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).

Year by Year

Discover the history of the HMS Cossack from 1886 to 1905.

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.

08 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with overcast sky. Barometer at 0800 30.06 inches falling to 29.96 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon 92F. 0900. Refitting and painting ship. Cleaning stores. 1400 as in the forenoon. Number on sick list 21.

09 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm overcast with drizzle clearing towards noon. Barometer at 0800 30.08 inches falling to 29.96 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon 88F. 0730 HMS Griffin arrived. 0900. Employed rattling down. Painting masts and refitting yards. 1400. As in forenoon. Number on sick list 20.

10 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800 30.10 inches falling to 29.96 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon 92F. 0900. Employed rattling down, painting and refitting. 1400. As in the forenoon. Number on sick list 12.

11 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800 30.00 inches falling to 29.88 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon. 90F. 0900. Employed painting and refitting. 1400. Painting and refitting. Number on sick list 13.

12 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with blue sky. Barometer at 0800 29.92 inches rising to 29.96 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon 95F. 0900. Employed turning out anchor, painting and flacking down. 1400. Painting and flacking down. Number on sick list 12.

13 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800. 19.96 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 29.37 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon 88F. 0800. Sent Roman Catholics and Wesleyans to chapel. 1000. Mustered by divisions and performed divine Service at sailors Home. 1430. Sent funeral party to intern the remains of the late H. Colby Gunner RMA. Number on sick list 10.

14 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800 29.84 inches rising to 29.86 inches at noon and then remaining steady. Temperature at noon. 92F. 0900. Refitting ship and as requisite. 1400. As requisite. 1700. HMS Boadicea (Flag) sailed. Number on sick list 10.

15 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800 30.02 inches falling to 29.98 inches at 1600. Temperature at noon. 93F. 0800. HMS Euphrates sailed. 0900. Port watch storing ammunition. Starboard watch variously. 1400. As in the forenoon. Number on sick list 10.

16 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches at 0800 falling to 29.90 at 1600. Temperature at noon 92F. 0900. Employed storing ammunition and as required. 1400. As in the forenoon. 1600. Discharged Mr M. C. Murdock to hospital. Number on sick list 14.

17 April 1890

In dock at Bombay. Wind NW by N force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800. 29.94 falling to 29.84 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.90 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0500. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Ship’s company turned over to ship from Sailors Home. 0930. Proceeded out of dock and secured to buoy in harbour. 1000. Employed launching boats and as requisite. 1100. Watering ship. Received 2 tons. Noon. Wind west force 2. 1230. HMS Griffin sailed. …

In dock at Bombay. Wind NW by N force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer at 0800. 29.94 falling to 29.84 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.90 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0500. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Ship’s company turned over to ship from Sailors Home. 0930. Proceeded out of dock and secured to buoy in harbour. 1000. Employed launching boats and as requisite. 1100. Watering ship. Received 2 tons. Noon. Wind west force 2. 1230. HMS Griffin sailed. 1400. Employed getting in ammunition. 1430. Took the Guard. 1700. Washed clothes. Privilege leave to watch. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

18 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NE force q with broken cloud. Barometer 29.89 inches rising to 29.92 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 and finishing at 29.92 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. 0430. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. HMS Sphinx relieved the Guard. 0900. Employed storing magazines and cleaning hold. 1400. As in the forenoon. 1500. Watered ship receiving 3 tons. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 14.

19 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.92 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 before falling to 29.88 at 1600 and finishing at 29.95 inches. Temperature at noon 89F. 0530. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Starboard watch drawing provisions. Port watch storing magazine. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1400. Provisioning ship. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 14.

20 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90inches rising to 29.94 t 0800 before falling to 29.90 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.90 inches. Temperature at noon 86F. 0530. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. HMS Sphinx relieved the Guard. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0945. Mustered by Divisions and Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind west force 1. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 13.

21 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind south force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 before falling to 29.83 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.88 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0430. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0930. Coaling ship. Noon wind SW force 2. 1300. Issued soap and tobacco to Ship’s company. 1430. Coaling ship. 1500. Received 103 lbs of fresh beef and 54 lbs of vegetables. 1845. Finished coal…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind south force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 before falling to 29.83 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.88 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0430. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0930. Coaling ship. Noon wind SW force 2. 1300. Issued soap and tobacco to Ship’s company. 1430. Coaling ship. 1500. Received 103 lbs of fresh beef and 54 lbs of vegetables. 1845. Finished coaling. Received 224 tons. Coal expended 3 cwt. Coal remaining 310 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

22 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SSW force 2 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.95 at noon before falling to 29.89 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.98 inches. Temperature at noon. 85F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0715. Transport SOMALI arrived. 0730. HMS Sphinx relieved the Guard. 0900. Starboard watch drawing powder. Remainder of hands cleaning ship. 1100. Mr S. Rankin Engineer joined the ship. Noon Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1330. As in the…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SSW force 2 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.95 at noon before falling to 29.89 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.98 inches. Temperature at noon. 85F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0715. Transport SOMALI arrived. 0730. HMS Sphinx relieved the Guard. 0900. Starboard watch drawing powder. Remainder of hands cleaning ship. 1100. Mr S. Rankin Engineer joined the ship. Noon Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1330. As in the forenoon. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

23 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 2 with broken cloud, lightning and squalls. Barometer 29.88 inches rising to 30.85 at 1600 before finishing at midnight at 29.92 inches. Temperature at noon 86F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530. Received 114 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Party drawings powders. 1000. HMS Sphinx proceeded into dock. 1100. Cleaning ship. Noon Wind WNW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed getting in powder. 1730. Mustered…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 2 with broken cloud, lightning and squalls. Barometer 29.88 inches rising to 30.85 at 1600 before finishing at midnight at 29.92 inches. Temperature at noon 86F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530. Received 114 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Party drawings powders. 1000. HMS Sphinx proceeded into dock. 1100. Cleaning ship. Noon Wind WNW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed getting in powder. 1730. Mustered at Quarters. Read warrant number 29. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

24 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SSW force 2, cloudy with passing showers and lightning. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.86 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.90 inches. Temperature at noon 82F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530 Received 108 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables. 0800. Employed storing magazines and cleaning ship. Noon. Wind calm with overcast sky and passing showers. 1400. Cleaning ship. HMS Pigeon came out of dock. SOMALI proce…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SSW force 2, cloudy with passing showers and lightning. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.86 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.90 inches. Temperature at noon 82F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530 Received 108 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables. 0800. Employed storing magazines and cleaning ship. Noon. Wind calm with overcast sky and passing showers. 1400. Cleaning ship. HMS Pigeon came out of dock. SOMALI proceeded into dock. 1500. Took the Guard. 1700. Scrubbed hammocks and washed clothing. Coal expended 1 to 10 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

25 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.95 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 at finishing at midnight at 29.92 inches. Temperature at noon. 86F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0500. Received 112 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Exercised at General Quarters and man and arm ship. 1030. Watered ship. 1130. Employed variously. Noon. Wind NW wit…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.95 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 at finishing at midnight at 29.92 inches. Temperature at noon. 86F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0500. Received 112 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Exercised at General Quarters and man and arm ship. 1030. Watered ship. 1130. Employed variously. Noon. Wind NW with broken cloud. 1330. Employed launching and hoisting boats and as requisite. 1700. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

26 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.88 inches rising to 29.94 at noon before falling to 29.86 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.94 inches. Temperature at noon. 84F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0500. Received 112 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0930. Cleaning ship. 1300. Cleaning ship. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 13.

27 April 1890

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.98 at noon before falling to 29.90 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.94 inches. Temperature at noon. 85F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0600. Sent Roman Catholic and Wesleyans to chapel. 0730. HMS Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Performed Divine Service. 1100. Discharged Engineer Mr Thompson to mail s…

Secured to buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.98 at noon before falling to 29.90 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.94 inches. Temperature at noon. 85F. 0430. Steam up in cutter. 0530. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0600. Sent Roman Catholic and Wesleyans to chapel. 0730. HMS Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Performed Divine Service. 1100. Discharged Engineer Mr Thompson to mail steamer. Noon. Wind west force 2. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list15.

Hidden Gems

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

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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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