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 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at mid night at 30.08 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0430. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 152 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed cleaning holds. 0730. Read warrant number 51. 0900. Employed getting out and landing provisions, stores etc. Noon. Wind calm. 1400. As in fore noon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. 18…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at mid night at 30.08 inches. Temperature at noon 84F. 0430. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 152 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed cleaning holds. 0730. Read warrant number 51. 0900. Employed getting out and landing provisions, stores etc. Noon. Wind calm. 1400. As in fore noon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. 1800. Washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

10 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud .Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.06 at non before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.03 inches. Thermometer returned – no reading in the log. 0430. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Party chipping cables at Cable Testing House. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1000. Employed in scrapping, painting, refitting and as requ…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud .Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.06 at non before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.03 inches. Thermometer returned – no reading in the log. 0430. Received 122 lbs of fresh beef and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Party chipping cables at Cable Testing House. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1000. Employed in scrapping, painting, refitting and as requisite. Noon. Wind WSW force 2. 1400. As in the forenoon. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

11 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling t 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.05 inches. 0500. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 160 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS lapwing relieved the Guard. 0800. Party at Cable Testing House. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Inspected arms. 100. Employed scraping and refitting and as requisite. Noon. Wind west force 1. 1400. Make a…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling t 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.05 inches. 0500. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 160 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS lapwing relieved the Guard. 0800. Party at Cable Testing House. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Inspected arms. 100. Employed scraping and refitting and as requisite. Noon. Wind west force 1. 1400. Make and mend clothes. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. 1800. Washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

12 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.13 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.08 inches. 0400. Received 119 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 191 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 1000 Employed cleaning, painting and scrubbing canvas gear. Noon. Wind ENE force 1. 1400. Employed scraping fore conning tower and as requisite. 1540. HMS Sphinx arrived. 1715. Mustered at Quarters.…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.13 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.08 inches. 0400. Received 119 lbs of fresh beef and 56 lbs of vegetables plus 191 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 1000 Employed cleaning, painting and scrubbing canvas gear. Noon. Wind ENE force 1. 1400. Employed scraping fore conning tower and as requisite. 1540. HMS Sphinx arrived. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

13 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.08 inches rising to 30.14 at noon before falling to 30.05 at 16000 and finishing at midnight at 30.08 inches. 0430. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 235 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Exercised Fire Quarters. 0930. Cleaning ship. Noon Wind NW force 1. 1330. Cleaning ship and as requisite. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

14 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNE force 2 with a blue sky. Barometer 30.07 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 before falling 30.03 at 16000 and finishing at midnight at 30.04 inches. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730 HMS Lapwing relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NNW force 3. 1400. Lost overboard by accident 1 x gunmetal large boat hook. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on s…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNE force 2 with a blue sky. Barometer 30.07 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 before falling 30.03 at 16000 and finishing at midnight at 30.04 inches. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730 HMS Lapwing relieved the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NNW force 3. 1400. Lost overboard by accident 1 x gunmetal large boat hook. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

15 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and then finishing at midnight at 30.05 inches. 0430. Received 126 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 203 lbs of bread. 0910. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Port watch painting gun covers and examining driving gear. Starboard watch scraping and painting. Noon. Wind NE force 1. 1330. Employed scraping and painting. Refit…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and then finishing at midnight at 30.05 inches. 0430. Received 126 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 203 lbs of bread. 0910. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Port watch painting gun covers and examining driving gear. Starboard watch scraping and painting. Noon. Wind NE force 1. 1330. Employed scraping and painting. Refitting boats gear and as requisite. 1500. Tested lifebuoys and found correct. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

16 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.08 at 0800 before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. 0430. Received 121 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 181 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 0925. HMS Lap wing sailed. 1000. Starboard watch employed refitting gun tackles. Port watch scraping and painting. 1400. Employed scraping and painting and refitting tackles. 17 15. Mustered at Quar…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.08 at 0800 before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. 0430. Received 121 lbs of fresh beef and 53 lbs of vegetables plus 181 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. 0925. HMS Lap wing sailed. 1000. Starboard watch employed refitting gun tackles. Port watch scraping and painting. 1400. Employed scraping and painting and refitting tackles. 17 15. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

17 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.09 at 0800 before falling to 30.00 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.09 inches. 0430. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 206 lbs of bread. 0600. Port watch drawing bower cable from Testing House. 0730. Took the Guard. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1030. Starboard watch scraping and painting and as requisite. 1330. Employed getting and paying down b…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.09 at 0800 before falling to 30.00 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.09 inches. 0430. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 206 lbs of bread. 0600. Port watch drawing bower cable from Testing House. 0730. Took the Guard. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1030. Starboard watch scraping and painting and as requisite. 1330. Employed getting and paying down bower and stream cables. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. 2330 HMS Euphrates arrived. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

18 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind ENE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.12 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.10 inches. 0430. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 197 lbs of bread. 0900. HMS Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0925. Mustered by Divisions. Inspected arms. Read prayers. Employed restoring t—s (?) Unable to read hand writing). Refitting boats, scraping and as requisite. Noon. Wind NW for…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind ENE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.12 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.10 inches. 0430. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 197 lbs of bread. 0900. HMS Pigeon relieved the Guard. 0925. Mustered by Divisions. Inspected arms. Read prayers. Employed restoring t—s (?) Unable to read hand writing). Refitting boats, scraping and as requisite. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1330. Make and mend clothes. 1715. Mustered at quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

19 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.056 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. 0430. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 211 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Redbreast arrived. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1000. Employed cleaning paintwork. Scraping and painting as requisite. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1400. Employed refitting leading blocks and as requ…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.056 inches rising to 30.11 at 0800 before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. 0430. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 211 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Redbreast arrived. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1000. Employed cleaning paintwork. Scraping and painting as requisite. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1400. Employed refitting leading blocks and as requisite. Party at Chain Testing House. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

20 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.06 inches rising to 30.08 at 0800 before falling to 29.98 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.01 inches. 0430. Received 121 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 244 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0900. Cleaning ship. 1030. Lost overboard by accident 2 x life boat iron crutches 2600c. 1400. Cleaning ship and as requisite. 1710. Mustered at quarters. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

21 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNE force 1 with broken cloud. 0700. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730. HMS Redbreast relieved the Guard. 0800. German sloop (?) Unable to read handwriting for name.) 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Wind NE force 2. 1710. Mustered at quarters. Read prayers. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

22 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 2 with blue sky. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.05 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 245 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Employed scraping and painting and as requisite. 1100. Tested lifebuoys – found correct. Noon. Wind calm. 1303. As in forenoon. 1600. Issued soap and tobacco to Shi’s …

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 2 with blue sky. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.05 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 127 lbs of fresh beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 245 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 100. Employed scraping and painting and as requisite. 1100. Tested lifebuoys – found correct. Noon. Wind calm. 1303. As in forenoon. 1600. Issued soap and tobacco to Shi’s company. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

23 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind north force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches rising to 30.04 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.99 inches. 0400. Received 121 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 218 lbs of bread. 0910. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 1030. Employed in scraping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind calm. 1400. As in forenoon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

24 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before falling to 29.93 at 16000 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Starboard watch at dockyard and arsenal drawing stores. 0910. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Port watch scraping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 1330. Employed getting in and st…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before falling to 29.93 at 16000 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 123 lbs of fresh beef and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0730. Took the Guard. 0800. Starboard watch at dockyard and arsenal drawing stores. 0910. Mustered by Divisions. 1000. Port watch scraping and painting and as requisite. Noon. Wind NNE force 1. 1330. Employed getting in and storing Warrant Officers stores and painting ship. 1500. Surveying topmast for repairs. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

25 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.02 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 130 lbs of fresh beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 218 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Redbreast relieved the Guard. 0920. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 0930. Employed scraping and painting. Reeving boats falls. Refitting blocks and as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 1. 1320. Make and mend clot…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 30.02 at noon before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 130 lbs of fresh beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 218 lbs of bread. 0730. HMS Redbreast relieved the Guard. 0920. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. 0930. Employed scraping and painting. Reeving boats falls. Refitting blocks and as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 1. 1320. Make and mend clothes. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

26 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.03 at 0800 before falling to 29.95 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 210 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions 0955. HMS Euphrates sailed. 1000. Employed cleaning paintwork and as requisite. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1330. Employed as in forenoon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick li…

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.97 inches rising to 30.03 at 0800 before falling to 29.95 and finishing at midnight at 30.00 inches. 0400. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 210 lbs of bread. 0915. Mustered by Divisions 0955. HMS Euphrates sailed. 1000. Employed cleaning paintwork and as requisite. Noon. Wind NW force 2. 1330. Employed as in forenoon. 1715. Mustered at Quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

27 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NNW force 2with broken cloud. Barometer 30.00 inches rising to 30.03 at 0800 before falling to 29.96 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.02 inches. 0400. Received 120 lbs of fresh beef and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 247 lbs of bread. 0930. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Wind NW force 1. 1400. Cleaning ship. 1715. Mustered at quarters. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list. 7.

28 February 1892

At number 12 buoy in Bombay Harbour. Wind NW force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches rising to 30.04 at 0800 before falling to 29.94 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 29.98 inches. 0630. Sent Roman Catholics to chapel. 0730. Took the Guard. 0930. Mustered by Divisions. Sent Wesleyans to chapel. 1030. Performed divine Service. Noon. Wind NNW force 2. 1710. Mustered at Quarters. Read prayers. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

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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