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.

16 December 1893

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 7.2 knots. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud and a smooth sea. Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.o7 at 0800 and then falling to 30.06 at noon and to 30.02 at 1600 before rising to 30.05 inches at 2000 and finishing at 30.06 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Sea temperature 76F. 0200. Exercised sea boat crew. 0400. Wind NE force 3. 0500. Lost overboard by accident – one plaited line, one rotator – all of patent log.  0730. Fire Qu…

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 7.2 knots. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud and a smooth sea. Barometer 30.01 inches rising to 30.o7 at 0800 and then falling to 30.06 at noon and to 30.02 at 1600 before rising to 30.05 inches at 2000 and finishing at 30.06 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Sea temperature 76F. 0200. Exercised sea boat crew. 0400. Wind NE force 3. 0500. Lost overboard by accident – one plaited line, one rotator – all of patent log.  0730. Fire Quarters. 0800 Wind NE force 3. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Position 13.13N 68.17E. Course N38E at 7.5 knots.  1400. Employed cleaning ship. 1600. Wind NE force 3. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind N£ force 3. 2200. Exercised Sea boats crews. Coal expended 20 tons 7 cwt. Tons remaining 83. Number on sick list 15.

17 December 1893

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 7.2 knots. Wind NE force with broken cloud and a slight NE swell. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 30.02 at 1600  and then rising to 30.06  inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. Sea temperature 79F.  0200. Exercised sea boat crew and closing watertight doors.  0600. Sunrise by compass S69E. Deviation 3o.  0800. Wind NE force 2 to 3. 0900. Divisions. Divine Service. Noon. Position 15.…

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 7.2 knots. Wind NE force with broken cloud and a slight NE swell. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 30.02 at 1600  and then rising to 30.06  inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. Sea temperature 79F.  0200. Exercised sea boat crew and closing watertight doors.  0600. Sunrise by compass S69E. Deviation 3o.  0800. Wind NE force 2 to 3. 0900. Divisions. Divine Service. Noon. Position 15.24N 70.11E. Course N38E at 7.2 knots. Eased to 70 revolutions. Wind NE force 2 to 3. 1600. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind NE force 2. 2200. Exercised sea boats crew. Coal expended 17 tons 12 cwt.  8 ½ tons of fresh water remaining. Number on sick list 18.

18 December 1893

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 6.5 knots. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 and to 30.08 at noon before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and then rising to 30.06 at 2000 before finishing at 30.09 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Sea temperature 78F. 0200. Exercised sea boat crew. 0800 Wind NE force 3. Divisions. 0945. Stopped. Dropped target. Acting Seamen General class at shot practice with 7 pounder at target. 1010. Proceede…

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 6.5 knots. Wind NE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 and to 30.08 at noon before falling to 30.02 at 1600 and then rising to 30.06 at 2000 before finishing at 30.09 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Sea temperature 78F. 0200. Exercised sea boat crew. 0800 Wind NE force 3. Divisions. 0945. Stopped. Dropped target. Acting Seamen General class at shot practice with 7 pounder at target. 1010. Proceeded at 70 revolutions. Course N38E. Noon. Position 17.20N 71.47E. Course N38E at 6.5 knots. Eased to 65 revolutions.  1215. Sounded in 42 fathoms. 1230. Eased to 55 revolutions. 1600. Wind north force 2 to 3with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. Dropped life buoy. Stopped. Lowered sea boat and picked up lifebuoy.  1740. Proceeded on N38E at 55 revolutions. 2000. Wind N by E force 3 with broken cloud.  Sounded in 38 fathoms. 2200. Sounded in 24 fathoms. Exercised sea boats crew.  Coal expended 11 tons 19 cwt. Fresh water remaining 9 tons. Number on sick list 18.

19 December 1893

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 5.2 knots. Wind NE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud and a smooth sea. Barometer 30.03 inches falling to 30.01 at 0800 before rising to 30.02 at 1600 and to 30.06 at 2000 before finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. Sea temperature 74F. 0105. Sighted Kaudri Light N42E. 0255. Sighted Prosego Light. 0300. Altered course to north. 0500. Stopped. 0630. Proceeded. Course as requisite. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. 0930. Sto…

At sea Seychelles to Bombay. Course N38E at 5.2 knots. Wind NE force 1 to 2 with broken cloud and a smooth sea. Barometer 30.03 inches falling to 30.01 at 0800 before rising to 30.02 at 1600 and to 30.06 at 2000 before finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. Sea temperature 74F. 0105. Sighted Kaudri Light N42E. 0255. Sighted Prosego Light. 0300. Altered course to north. 0500. Stopped. 0630. Proceeded. Course as requisite. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. 0930. Stopped. Picked up mooring and made fast.  Employed as requisite.1100. Let fires die out. Noon. Draught forward 11 feet 6 inches. Aft 15 feet 3 inches. 1300. Employed as requisite. Lieutenant H.J. Miller joined. Lieutenant Malyneux discharged to (Unable to read handwriting). 1600. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 4 tons 9 cwt. Coal remaining 49 tons 5 cwt. Fresh water remaining 6 tons. Number on sick list 13.

20 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 and 30.12 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and then rising to 30.06 inches where it finished at midnight.   Temperature at noon 83F.  0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 226 lbs of bread. 0600. Manned and armed ship. 0800. Wind NE force 2. 0930. Divisions. Inspected arms. Small Arms Company and Marines at drill.  J.O Patterson Assistant? (Unable to read handwrit…

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 3 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.03 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 and 30.12 at noon before falling to 30.04 at 1600 and then rising to 30.06 inches where it finished at midnight.   Temperature at noon 83F.  0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 226 lbs of bread. 0600. Manned and armed ship. 0800. Wind NE force 2. 0930. Divisions. Inspected arms. Small Arms Company and Marines at drill.  J.O Patterson Assistant? (Unable to read handwriting). Noon. Wind NW force 2.  Employed as requisite. Acting Seamen General Classs.at drill. 1700. Quarters. Scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. Coal expended 12 cwt. Number on sick list 13

21 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.17 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at noon and then rising to 30.16 at 1600 before again falling to 30.06 inches where it finishes at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F.  0200. Received 120 lbs meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 125 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Acting Seamen General Class at drill. General leave to watch. Marines mustered in marching order. Noon. Wind NE force 1.  Make and mend clothes. 1…

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches rising to 30.17 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at noon and then rising to 30.16 at 1600 before again falling to 30.06 inches where it finishes at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F.  0200. Received 120 lbs meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 125 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Acting Seamen General Class at drill. General leave to watch. Marines mustered in marching order. Noon. Wind NE force 1.  Make and mend clothes. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 12 cwt. Number on sick list 12

22 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.06 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 and then falling to 30.08 at noon and to 30.02 at 1600 before rising to 30.14 at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. 0200. Received 118 lbs of meat and 59 lbs of meat plus192 lbs of bread.  0600. Exercised at General Quarters – out collision mat. Noon. Wind Calm. Employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 13.

23 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.04 inches rising to 30.10 at 0800 and to 30.16 at noon before falling to 29.99 at 1600 and then rising to 30.02 at 2000 before finishing at 30.04 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F.  0200. Received 124 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus186 lbs of bread. 0600. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Wind NE force 1. Employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

24 December 1893

(Sunday). Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.05 inches falling to 30.02 at 0800 and then rising to 30.06 at noon before falling to 29.99 inches where it stayed to midnight. Temperature at noon 79F. 0200. Received 120 lbs of beef and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 198 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Divine Service. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans. 0800. Wind East force 2.  Noon. Wind calm. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

25 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before rising to 30.04 at 1600 and falling to 30.00 at 2000 before finishing at 30.02 inches at midnight. 0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 69 lbs of vegetables plus 194 lbs of bread. 0730. Funeral Party left the ship. 1150. Funeral party return. (Editor – no details given about the funeral or who was being buried) Noon. Wind Calm. Gave General leave to Starboard watch. 1600. Wind west force 2.…

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches rising to 30.02 at 0800 before rising to 30.04 at 1600 and falling to 30.00 at 2000 before finishing at 30.02 inches at midnight. 0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 69 lbs of vegetables plus 194 lbs of bread. 0730. Funeral Party left the ship. 1150. Funeral party return. (Editor – no details given about the funeral or who was being buried) Noon. Wind Calm. Gave General leave to Starboard watch. 1600. Wind west force 2.Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

26 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches falling to 29.98 at 1600 and then rising to 30.08 at 2000 before finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F. 0600. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind NE force 2. Employed as requisite.1700. Washed clothes. Coal expended 10 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

27 December 1893

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches falling to 29.94 at 1600 and then rising to 29.96 at 2000 before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 133 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at General Quarters. Employed as requisite. Noon wind NE force 1. Employed as requisite. 1900. Quarters. 2030. Employed docking ship. Coal expended 5 cwt. 46 tons 10 cwt remaining. Number o…

Moored at Bombay. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 30.02 inches falling to 29.94 at 1600 and then rising to 29.96 at 2000 before finishing at 30.00 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0200. Received 120 lbs of meat and 60 lbs of vegetables plus 133 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. Exercised at General Quarters. Employed as requisite. Noon wind NE force 1. Employed as requisite. 1900. Quarters. 2030. Employed docking ship. Coal expended 5 cwt. 46 tons 10 cwt remaining. Number on sick list 11.

28 December 1893

In dock at Bombay wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.99 inches rising to 30.04 at 0800 with the wind calm and to 30.06 inches at noon with the wind NE force 1. Temperature at noon 80F. 0300. Ship docked. General leave to watch Employed as requisite. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 13.

29 December 1893

In dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Read warrant number 40.

30 December 1893

In dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Paid monthly money.

31 December 1893

In dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Divisions Church parties mustered for Chapel. Number on sick list 12.

01 January 1894

In dry dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Read Warrants numbers 41 and 42. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 12

02 January 1894

In dry dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

03 January 1894

In dry dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 2 cwt. Number on sick list 9

04 January 1894

In dry dock at Bombay. Ships Company billeted in Sailors Home.  Exercised Small Arms Company and Field gun crews.  Read Warrants 43 and 44. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 2 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

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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