Diary kept by Charles Pettman during a voyage to the west coast of America on HMS SHEARWATER in 1908-1909. The diary covers the usual routine of the ship as well as evening entertainment such as concerts. On Thursday 25 March Pettman mentions seeing two people who deserted the last time they were at San Diego, and that one of the deserters wanted to rejoin. The back of the diary logs the ports they stopped at, the distance travelled and the coal taken during the 71 days at sea.

Administrative / biographical background
Charles Henry Pettman, alias Charles Henry George Davison born 22 September 1887, Minister, Kent. He died during the First World War, 5 September 1914, on HMS PATHFINDER. His records are held by the National Archives under his official number 226607 https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D6729118