This is the history of the third ship to bear the name HMS Cossack. Launched on 3 June 1886, she remained in service until 1905. Most of her career was spent in the Far East, visiting ports such as India, Aden, and Ceylon (Sri Lanka), among others.

The records also provide an interesting insight into daily life aboard, including how the crew were fed. Rations typically included 120 lbs of beef or meat, 60 lbs of vegetables, and 162 lbs of bread per day, with slight variations depending on the number of crew members. There is no reference to the daily tot of rum, which had been issued from 1866. This consisted of 1/8 of an imperial pint of rum at 95.5 proof (54.6% ABV), usually served at midday. Petty Officers and above received their rum neat, while Seamen had theirs diluted with two parts water to make 3/8 of an imperial pint (213 ml).

Ships Company

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Davies, P

Rank: Chief Engineer
When Allotted: 28 January 1895

Remarks: Joined ship whilst it was in dry dock at Bombay

Allam

Rank: Commander

Remarks: Name in log on 5 November 1893

Allens, C

Remarks: Died 12 July 1900 whilst ship anchor at Muscat. Cause not given. Buried at sea outside the harbour.

Armitage, Sydney Travers

Rank: Lieutenant

Remarks: Died onboard on 1 November 1897 from gunshot wounds self-inflicted whilst of unsound mind. Buried ashore at Trincomalee, Ceylon. Effects auctioned in Aden on 18 May 1898.

Bansdior?, John

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Taken ashore for internment on 8 April 1889 at Zanzibar. Cause of death unknown.

Battle

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Discharged to hospital at 0830 Sunday 3 February 1902 whilst moored at Bombay.

Beale, R

Remarks: Discharged to HMS Magdala at Bombay at 1900 22 March 1898.

Boston, T

Rank: Ordinary Seaman

Remarks: Joined from hospital at 1900 on 8 July 1898 at Aden. Garrison (Next word smudged).

Brandon, C.G.R

Rank: Lieutenant

Remarks: Discharged to HMS Sphinx Friday 22 February 1898 at Bushire.

Bray, R.O.

Rank: Paymaster

Remarks: Joined at Devonport 1 January 1889.
Died at 0020 7 March 1889 – cause unknown. Buried at sea at 0915 same day at 1.25S 43.26E.

Hidden Gems

Unsurprisingly, on the 24th December 1894 over 15 crew members were on the sick list. The day before Christmas!

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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