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.

21 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 2. Overcast with rain. Barometer 29.92 inches falling to 29.82 at 0800 and to 29.86 at noon then to 29.79 at 1600 before finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F.  Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 213 lbs of bread.  0600. Exercised at Fire Stations. Tested life buoys. Found correct. Loosed sails to dry.0800. Wind SW force 2. Overcast with mist. Furled sails. Employed cleaning…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 2. Overcast with rain. Barometer 29.92 inches falling to 29.82 at 0800 and to 29.86 at noon then to 29.79 at 1600 before finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F.  Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 213 lbs of bread.  0600. Exercised at Fire Stations. Tested life buoys. Found correct. Loosed sails to dry.0800. Wind SW force 2. Overcast with mist. Furled sails. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. RIMS Dalhousie arrived. Employed cleaning ship. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite.1700. Quarters. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

22 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1. Overcast with rain and lightning. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.87 at noon and then dropping to 29.73 at 1600 before rising to 29.80 at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 213 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics for chapel 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Divisions and Divine Service. Noon. Wind SW force 3 wit…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1. Overcast with rain and lightning. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.87 at noon and then dropping to 29.73 at 1600 before rising to 29.80 at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 213 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics for chapel 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Divisions and Divine Service. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. 1600. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud and mist. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

23 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.77 at 1600 and to 29.73 at 2000 before finishing at 29.77 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Stokers, Marines and Field gun crews fully equipped. 0600. Tested lifebuoy. Found correct. 0800. Wi…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.77 at 1600 and to 29.73 at 2000 before finishing at 29.77 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Stokers, Marines and Field gun crews fully equipped. 0600. Tested lifebuoy. Found correct. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud and mist. Training class at cutlass drill. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. 1700. Quarters.1730 RIMS Dalhousie sailed. 2000. Wind NE force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 13

24 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.71 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.70 at 1600 before rising to 29.77 at 2000 and finishing at 29.73 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. Received 134 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 234 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed field machine guns crews. Carried out practice at target. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.71 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.70 at 1600 before rising to 29.77 at 2000 and finishing at 29.73 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. Received 134 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 234 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed field machine guns crews. Carried out practice at target. Employed as requisite. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud and mist. Training class at drill. Noon. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Training class at cutter drill. Two and three Quick Fire guns crews rifle aiming. Employed as requisite 1600. Wind SE force 2 with cloud.1700. Quarters. Both watches landed fire engine. 2000. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Coal expended 7 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

25 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind calm with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.72 inches rising to 29.78 at 0800 and then falling to 29.74 at 1600 and to 29.70 at 2000 before finishing at 29.74 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 86F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 174 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company and Marines. Three and four Quick Fire guns crews at rifle drill. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Train…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind calm with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.72 inches rising to 29.78 at 0800 and then falling to 29.74 at 1600 and to 29.70 at 2000 before finishing at 29.74 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 86F. Received 124 lbs of meat and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 174 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company and Marines. Three and four Quick Fire guns crews at rifle drill. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Training class at cutter drill. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as in forenoon. 1600. Wind south force 3 with broken cloud and mist. 1700. Quarters. Both boats away pulling for exercise. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

26 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.82 at 0800 and then falling to 29.78 at noon and to 29.71 at 2000.before rising to 29.80 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Training class at cutlass drill. First Division mustering (?) (Unable to rea…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.82 at 0800 and then falling to 29.78 at noon and to 29.71 at 2000.before rising to 29.80 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Training class at cutlass drill. First Division mustering (?) (Unable to read handwriting). Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Issued Slops.1600. Wind SW force 4 with broken cloud. Make and mend clothes. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

27 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.79 inches rising to 29.84 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.78 at 1600 and to 29.78 at 2000 before rising to 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Tested life buoy. Found correct. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Exercised at General Quarters. Third Division boar…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.79 inches rising to 29.84 at 0800 and then falling to 29.84 at noon and to 29.78 at 1600 and to 29.78 at 2000 before rising to 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 180 lbs of bread. 0600. Tested life buoy. Found correct. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Exercised at General Quarters. Third Division boarders at cutlass drill. Noon. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. 17000. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

28 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.85 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.92 at noon before dropping to 29.76 at 1600 and then rising to 29.77 at 2000 before finishing at 29.85 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetable plus 186 lbs of bread. 0600. Exercised at Fire Quarters. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Wind SW forc…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.85 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.92 at noon before dropping to 29.76 at 1600 and then rising to 29.77 at 2000 before finishing at 29.85 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetable plus 186 lbs of bread. 0600. Exercised at Fire Quarters. 0800. Wind NE force 2 with broken cloud. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind south force 3 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

29 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.78 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and then falling to 29.82 at noon and to 29.75 at 1600 before rising to 29.78 at 2000 and finishing at 29.76 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F.  Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans. French gunboat ELIDE arrived. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and …

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.78 inches rising to 29.88 at 0800 and then falling to 29.82 at noon and to 29.75 at 1600 before rising to 29.78 at 2000 and finishing at 29.76 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F.  Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans. French gunboat ELIDE arrived. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Divisions. Mustered by the ledger. Divine Service. Noon. Wined SW 4 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. 1600. Wind S by W force 5 with broken cloud and squalls. Quarters. 2000. Wind south force 2 with broken cloud. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

30 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.81 a 0800 and to 29.85 at noon before dropping to 29.66 at 1600 and then rising to 29.76 at 2000 before finishing at 29.78 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Marines and field gun crews. 0800. Wind south force 1 with broken cloud. Training class at to…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 inches rising to 29.81 a 0800 and to 29.85 at noon before dropping to 29.66 at 1600 and then rising to 29.76 at 2000 before finishing at 29.78 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Marines and field gun crews. 0800. Wind south force 1 with broken cloud. Training class at torpedo instruction. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Employed as in forenoon. 1600. Wind SW 3 with broken cloud.  1700. Quarters. Washed hammocks. Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

31 July 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.70 inches rising to 29.80 at 0800 and to 29.81 at noon before dropping to 29.60 at 2000 and finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 222 lbs of bread. 0600. Oiled hawsers. Preparing for sea. 0800. Wind SW 1 with broken cloud. Divisions. Inspected arms. Employed as requite. Noon. Wind SE force 3 with broken clou…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.70 inches rising to 29.80 at 0800 and to 29.81 at noon before dropping to 29.60 at 2000 and finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 222 lbs of bread. 0600. Oiled hawsers. Preparing for sea. 0800. Wind SW 1 with broken cloud. Divisions. Inspected arms. Employed as requite. Noon. Wind SE force 3 with broken cloud. Draught 12 feet 2 inches forward. 15 feet 6 inches aft. 258 tons 19 cwt of coal onboard. 1300. Tested Whitehead torpedoes. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Weighed and proceeded as requisite for Whitehead torpedo practice. Employed firing Whitehead torpedoes at target. 1815. Picked up targets and boats. Proceeded at 65 revolutions course S40W. 1845. Jegirel Satit abeam – ¼ mile. 2000. Wind west force 2. Course S73W. Coal expended 6 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

01 August 1894

At Sea Aden to Perin (?). Course S73W at 6 knots. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.80inches at 0400 rising to 29.85 at noon and then falling to 29.75 at 1600 before rising to 29.83 at 2000 and finishing at 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0008. Connected 3rd boiler. 0400. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 0510. Course N54W. 0800. Wind calm with broken cloud. Course N64W. Divisions and prayers. Training class fitting charges. Employed as requisite. Noon.…

At Sea Aden to Perin (?). Course S73W at 6 knots. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Barometer 29.80inches at 0400 rising to 29.85 at noon and then falling to 29.75 at 1600 before rising to 29.83 at 2000 and finishing at 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0008. Connected 3rd boiler. 0400. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 0510. Course N54W. 0800. Wind calm with broken cloud. Course N64W. Divisions and prayers. Training class fitting charges. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind calm with broken cloud. Stopped and came to on sandy bottom in 7 fathoms and veered two shackles. Paid monthly money. Training class fixing Whitehead torpedoes. Whitehead torpedo struck and sunk gig. Employed diver to recover gig. Employed fixing ???  (Unable to read handwriting). 1600. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud. 1910. Weighed and proceeded. 1920. Stopped to clear anchor. 1945. Proceeded at 80 revolution. Course as requisite. 200. Wind SW 2 to 3 with broken cloud.  Course S58E. 2200. Exercised sea boats crews and closing of watertight doors.  Coal expended 17 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

02 August 1894

At sea. Course S58E for Aden. Speed 6 knots. Wind S by W force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.89 inches falling to 29.88 at noon and to 29.81 at 1600 before finishing at 29.84 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 85F. Sea temperature 79F. 0045. Course N75E. 0200. Exercised sea boats crew. 0400. Wind S by W force 2 to 3. 0515. Course N26E. 0800. Wind variable force 1. Stopped. Sent mails on to a P & O. Proceeded as requisite for target practice. Exercised at General Quarters. Employed …

At sea. Course S58E for Aden. Speed 6 knots. Wind S by W force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.89 inches falling to 29.88 at noon and to 29.81 at 1600 before finishing at 29.84 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon. 85F. Sea temperature 79F. 0045. Course N75E. 0200. Exercised sea boats crew. 0400. Wind S by W force 2 to 3. 0515. Course N26E. 0800. Wind variable force 1. Stopped. Sent mails on to a P & O. Proceeded as requisite for target practice. Exercised at General Quarters. Employed firing shell at target. 1045. Picked up target. Proceeded as requisite for inner harbour at Aden. 1130. Stopped. Came to with sandy bottom. Secured stern to number 2 buoy Veered to 5 shackles. Noon. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1400. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and squalls. 1700. Quarters. Coal expended 10 tons 13 cwt. Number on sick list 12.

03 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.85 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.88 at noon and then falling to 29.79 at 1600 before rising to 29.80 at 2000 and finishing at 29.88 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 242 lbs of bread. 0600. Hauled up gig for repair. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Employed as necessary. Noon. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with b…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.85 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.88 at noon and then falling to 29.79 at 1600 before rising to 29.80 at 2000 and finishing at 29.88 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 83F. Received 124 lbs of beef and 62 lbs of vegetables plus 242 lbs of bread. 0600. Hauled up gig for repair. 0800. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud. Employed as necessary. Noon. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Training class at Whitehead training. Tested life buoy. Found correct. Employed as requisite.1700. Quarters. Washed clothes. 2000. Wind SW force 4 to 5. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

 

 

04 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind south force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and then falling to 29.80 at noon and to 29.76 at 1600 before rising to 29.70 at 2000 and finishing at 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0400. Exercised at Fire Quarters. 0600. Employed cleaning ship. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 4…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind south force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.89 at 0800 and then falling to 29.80 at noon and to 29.76 at 1600 before rising to 29.70 at 2000 and finishing at 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 219 lbs of bread. 0400. Exercised at Fire Quarters. 0600. Employed cleaning ship. 0800. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud. Noon. Wind SW force 4 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud. Coal expended 8 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

05 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.83 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.90 at noon and then falling to 29.76 at 1600 before rising to 29.78 at 2000 and finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. Received 122 lbs of bread and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans for chapel.0800. Wind SW force 3 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. Di…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.83 inches rising to 29.87 at 0800 and to 29.90 at noon and then falling to 29.76 at 1600 before rising to 29.78 at 2000 and finishing at 29.80 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. Received 122 lbs of bread and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Roman Catholics and Wesleyans for chapel.0800. Wind SW force 3 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. Divisions. Divine Service. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 5 with broken cloud and squalls. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 5 with broken cloud and mist. 1700. Quarters. 2000. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and haze. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

06 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 4 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.79 at noon and to 29.72 at 1600 and to 29.70 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 84 F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions and prayers. Training class at torpedo instruction. Senior Gunners of both watches at cutlass drill. Employed …

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 4 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.79 at noon and to 29.72 at 1600 and to 29.70 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 84 F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 207 lbs of bread. 0600. Divisions and prayers. Training class at torpedo instruction. Senior Gunners of both watches at cutlass drill. Employed as requisite. Noon Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud. Training class at torpedo instruction. Senior Gunners at aiming rifle – 3 pounder. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud and squalls. 1700. Quarters. Washed clothes. Coal expended 6 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

07 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud, lightning and rain. Barometer 29.72 inches rising to 29.75 at 0800 and to 29.77 at noon before falling to 29.67 at 1600 and then rising to 29.78 before finishing at 29.79 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 199 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Marines and field gun crews. Training class at torpedo instruction. 0800. Wind SW…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 2 with broken cloud, lightning and rain. Barometer 29.72 inches rising to 29.75 at 0800 and to 29.77 at noon before falling to 29.67 at 1600 and then rising to 29.78 before finishing at 29.79 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 84F. Received 122 lbs of beef and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 199 lbs of bread. 0400. Landed Small Arms Company, Marines and field gun crews. Training class at torpedo instruction. 0800. Wind SW force 1 with broken cloud and mist. Employed as requisite. Noon. Wind west force 1 with broken cloud and mist. 1300. French S.B Etask sailed. Training class at torpedo instruction. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 5 with broken cloud, mist and squalls. Employed as requisite. 1700. Quarters. Both watches at Fire Engine. 2000. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and haze. 2045. Watch – Man and arm ship. Draught forward. 11 feet 11 inches. Aft. 15 feet 6 inches.  Coal expended 4 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

08 August 1894

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.76 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.80 at noon and to 29.78 at 1600 and to 29.77 at 2000 before finishing at 29.83 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. Sea temperature 78F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 174 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Small Arms Company, marines and field guns crews. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken…

At Aden at single anchor with stern secured to number 2 buoy. Wind SW force 3 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.76 inches rising to 29.85 at 0800 and then falling to 29.80 at noon and to 29.78 at 1600 and to 29.77 at 2000 before finishing at 29.83 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. Sea temperature 78F. Received 122 lbs of meat and 61 lbs of vegetables plus 174 lbs of bread. 0600. Landed Small Arms Company, marines and field guns crews. 0800. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and mist. 0900. Divisions. Inspected arms. 1000. Preparing for sea. Noon. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and mist. 1230. Lit fires in four boilers. Employed as requisite. 1600. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and lightning. 1730. Unmoored. Weighed and proceeded as requisite to leave harbour. 1830. Proceeded at 80 revolutions on course S7W. Put patent log over. 1910. Sighted Ras Marshag lighthouse. 2000. Wind SW force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. 2030. Increased to 85 revolutions – 8 knots. 2100. Exercised sea boats crew. Coal expended 9 tons. Number on sick list 8.

09 August 1894

At sea. Aden to Berera. Course S7W at 7.5 knots. Wind SSW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.95 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.80 at 1600 and then rising to 29.88 at 2000 before finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. 0050. Increased to 90 revolutions. 0120. Increased to 95 revolutions. 0200. Exercised sea boats crew and the closing of watertight doors. 0400. Wind SSW force 4 with blue sky, squalls and lightning. 0500. Land…

At sea. Aden to Berera. Course S7W at 7.5 knots. Wind SSW force 4 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.81 inches rising to 29.95 at 0800 and then falling to 29.90 at noon and to 29.80 at 1600 and then rising to 29.88 at 2000 before finishing at 29.95 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 92F. 0050. Increased to 90 revolutions. 0120. Increased to 95 revolutions. 0200. Exercised sea boats crew and the closing of watertight doors. 0400. Wind SSW force 4 with blue sky, squalls and lightning. 0500. Land ahead. 0800. Wind SSW force 4 to 6 with broken cloud and squalls. Course S13W. Exercised at General Quarters. Employed as requisite. 1050. Hauled in Patent Log. 1148. Stopped and came to on sandy bottom in 10 ¼ fathoms. Veered to 4 shackles. Noon Wind SW force 7 to 8 with broken cloud and squalls. Anchor bearing. Custom House 560. Beacon 720 . Shieteh Torub 820. 1400. Make and mend clothes. 1600. Wind NNW force 2 with broken cloud. Exercised running Whitehead torpedoes. 1900. Training party landed. 2000. Wind calm. Coal expended 15 tons 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.

Anchor crest

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