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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Brendon

Rank: Lieutenant Commander

Remarks: Came onboard 16 February 1897 at Aden.

Buchannan, R

Rank: Private. RMLI

Remarks: Discharged HMS Pembroke at 1315 on 1 September 1898 to await trial by Court Martial.

Burt

Remarks: Joined from P&O at Colombo 4 November 1897 for passage to Flag Ship.

Butler, F.G.P.

Rank: Naval cadet

Remarks: Joined for passage to “Boadicea” at 1615 on 17 January 1889. Discharged to HMS Turquoise on 9 March 1889. Later rejoined as Lieutenant at Bushire 22 February 1898.

Carpeudale, G.

Rank: Lieutenant

Remarks: Joined 11 July 1900 at 0800 at Muscat. Noted for disobedience on 5 August 1901. Discharged to hospital at Bombay 12 June 1900.

Carr, W

Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Discharged to hospital 0630 on 12 September 1900 at Muscat. Then discharged to HMS Sphinx for hospital passage.

Cartwright, Montagu G.

Rank: Commander

Remarks: Joined at Muscat at 1000 on 3 October 1900. Onboard to March 1903.

Castle, G

Remarks: Discharged at 1300 on 2 August 1900 at Muscat for passage.

Chard, T.

Rank: Stoker

Remarks: Returned onboard from hospital at 1700 on 7 July 1898 at Aden.

Christie, A.L.

Rank: Surgeon

Remarks: Joined at Devonport 1 January 1889.

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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