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.

18 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud and squall. Barometer 29.87 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and to 29.90 at noon and then falling to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29.91 inches at 2000  where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F.  0200. Received 114 lbs of meat and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at General Quarters and Fire Quarters. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud and squall. Barometer 29.87 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and to 29.90 at noon and then falling to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29.91 inches at 2000  where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F.  0200. Received 114 lbs of meat and 57 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at General Quarters and Fire Quarters. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite. Tested life buoys. Found correct. Noon. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Two pounder guns crews landed for drill and for firing. 1600. Wind SW force 8. Employed as requisite. 1700. Washed clothes. Coal expended 3 tons 7 cwt Number on sick list 24.

19 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.91 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29.90 inches where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 198 lbs of bread. 0600. Lost by accident one 56 lb sinker. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Employed cleaning ship. Tested lifebuoys. Found to be correct. Noon. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. …

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.91 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29.90 inches where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 58 lbs of vegetables plus 198 lbs of bread. 0600. Lost by accident one 56 lb sinker. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Employed cleaning ship. Tested lifebuoys. Found to be correct. Noon. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind force 4 with broken cloud. 1700. General leave to watch. Coal expended 1 ton 14 cwt. Number on sick list 25.

20 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and to 29.93 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.93 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 88F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread.  Landed Wesleyans and Roman Catholics for Chapel. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Divisions and Divine Service. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cl…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and to 29.93 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.93 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 88F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread.  Landed Wesleyans and Roman Catholics for Chapel. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Divisions and Divine Service. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Quarters. Coal expended 1 ton 15 cwt.  Number on sick list 25.

21 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and to 29.93 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.92 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F.  0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus 188 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Training class at drill. Noon Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Washed…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and to 29.93 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.92 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F.  0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus 188 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Training class at drill. Noon Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Washed clothes and hammocks. 2000. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Tested lifebuoys. Found correct.  Coal expended 4 tons.  Number on sick list 22.

22 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches falling to 29.91 at 0800 and to 29.9 at noon and to 29.86 at 1600 before finishing at 29.94 at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Draught forward. 13 feet Aft 16 feet 8 inches. 0430. Lit fires in two boilers. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread.  0800. Wind SW force 4 to 5. 0905. Weighed and proceed as requisite. 0940. Stopped. Dropped target. Proceeded. Exercised …

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches falling to 29.91 at 0800 and to 29.9 at noon and to 29.86 at 1600 before finishing at 29.94 at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Draught forward. 13 feet Aft 16 feet 8 inches. 0430. Lit fires in two boilers. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread.  0800. Wind SW force 4 to 5. 0905. Weighed and proceed as requisite. 0940. Stopped. Dropped target. Proceeded. Exercised General Quarters firing Morris tube and percussion tube at target. 1135. Stopped.  (Trincomalee) Came to with port bower in 8 ½ fathoms and veered to 2 ½ shackles. Noon. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 4.  2015. Weighed and proceeded. 2200. Exercised at General Quarters firing Quick Fire guns at target. 2330. Stopped. Came to port bower in 8 fathoms and veered to 2 ½ shackles.  Anchor bearings. ??? (Unable to read handwriting) S45W. Flag staff S65E. Coal expended 4 tons 1 cwt. Number on sick list 25.

23 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.93 at 0800  and falling to 29.87 at noon and then rising to 29.90 at 2000 before finishing at 29 .94 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.  0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus195 lbs of bread. 0800. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. 0900. Weighed and proceeded. 0945. Exercised at General Quarters firing 6 inch guns at target. 1100. Picked up target …

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.84 inches rising to 29.93 at 0800  and falling to 29.87 at noon and then rising to 29.90 at 2000 before finishing at 29 .94 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.  0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 55 lbs of vegetables plus195 lbs of bread. 0800. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. 0900. Weighed and proceeded. 0945. Exercised at General Quarters firing 6 inch guns at target. 1100. Picked up target and proceeded. Noon. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. 1235. Stopped. Came to with port bower in 8 fathoms and veered to 2 ½ shackles. Anchor bearings Middle point 240 Round pole 21 ¾0 Soles island 350 Dockyard Flag Staff 240.

1600. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 6 tons 13 cwt. Number on sick list 25.

24 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.89 inches rising to 29.90 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and then dropping to 29.90 inches at 1600 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 45 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind SW force 3. Noon. Wind SW force 4.1300. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Quarters.  Coa…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.89 inches rising to 29.90 at 0800 and to 29.91 at noon and then dropping to 29.90 inches at 1600 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 110 lbs of meat and 45 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind SW force 3. Noon. Wind SW force 4.1300. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Quarters.  Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 29.

25 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.91 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.87 at 1600 before rising to 21.91 at 2000 and finishing at 29.90 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 201 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at Collision Stations – out Collision mat. Tested life buoys. Found to be correct. 0800. Wind SW force 4. Noon. Wind S…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.91 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.87 at 1600 before rising to 21.91 at 2000 and finishing at 29.90 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 201 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at Collision Stations – out Collision mat. Tested life buoys. Found to be correct. 0800. Wind SW force 4. Noon. Wind SW force 4. 1300. Training class at drill. Remainder employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 4. 1700. Quarters. Washed clothes. 2000. Wind SW force 2.  Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 29.

26 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 2 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.93 at 0800 and to 29.96 at noon before dropping to 29.94 at 2000 and finishing at 29.93 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0600. Exercised at Fire Quarters. Employed cleaning ship. 0800. Wind SW force 2 to 4. Noon. Wind force 2 to 4. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW 2 to…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 2 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.93 at 0800 and to 29.96 at noon before dropping to 29.94 at 2000 and finishing at 29.93 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 192 lbs of bread. 0600. Exercised at Fire Quarters. Employed cleaning ship. 0800. Wind SW force 2 to 4. Noon. Wind force 2 to 4. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW 2 to 4. Quarters. Read Warrant number 33. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 30.

27 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and to 29.97 at noon before falling to  29.89 at 1600 and then rising to 29.93 at 2000 before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread.  0600. Landed Wesleyans and Roman Catholics for chapel.  0800. Wind SW force 3. Divisions. Divine service. Noon. Wind SW force 4…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and to 29.97 at noon before falling to  29.89 at 1600 and then rising to 29.93 at 2000 before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. 0400. Received 108 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread.  0600. Landed Wesleyans and Roman Catholics for chapel.  0800. Wind SW force 3. Divisions. Divine service. Noon. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. 1600. Wind NNE force 4 with broken cloud. Quarters. 2000. Wind south force 1 with broken cloud. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 30.

28 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud, rain and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and to 29.96 at noon and then falling to 29.90 at 1600 before rising to 29.99 at 2000 and finishing at 29.99 inches at midnight.  Temperature at noon 91F.  0400. Received 168 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Small Arms Company landed for drill. 0800. Wind SW force 2 to 3. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force …

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud, rain and squalls. Barometer 29.86 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and to 29.96 at noon and then falling to 29.90 at 1600 before rising to 29.99 at 2000 and finishing at 29.99 inches at midnight.  Temperature at noon 91F.  0400. Received 168 lbs of meat and 54 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Small Arms Company landed for drill. 0800. Wind SW force 2 to 3. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 30.

29 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and then falling to 29.85 at noon before rising to 28.88 at 1600 and to 29.96 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.  0400. Small Arms Company landed for drill. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 165 lbs of bread. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with b…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and then falling to 29.85 at noon before rising to 28.88 at 1600 and to 29.96 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F.  0400. Small Arms Company landed for drill. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 165 lbs of bread. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Quarters. 2000. Wind south force 3 with broken cloud. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 27.

30 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches falling to 29.97 at 0800 and to 29.92 at noon and to 29.84 at 2000 before finishing at 29.99 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 90F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of meat.  0600. Employed provisioning ship. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Employed as requisite. 160…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches falling to 29.97 at 0800 and to 29.92 at noon and to 29.84 at 2000 before finishing at 29.99 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 90F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 183 lbs of meat.  0600. Employed provisioning ship. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 28.

31 August 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.90  inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and to 29.95 at noon and the falling to 29.89 at 1600 before rising to 29.92 at 2000 and finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind force 4 with broken cloud. Issued slops. Make…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.90  inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and to 29.95 at noon and the falling to 29.89 at 1600 before rising to 29.92 at 2000 and finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 189 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind force 4 with broken cloud. Issued slops. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Quarters. Coal expended 1 ton 12 cwt. Number on sick list 29

01 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 before falling to 29.91 at 1600 and then rising to 29.99 at 2000 before finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. 0200. Received 104 lbs of meat and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 195 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force with broken cloud. 1300. Paid monthly money. Employed a…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 before falling to 29.91 at 1600 and then rising to 29.99 at 2000 before finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. 0200. Received 104 lbs of meat and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 195 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force with broken cloud. 1300. Paid monthly money. Employed as requisite. 1600 Wind WSW force 4 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. Usual leave. Coal expended 18 cwt. Number on sick list 29

02 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.99 at noon before falling to 29.87 at 1600 and then rising to 29.96 at 2000 and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 104 lbs of beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 125 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind force 4 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 29.99 at noon before falling to 29.87 at 1600 and then rising to 29.96 at 2000 and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 89F. 0200. Received 104 lbs of beef and 52 lbs of vegetables plus 125 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind force 4 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Coal expended 1 ton 16 cwt. Number on sick list 27.

03 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.92 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and then dropping to 29.94 at noon and to 29.82 at 1600 before rising to 29.91 at 2000 and finishing at 29.96 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 165 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans for chapel. 0800. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Divisions. Divine Service. Noon…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.92 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and then dropping to 29.94 at noon and to 29.82 at 1600 before rising to 29.91 at 2000 and finishing at 29.96 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 165 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans for chapel. 0800. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and squalls. Divisions. Divine Service. Noon. Wind west force 4 to 7 with broken cloud and squalls. 1600. Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud. Quarters. Coal expended 1 ton 16 cwt. Number on sick list 27.

04 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and then falling to 29.88 at 1600 before rising to 29.94 and finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 89F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 168 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Small Arms Company for drills. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud and squalls. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broke…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 5 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and then falling to 29.88 at 1600 before rising to 29.94 and finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 89F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 168 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Small Arms Company for drills. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud and squalls. Divisions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud and squalls. Quarters. 2000. Wind force 3 with broken cloud. Washed clothes. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 28.

05 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.93 at noon and to 29.94 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. . Temperature at noon 90F.   0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 177 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed painting ship. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. Training party firing charges. 1600. W…

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.90 inches rising to 29.93 at noon and to 29.94 at 1600 before falling to 29.90 at 2000 and finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. . Temperature at noon 90F.   0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 177 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed painting ship. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. Training party firing charges. 1600. Wind NNE force 1 with broken clouds. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud.  Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 28.

06 September 1893

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.89 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29 94 at 2000 and finishing at 29.92 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 93F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 168 lbs of bread. 0699. Employed painting ship. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind …

At single anchor at Trincomalee. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.89 inches rising to 29.94 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.84 at 1600 before rising to 29 94 at 2000 and finishing at 29.92 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 93F. 0200. Received 102 lbs of meat and 51 lbs of vegetables plus 168 lbs of bread. 0699. Employed painting ship. 0800. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. 1300. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind north force 5 to 6. Overcast with passing showers. Quarters. Washed clothes. 2000. Wind SW force 1. Gloomy with lightning.  Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 27.

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.

Anchor crest

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