The log includes the usual administrative remarks and weather observations, together with detailed lists of the ship's company and passengers. Lists of the ship's company and passengers on the outward journey are kept at front of the volume, and a list of passengers and invalided troops on the return voyage is at the rear of the volume. A note has been made when a member of the ship's company is discharged, promoted or dies: the death of seven of the invalid troops on the return journey is also noted. The back of the book also has various notes about the ship's provisions and stores. The log begins with the ship being loaded at the East India Dock in Blackwall and waiting at anchor in Northfleet Hope before setting sail for India.

Administrative / biographical background
The log covers the fifth voyage of THOMAS GRENVILLE, captained by Richard Alsager. The ship transported 354 men of the 21st Regiment of Light Dragoons to Bengal, along with 63 women and children who were accompanying the regiment and 18 regular passengers. The Light Dragoons are likely to have been travelling to India in preparation for the third Anglo-Maratha War in 1817-1818, which saw the British East India Company secure control of most of India. Faint writing on the top right corner of the title page suggests the log may have been kept by the ship's chief mate Charles Shea.