IOR/L/MAR/C/915

A daily diary which Midshipmen were required to keep as part of their training, the purpose of which was to train Midshipmen in observation, expression and orderliness, and which was regularly inspected by the supervising officer and the Captain. Midshipmen were to record in their own language their observations about all matters of interest or importance in the work carried on, on their stations, in their Fleet, and in their Ship, illustrating them with plans and sketches. The journal was required to be produced at the examination in seamanship for the rank of Lieutenant.

Mr Davenport's journal covers the Second World War service of HMS Malaya as a convoy escort between May and October 1943, and HMS Duke of York as an escort to convoys in the north sea and the Artic between October 1943 and August 1944, and includes an account of the battle with the German battleship Scharnhorst. It also includes the following:

• map of Scapa Flow
• track chart of HMS Malaya (from the Pentland Firth to the Firth of Clyde), 24 May to 24 June 1943
• diagram of sheer legs such as were used on 6 July
• map of Sicily
• diagram showing the laying out of a stream anchor
• maps showing the Sicilian Front at 12 August 1943 and the Russian Front at 13 August 1943
• electrical diagram of a 36 inch Mk VIb lamp
• diagram showing a typical safety arrangement and idle movement at a BL gun - breech closed
• section plan of HMS Malaya at B Turret
• drawings of HMS Duke of York and HMS Dido
• map of Kola Inlet [Russia] from Admiralty chart
• chart showing the sinking of the Scharnhorst, 26 December 1943, based on the radar plot of HMS Duke of York
• sketch showing the principal berths in Scapa Flow
• plan showing the fire mains
• diagram showing the strength members of a ships structure
• diagram of steering gear