunteer Service Gazette and Military Dispatch

Saturday 22 November 1913

The Advantage of War Games

Last week we referred to the excellent idea of the West of Scotland Tactical Society in having a spectators' table, and we now find that the East of Scotland Tactical Society at Edinburgh, of which Lieut.Col. Stanley Cuthbert is hon. secretary, has an identical arrangement.

- - - (continues) - - -   

For instance, on January 29 Brigadier-General Heath-Caldwell is lecturing on "The Defence of Positions," and a War Game takes place on February 6. - - - (continues) - - - 

Diary of Lieut. Commander C.H. Heath-Caldwell continues

Sunday 23rd November 1913- HMS Miner

Temperature 104° and shivering fits.  Stuffed myself full of quinine.

Monday 24th November 1913- HMS Miner

Muskat for mails.  Been sick.  Tuesday, Wednesday, Barka to Sohar.  Thursday, anchored Khor Fakan.  Boarded about 12 dhows.  Thoroughly searched one. 

Friday 28th November 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored Duhat Haffa an inlet about 2 ½ miles long and 3 to 5 cables broad, depth about 7-9 fathoms.  Hills run sheer up on either side two or three thousand feet.  Remains of several villages to be seen.  Anchored off one with about 50-100 inhabitants.  Apparently nothing to shoot. 

Saturday 29th November 1913- HMS Miner

Sheikh came off to pay his respects, and get medicine.  Much interested in gramaphone.

Monday 1st December 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived Muskat for mails Sunday evening.  Left 3pm Monday after coaling.  Breakfast with Little.

Tuesday 2nd December 1913- HMS Miner

Spent all night off Quoins averaging 2 knots.  North Wester followed by North Easter.  

Wednesday 3rd December 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived Henjam.  Fox, Harold, Marhona & Minto there.  Discovered that we should have met Karanja off Suadi on Tuesday.

Thursday 4th December 1913- HMS Miner

Played five sets of tennis before breakfast with Venables, Legh and Mr Pegg.  In afternoon played football.  Fox left for Banda Abbas at noon.  We were to have left at 10pm, but an auxilary steam pipe burst, & they were all night mending it. 

Friday 5th December 1913- HMS Miner

Left Henjam at 6.00am.  Passed through hole in the wall about 1.30pm.

Saturday 6th December 1913- HMS Miner

Met Karanja off Khor Fakan at daylight, & gave her the mail.  Anchored all day.  Rogers & I shot afternoon 1 sandgrouse, 11 doves.

Sunday 7th December 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored pm about 10 miles north of Sohar.

Monday 8th December 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored pm off As Swaik.

Edinburgh Evening News

Monday 8 December 1913

The Territorials - Efficiency of Leith Battalion.

The annual presentation of prizes was made to the 7th Battalion of Royal Scots Territorial Army at the Drill Hall, Dalmany Street, Leith, on Saturday night by Brigadier-General F.C. Heath-Caldwell C.B., commanding Scottish Coast Defences.

There was a large muster of the Battalion, and the proceedings took the form of a smoking concert, and in addtion to the musical programme there was a display of military pictures by cinemtograph.

Colonel Peebles T.D., presided and was accompanied on the platform by Brigadier-General Heath-Caldwell, Colonel Sir John M. Clark Bart., Col. S. Dunn, secretary of Mid-Lothian Assocation; Capt. Robertson, recruiting staff officer; Major A.W. Sanderson - - - -(continues) - - --

Brigadier-General Heath Caldwell said it was not the fault of those in the Battalion that the strength was not greater, and the only way out of the difficulty was for everyone to become doubly efficient. 

- - - -(continues) - - --

Diary of Lieut. Commander C.H. Heath-Caldwell continues

Tuesday 9th December 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored about one pm off centre group of Dymaniyat Islands.

Wednesday 10th December 1913- HMS Miner

Remained at anchor hands painting side, new departure painting rubbing strake black,  This is owing to our having received about 2 cwt of black paint from Swiftsure. 

Spent part of day sailing in skiff with private rig and keel.  Karanja arrived from Muskat with mails in afternoon.  New memo (very confidential & personal) re armed launches and R.I.M.  The result of rows, R.I.M. are to obey orders, which are to be given in form of requests with every consideration for age & R.I.M. seniority of office concerned.  Mail includes letters from Father, Mother & Mr Bunyard.  Home news, civil war in Ulster getting nearer.  Mr Larkin on the warpath, but I think everyone is getting a bit sick of this stuff.  Dixie getting a little more sensible.

Thursday 11th December 1913

The Gulf is full of important personages.  Admiral Slade and his oil commission have been going the rounds for the last month, apparently to find out whether oil is present in sufficient quantities to make it worth while working it. 

Then there is General Birdwood one of the leading lights of the army touring the Gulf.  Lastly there is the flagship, but there is no particular interest attached to her visit (I should say) except that his ex C.-in-C. thinks that he ought to see a little of the Gulf before he goes home. 

We weighed at 6.15 as usual and have been wandering up the coast looking for dhows, but have discovered nothing but fishing boats.  The steering gear carried away going astern, & the inevitable jet in the feed check valve has gone wrong again.  I fancy most of the steam pipes are rotten & require renewal.

Monday 15th December 1913- HMS Miner

Arrived Muscat daylight, found Sphinx anchored there, breakfast & lunch with Oswald.  Coaled & took in BW in forenoon, alongside Sphinx for drinking water in afternoon, shoving off about 3.30. 

About 3.0 had a shivering fit with temperature 103°, doctor pronounced it malaria.  Recovered sufficiently to play tennis & afterwards called on Cumming.  Felt bad again, came on board & turned in.  Mail had arrived about three thirty. 

Proceeded at 10 oclock for rendezvous.  Strong South Easterly breeze & moderate sea.  Uncomfortable night, but fortunately wind & sea were on quarter.

Tuesday 16th December 1913- HMS Miner

Closed flagship (Swiftsure) after noon.  Shaped course for Khor Fakan.  Still blowing.  Another uncomfortable night.  

Wednesday 17th December 1913- HMS Miner

Made land 4.30 about 6 miles North of Khor Fakan.  7.30 anchored Khor Fakan.  Sent mails to Mashona & Stared.  Breakfast with Venables. 

10.30 Proceeded rolling like devil.  Felt a bit squeamish and could only manage beef tea for lunch.  Very choppy off Lima where we got into race.  Finally decided to anchor for night which we did in a well sheltered spot Duhal Kabul, just before dark. 

Landed and caught a good size garfish which foolishly jumped onto the beach.  Cumming seems (or says) he thinks this oil commission is an elaborate blind for something else.  Apparently Sultan Bey not yet signed treaty.

Thursday 18th December 1913- HMS Miner 

Arrived Henjam about 4.0pm, found Karanja & Minto there.  After coming through hole in wall wind changed to Shamel so we had it against us nearly all the time.  From 2 to 3pm we had heavy rain.

Friday 19th December 1913- HMS Miner

Astern of Minto for water at 6.0am.  Shoved off 8.0am.  Minto left for Basida.  In afternoon went pigeon shooting with Rogers.  He got two pigeons & a few doves.  The pigeons were found in disused salt pits. Afterwards played one set tennis.  Dined in Karanja. 

Blowing strong Shamel all night.  

Saturday 20th December 1913

Left Henjam 6.30am.  Beam sea rolling at lot.  Most uncomfortable.  Ran into Kumzar cove for shelter at one pm.  Landed & climbed hills.

Sunday 21st December 1913

Anchored at Al Badi after dark.  Weather good.

Monday 22nd December 1913- HMS Miner

Landed Al Badi 6.00pm - 9.0.  Bought small calf.  Very good sport shooting doves, no palms, some quite sporting shots.  Only brought back four but got rid of plenty of cartridges.  Anchored pm off Sakamkam? about 15 miles south of Khor Fakan.

Tuesday 23rd December 1913- HMS Miner

Landed 6am with Mr Webber.  Walked along through edge of gardens.  Saw & chased two coveys of partridges, but missed them all.  Plenty of thorn fences about 3-5 feet high which required some negotiating.  Bought back four doves. 

4.0pm anchored Khor Fakan after boarding a pearler on his way from Sharjar to Sokotra.  Landed, saw two partridges one of which I chased for some time, but couldn't hit anything.  Had shot at several doves but returned empty handed. 

Cook put in request to leave - (presumably one reason Cuthbert seemed to spend so much time shooting animals was to provide food for the crew - JJHC). 

About 8.00pm observed search lights on NE horizon.  Fired three rockets, weighed & proceeded in direction of lights.  We went on until 11pm , but saw nothing more & finally stopped for the night, our hopes of getting a mail being frustrated. 

Wednesday 24th December 1913- HMS Miner

Anchored Khor Fakan about 1.0pm.  Some of the sailors landed to get green stuff for decorations.  The Sheikh appears to have been upset by this, but very little if any damage was done.  I think he is rather a cantankerous individual. 

I landed about three oclock to the south of the village & walked right up to the northern end.  The gardens there are quite wild with patches of scrub between the palm trees.  Put up three partridges but failed to get them.  Bag two doves and a snippet.

Thursday 25th December 1913 Christmas Day- HMS Miner

In forenoon all hands landed and played cricket.  The ground was soft sand & even with the coconut mat conditions were not good.  However it passed away the forenoon & gave everyone some exercise & fresh air. 

The mess deck was decorated most successfully.  After sailors had got outside their dinner, the gunner & I were asked down to have a drink, & we stayed there about two hours.  A short sleep, then Mr Webber & I pulled the skiff up to the Northern end of the bay where I landed with Dixie & a gun, but it was too late to stay long & I did not shoot anything. 

Then back to an early dinner at 6.30, after which a sing song was held on deck which lasted till ten oclock.  All the songsters had a chance of airing their voices, & on the whole I think we may say that Christmas day of 1914 was a success. (presumably he ment 1913)  The two ducks were scuppered & were quite good.

Friday 26th December 1913 - HMS Miner

Weighed 6.45.  Anchored off Majis pm.

Saturday 27th December 1913 - HMS Miner

Landed with interpreter 6.0am.  First walked through jungle ( thorn scrub etc) to Northward of palms.  Put up several partridges.  Dropped one, but he must have been a runner as we failed to pick him up. 

On way back put up several more partridges but failed to get any.  Got one bird (shrike? red wattled lapwing?) description follows.  On way back to beach discovered pool of brackish water with a spring at one end.  Several herons etc there and three ducks (the first I have seen in the Gulf).  They got up just out of range.  Shot a dove near water. 

Returned on board to a hearty breakfast at 9.30.  Shrike (?) was fair eating.  Bearings off anchorage post about 100yards from sea in line with Sohar peak. 2 ½ fathoms, Sohar Peak SSW ½ W , village Majis (Sheikh's House) S ¼ E, North Peak W ¾ S.

Description of bird - HMS Miner

Walking about (alone?) apparently feeding on ploughed ground under palms.  Head, black with white marking at sides, red wattles over eyes.  Bill, red, black tip; Back, mouse colour.  Wings long & narrow, black primary small features white.  White breast & tail, latter with horizontal black band, legs yellow.  Beak 1-4inches, wings tip to tip 27inches, legs 7inches, Top of head to tail 12inches.

Sunday 28th December 1913 - HMS Miner

Anchored Muscat 8.0pm.  Received revised sailing orders from consulate.  Minto in Muscat.

Monday 29th December 1913 - HMS Miner

Mail arrived am.  Collected mails & parcels for Sphinx & Harold.  Coaled & watered.  

pm played tennis.  10pm proceeded for rendezvous with Sphinx.  Mail included usual letters & some cigarettes from Pincher.

Tuesday 30 December 1913 - HMS Miner

Sighted Harold at daylight, shortly afterwards Fox & Sphinx.  Received last weeks mail, two turkeys & a ham from Fox.  Transferred mails to Sphinx.  Weather moderate.  Thunder lightning and rain at night.  Killed turkey hen.

Wednesday 31st December 1913 - HMS Miner

Stopped off little Quoin & visited Homer & examined lighthouse.  Light to be burning 28th January.  Landing rather difficult.  Anchored Henjam pm.  Did not land.  Dinner in Karanja.  Afterwards she left for Quoins.  Run during month 1500 miles.