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.

09 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind E force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 106 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 144 lbs of bread. 0800. Employed surveying and laying down chain cable. Noon. Wind NE force 1. 1330. As in the forenoon. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

10 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind ENE force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 115 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 142 lbs of bread. 0730. Gave general leave to port watch. 0900. Employed scraping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind ENE force 1. 1330. As in the forenoon. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

11 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 103 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 179 lbs of bread. 0800. Employed painting mess decks and as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2.1600. Lost by accident from boats. Boats Flinders bars, 5 x Pattern 1207 and 4 x Pattern 1218. (A bar of soft iron mounted on a binnacle to compensate for local magnetism causing error to the compass). Coal expended…

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 103 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 179 lbs of bread. 0800. Employed painting mess decks and as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2.1600. Lost by accident from boats. Boats Flinders bars, 5 x Pattern 1207 and 4 x Pattern 1218. (A bar of soft iron mounted on a binnacle to compensate for local magnetism causing error to the compass). Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

12 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind ENE force 2 to 3 with blue sky. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 108 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 244 lbs of bread. 0900. Employed painting and as requisite. 100. Up topmasts. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1230. Working party returned. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

13 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given.0700. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0800. Steam up in cutter. 0945. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1100. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NNW force 1. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 8 cwt. 6 tons 5 cwt remaining. Number on sick list 9.

14 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 108 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 244 lbs of bread. 0600. HMS Marathon sailed. 0900. Starboard watch drawing shell. Port watch scraping and painting. 1130. HMS Pigeon sailed. 1330. Employed getting in shell, painting and as requisite. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

15 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0900. Employed storing shell rooms. Delivering sails, painting and as requisite. 1145. HMS Pigeon arrived. Noon. Wind NW 2. 1330. Employed storing shell rooms and painting. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

16 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 150 lbs of bread. 0900. Employed bending sails, painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1210 HMS Marathon arrived. 1400. Employed as in forenoon. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

17 December 1891

In dock at Bombay. Wind NE 2 with broken cloud. Barometer and temperature readings not given. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 160 lbs of bread. 0900. HMS Marathon sailed. 100. Employed spreading awnings and as requisite. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 1330. Turned over Ships company from “TEMERAIRE” (?) to COSSACK. Midnight. Proceeded out of dock. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 13.

18 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 before falling to 30.06 at 2000 and finishing at midnight at 30.11 inches. Temperature at noon 79F. 1240. Made fast to number 11 buoy. 0400. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 226 lbs of bread. 0600. Steam up in cutter. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Port watch cleaning. Starboard watch drawing Quick Fire ammunition. 1130. Coaling ship. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 133…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 before falling to 30.06 at 2000 and finishing at midnight at 30.11 inches. Temperature at noon 79F. 1240. Made fast to number 11 buoy. 0400. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 226 lbs of bread. 0600. Steam up in cutter. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Port watch cleaning. Starboard watch drawing Quick Fire ammunition. 1130. Coaling ship. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 1330. Coaling ship. 1645. Finished coaling. Received 215 tons. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

19 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.08 inches rising to 30.16 at 0800 before falling to 30.10 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12inches. Temperature at noon. 79F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 235 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0900. Employed getting in and storing Quick Fire ammunition. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1300. HMS Marathon arrived. 1400. Employed storing Quick fire magazine…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.08 inches rising to 30.16 at 0800 before falling to 30.10 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12inches. Temperature at noon. 79F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 235 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0900. Employed getting in and storing Quick Fire ammunition. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1300. HMS Marathon arrived. 1400. Employed storing Quick fire magazine. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 15.

20 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind ENE force 1. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.16 at 0800 before falling to 30.10 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. Temperature at noon. 79F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to Chapel. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1100 performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1710. Mustered art Quarters. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 17.

21 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.09 inches rising to 30.14 at 0800 before falling to 30.03 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. Temperature at noon 79F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 235 lbs of bread. 0700. Tested lifebuoys. Found correct. . 0900. Port watch employed cleaning. Starboard watch storing shell rooms. Noon. Wind calm. 1400. Employed storing shell room, cleaning, painting…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.09 inches rising to 30.14 at 0800 before falling to 30.03 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. Temperature at noon 79F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 235 lbs of bread. 0700. Tested lifebuoys. Found correct. . 0900. Port watch employed cleaning. Starboard watch storing shell rooms. Noon. Wind calm. 1400. Employed storing shell room, cleaning, painting and as requisite. 1600. Issued soap and tobacco. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 17.

22 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind ENE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 before falling 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.10 inches. Temperature at noon. 81F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 126 lbs of fresh beef and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 220 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Employed getting in and storing powder. Noon. Wind calm. 1330. Employed storing magazine. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 16.

23 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with cloudy sky. Barometer 30.06 inches rising to 30.16 at noon before falling to 30.07 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 20.11 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 195 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0930 Mustered by Divisions. Inspected arms and read prayers. 1000. Employed cleaning boats, scrapping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind calm.…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with cloudy sky. Barometer 30.06 inches rising to 30.16 at noon before falling to 30.07 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 20.11 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 195 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0930 Mustered by Divisions. Inspected arms and read prayers. 1000. Employed cleaning boats, scrapping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind calm. 1330. As in the forenoon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 16.

24 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.24 at 0-800 before falling to 30.16 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.20 inches. Temperature at noon 86F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 118 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Employed cleaning ship and as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1330. Make and mend clothes. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clo…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.24 at 0-800 before falling to 30.16 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.20 inches. Temperature at noon 86F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 118 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Employed cleaning ship and as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1330. Make and mend clothes. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 16.

25 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind ENE with broken cloud. Barometer 30.18 inches rising to 30.23 at noon before falling to 30.14 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.20 inches. Temperature at noon 85F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind calm. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

26 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind ENE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.20 ay 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. Temperature at noon. 83F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 218 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0930. Cleaning ship. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 1400. Cleaning ship. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

27 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.18 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.16 inches. Temperature at noon, 83F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 48 lbs of vegetables plus 149 lbs of bread. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NNE …

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NNE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.18 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.16 inches. Temperature at noon, 83F. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 116 lbs of fresh beef and 48 lbs of vegetables plus 149 lbs of bread. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730. HMS Brisk relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NNE force 2. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

28 December 1891

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE by E force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.18 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 117 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Employed cleaning light rooms and preparing for sea. 1120. HMS Brisk sailed. Tested lifebuoys. Found correct. Noon. Wind ENE force 3. 1330. Employed preparing for s…

At number 11 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE by E force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.16 inches rising to 30.18 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.12 inches. 0400. Steam up in cutter. Received 117 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Employed cleaning light rooms and preparing for sea. 1120. HMS Brisk sailed. Tested lifebuoys. Found correct. Noon. Wind ENE force 3. 1330. Employed preparing for sea and as requisite. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

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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