The DAPHNE log includes routine accounts of weather and ports in which the ship was docked. However, although they are described by Pike as ‘logs’ the manuscripts read more like diaries and descriptions of routine matters are accompanied by descriptions of seeing old friends and accounts of cricket being played, often against local teams. On another occasion a young rating ‘falls off’ the train on which they are being transported; evidence, perhaps, that the navy belong at sea. Such activities nicely balance some of the comments about international tensions that are recorded. On one occasion it is reported that the Russians have taken three American whalers who encroached into their waters.

The log also contains a table of places visited by the DAPHNE, with dates of arrival and departure and distance between ports.