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February 15, 1899, Clear and fine. Gentle SE breeze. Course SW by W1/2W. Sighted several steamers during the forenoon. Had physical exercise, and drilled at fire quarters. All divisions ready in 2 1/2 minutes. Exercised at man overboard, boat in water less than 2 minutes. Buoy picked up in 9 minutes. The patent log was hauled in, owing to this drill, as we were afraid to buoy would get foul of log line. L. Schamberg, Marine, was placed under sentry’s charge to await trial by Summary Court-Martial for leaving post without being regularly relieved. Exchanged colors with the German Steamer "Ascension" bound to the N'd and E'd - smooth sea. Blowing a gale latter part of the afternoon. Sea choppy. Stranahan, one week extra duty for disturbing during fire drill.

Threw overboard 13 hair and 13 wire mattresses. Bright moonlight. Reduce speed, so as to get our bearings in the morning. 

Lat 10 degrees 50’ S at noon DR

Long 35° 55’  W at noon DR

Distance made good since noon February 14 284 miles 

Wrote to J. 

Read "Venus and Otello" Shakespeare.

February 16, 1899. Clear and pleasant. Light breeze from S. E. Course SW by W1/2W. At 5:49 went ahead full speed and changed course to WSW1/2W. Land in sight on starboard beam. At 7:13 changed course to W1/4S. Itapuan Light House on starboard bow - A number of sail in sight. Passing showers, and light variable breezes from SE and SSE. Stood into the harbor of Bahia at 9:10, the ship being coursed by the Navigator.  I stationed at whistle and annunciation. Made international signal BDQM (Hampton Roads) which was answered. At 9:55 let go starboard anchor, in 9 fathoms (54 foot) of water. Fired a salute of 21 guns with the Brazilian flag at the main – Fort Ian Marcello du Mars returned the salute. Sent gig ashore in charge of an officer for U.S. Consul, who arrived on board at 11:45 Dis – connected, and let fires die out. Kept steam on one boiler, British steamer "Cavour" came in. Portuguese steamer went out. Raining very hard towards evening. Wrote to J. telling of our safe arrival. Thunder and lightning at intervals.  Read "Merchant of Venice" "Julius Caesar" Shakespeare.