This is the story of the first ship to bear the name HMS Cossack, a name later carried by five more ships and commemorated by the Royal Navy in the Cossack Building at HMS Raleigh. This facility trains navies from around the world in boarding and searching vessels—a tradition inspired by the actions of the fifth ship of the name during the Altmark Incident.

Originally launched as Pandor, she was renamed Cossack in 1806. An interesting note: one of her captains was George Digby, whose descendant now serves as President of the HMS Cossack Association.

Ships Company (1806-1816)

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Remarks: When admitted to Greenwich Hospital School: Not Stated. Parents' names: Thomas and Elizabeth Holbrook. Applicant born 5 May 1817. Father died March 1823 and previously served on board HMS Cossack until 1807.

Pay Book Number: ML 10
Rank: Private Royal Marine
Relation: Mother Mary
When Allotted: 1807

Remarks: Discharged 17 August 1809 to Plymouth Headquarters.

Pay Book Number: SB 64
Rank: Gunner’s Mate
Relation: Wife Sarah
When Allotted: 1812

Remarks: Discharged 16 August 1814 to HMS Vengeur.

Pay Book Number: SB 9
Rank: Master's Mate
Relation: Wife Pleasance
When Allotted: 1807

Remarks: Discharged 7 January 1811 to HMS Lavinia.

Pay Book Number: SB 312
Rank: Able Seaman
Relation: Wife Sarah
When Allotted: 1812

Remarks: alias William Danford / Dunford.
Discharged 23 December 1812 to HMS Cossack.
Discharged 10 July 1815 to HMS Prince.

Pay Book Number: SB 97
Rank: Landsman
Relation: Mother Dorcas
When Allotted: 1807

Remarks: Discharged 10 July 1815 to HMS Wye.

Pay Book Number: ML 6
Rank: Sergeant Royal Marine
Relation: Wife Mary
When Allotted: 1809

Remarks: Discharged 2 August 1809 to Plymouth headquarters.

Pay Book Number: SB 165
Rank: Carpenter's Crew
Relation: Wife Ann
When Allotted: 1808

Remarks: Deserted (date not given).

Pay Book Number: ML 5
Rank: Private Royal Marine
Relation: Wife Jane
When Allotted: 1813

Remarks: Discharged (no date given) to HMS Aboukir.

Pay Book Number: SB 83
Rank: Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: 1807

Remarks: Discharged from HMS Aimable 15 July 1807 to HMS Cossack.
Discharged 28 January 1808 to sick quarters.

Hidden Gems

The first HMS Cossack in 1814 had 3 Captains from March to August of 1814. Sibly, Weymss and Rodney.

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1806-1816

This is the account of the first vessel named HMS Cossack, a title that would be passed on to five later ships and commemorated by the Royal Navy in the Cossack Building at HMS Raleigh.

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1854-1875

The second Cossack was originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles. However, when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, Russia sold the vessels to the Hamburg trading firm Henry Mersk & Co.

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1886-1905

This account covers the third vessel named HMS Cossack. Launched on 3 June 1886 and in service until 1905, she spent the majority of her career in the Far East, calling at India, Aden, Ceylon (Sri Lanka), and other ports.

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1907-1919

The fourth HMS Cossack received the first Battle Honour for participating in operations along the Belgian coast from 17 October to 8 November 1914. This section contains copies of the original construction contract and detailed plans showing her launch, deck arrangements, and machinery.

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1938-1941

Credited with battle honours including Baltic 1855, Witu 1890, Dover Patrol 1914–1919, Narvik 1940, Norway 1940, Atlantic 1940–1941, the Bismarck Action 1941, and the Malta Convoys 1941, the HMS Cossack in service from 1938 to 1941 was a formidable presence.

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1944-1960

During Warship Week in February 1942, the town of Esher raised £1,192,211, contributing to the construction of the warship HMS Cossack. The funds were collected by the public depositing money into a rubber-type float in a pool. Remarkably, the surplus was enough to fund a submarine as well. The story continues.

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