This is the story of the second ship to bear the name HMS Cossack.

Originally ordered by Russia for the Black Sea Fleet in December 1852 at a cost of 290,000 silver roubles, the ship was sold to the Hamburg trading house of Henry Mersk & Co. when relations between Britain and Russia deteriorated, as Russia feared possible confiscation.

The original contract price for the vessel, then named Witjas (Cossack), was £46,198, including £16,750 for machinery. The Admiralty subsequently paid the contractors £9,591 to complete the contract (of which £4,187 was for machinery), plus £751 for tonnage exceeding the specification and £2,206 for modifications for His Majesty’s service. The ship remained in service until 1875.

Year by Year

Discover the history of the HMS Cossack from 1854 to 1875.

You can search the ‘year’ and ‘month’ to find a specific date and also ‘click’ on the date itself to reveal any images and moments from that date.

04 September 1871

Wind  north westerly force 4 becoming westerly force 3.

Raised screw for inspection. Employed returning sails and drawing Boatswains stores.

05 September 1871

Calm  becoming south force 2. Barometer 30.50 inches.

Rove new lower rigging lanyards and set up lower rigging.

06 September 1871

Wind south easterly force 3 to 4  becoming calm.

Employed returning condemned stores, setting up lower rigging and refitting ship.

1130. HMS ICARUS sailed.. Employed setting up Topmast rigging and rattling down lower rigging.

07 September 1871

Wind south easterly force 4 becoming SSE force 5 to 6. Barometer 30.03 inches.

Employed refitting ship.

08 September 1871

Calm all day. Maximum temperature 76F.

Dockyard party ashore. Employed as requisite.

09 September 1871

Calm becoming SSE force 2.

Employed cleaning ship.

10 September 1871

Wind SSE force 2 becoming calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.32 inches.

Performed Divine service.

11 September 1871

Wind calm becoming south westerly force 1.

Dockyard party ashore.

12 September 1871

Wind south easterly force 2  increasing to 3 to 4.

Watch as requisite, repairing sails.

13 September 1871

Calm all day. Barometer 30.16 inches.

Swung ship with small kedge anchor for firing at target. Received Engineers and Carpenters stores.

14 September 1871

Wind westerly force 2 becoming SW force 2.

0720 English steamer CAROLINA arrived with Government stores. Sent working party of 30 men in clearing CAROLINA of stores. Employed as most requite.

15 September 1871

Calm all day. Barometer 30.20 inches. Maximum temperature 70F

16 September 1871

Wind south westerly force 2 becoming southerly force 4.

Cleaning ship throughout. Party at dockyard storing stores.

17 September 1871

Wind southerly force 6. Barometer 30.39 inches. Maximum temperature 60F.

Mustered by the Open List. Strong southerly   wind. Down Top gallant masts.

18 September 1871

SSE force 4 becoming light airs.

Employed as requisite.. Sailmakers repairing Trysails. Down mizzen Topmast to repair mast head.

19 September 1871

Wind WSW force 2 becoming SW force 2. Barometer 30.10 inches.

Sent party to dockyard. Employed as requisite. Up Top gallant masts. Ships company bathed. Exercised at Night Quarters.

21 September 1871

Wind south westerly force 1.

1030. Manned and armed boats firing shot, shell, case and rockets at a mark. Making and mending clothes.

22 September 1871

Wind south westerly force 1 to 2 becoming SW force 2.

Exercised at General and Fire Quarters. Sailmakers making launches coverers. Employed picking oakum, pointing ropes as required.

23 September 1871

Wind SE force 2 becoming SW force 4.

Employed cleaning sip throughout.

24 September 1871

Wind variable force 2 decreasing to force 1.

Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. Performed Divine Service.

Hidden Gems

The Island of Kotka was attacked in 1855, but the garrison had already departed: barracks, stores and magazines etc were destroyed and the squadron left, leaving COSSACK in charge of the Island.

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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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