176 "France" June 8th 1926. Strong breeze. Occasional squalls. Position lat: 21°8' S. long: 170°34'. Sightless ahead. Reduced speed in order to arrive about day light. Lights, well re at 8 to. June 9th Similar weather as yesterday. Arrived & anchored inside drying lot at noon. Engine room, Interviewed shore people regarding health of the islanders before sending boats in for water. Lty., well re att'd b. Night watch kept. June 10th Scrammed rudder in so far as it was possible but could see nothing wrong. Steel & rivets appeared to work uniformly, New jetting fresh water. Night watch kept. June 11th Heavy rain & squalls. Crew cleaning up holds & various duties. Lights well re attd b b night watch kept. June 12th Strong S.E. wind, jib & clew. Crew employed cleaning storeroom & cleaning ship, and preparing for sea. Night watch kept. June 13th Observed the Sabbath. Similar weather as yesterday. Night watch kept. June 14th Hoisted boats to. once again (for water) weighed & proceeded for Port Vila. 4 p.m. Cleared Island set course NW. Lights, well re attd b. Signs lb to. June 15th Mod. St wind. Fair & clear. Bar 30·20 noon: . Fomango has been NNE distant 7 miles. lights well re attd b. June 16th 6 a.m. Sightless Perigo Pt. St. 10 a.m. Cleared Port & so jibs to stho at Port Vila. Granted Pralique. Lty, well re att'd b. Night watch kept. 177 "France" June 17th 6·25: Remained at Port Vila strong & changing minor repairs. Weather showery throughout with shifts of wind from the to west on the night of 9th, which caused a heavy swell to run in on the Vage. Lights, well re att'd b to the observation turned throughout this period. Barometer ranged from 30·10 to 30·20 & dropped to 29·92 on the 18th. June 21st Strong S.E. wind. Prepared for sea. 10 a.m. commenced to leave up. 10/30 Blues started under power only. Sail & power used to work vessel to Palao Bay (N side of Efate Isl. dist 3 miles). Arrived & tied there at 1 p.m. Engine used 6 cwt. Weather showery & squally. Bar: 29·98" Lty, well re att'd b night watch kept. June 22nd Still in oncast water. Bar: 30·00". Yan loaded parts for shooting. June 23rd 6 to 29 Remained at the morning made on the 21st & parties cancelled daily for collecting purposes except Sunday when the Sabbath was observed. Weather fair & clear with rare showers during this period. Barometer ranged between 30·55" - 30·28" Wind N.N to S.S through N to E. Parties work & ship cleaning & repairing occupied the crew. June 31st Shifted ship at 6 a.m. 9 miles N of the Labor Vage. Party landed as usual. July 1st - 3rd Remained at the latter Vage collecting. Bar: 30·15" July 5th Shifted ship to Agana lot. Engine used slow. Collecting as usual. Ship's maintenance & carried out. July 6th Sunday — Observed the day. Bar: 30·05". Wind is S.W. Pass. Fine & clear.