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.

23 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Employed refitting  and as requisite getting out stores. Coal expended 2 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

24 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Small Arms Company fell in and inspected. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 2 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

25 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 2 tons. Number on sick list 11

26 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. AM employed as requisite. PM make and mend clothes. Coal expended 1 ton. Number on sick list 10.

27 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600. Divisions. Divine Service. Coal expended 1 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

28 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Small Arms Company at battery drill. 0900. Chief Engineer P Davies joined. PM. Employed as requisite Ordinary seamen passing for higher rating. Coal expended 1 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

29 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0500. German corvette arrived. Employed as requisite. Noon. HMS Bramble docked. Coal expended ½ cwt. Number on sick list 11.

30 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600. Inspected arms. Employed as requisite. 1615. HMS Brisk arrived and made fast to buoy. Coal expended ½ cwt. Number on sick list 12.

31 January 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Exercised Small Arms Company and Marines.

Employed as requisite. Japanese T.O. Catcher “TATSUTA” arrived. PM Employed getting out cables. Coal expended 1 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

01 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600.  Inspected arms. Employed getting out cable. 1400. Paid monthly money. Employed as requisite. Coal expended 1 cwt. Number on sick list 11.

02 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Employed as requisite. 1600. Make and mend clothes.  Coal expended nil. Number on sick list 12.

03 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. Sent Roman Catholics and Wesleyans to chapel.  0800. Divisions. Divine Service. Coal expended nil. Number on sick list 13.

04 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600. Employed taking cable to store house. 1545.  HMS Bramble floated out of dock. Employed as requisite. Coal expended nil. Coal remaining 54 tons.. Number on sick list 13.

05 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay.0700. HMS Bonaventure procceded out dock. Inspected Small Arms Company and Marines.. Employed as requisite refitting. Coal expended nil. Number on sick list.10.

07 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0400. Inspected Small Arms Company and Marines. 1015. Russian Man of War and two T.O. boats arrived. Employed as necessary.  Coal expended 2 cwt. Number on sick list 8.

08 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600. Employed as requisite refitting.1500. HMS Bonaventure arrived. Coal expended 1 cwt.. Number on sick list 7

09 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0600. Employed as requisite. 1600. Make and mend clothes. Coal expended 1 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

10 February 1895

(Sunday) In dry dock at Bombay. 0645. Japanese T.O. Catcher sailed. 0600. Sent Roman Catholics and Wesleyans to chapel.  0800. Divisions. Divine Service. Coal expended nil. Number on sick list 5.

11 February 1895

In dry dock at Bombay. 0400. Small Arms Company and Marines inspected.  0600. Employed as requisite. Coal expended nil. Number on sick list 5.

12 February 1895

12 February to 5 March 1895 to be entered.   (Ship in dry dock at Bombay during this period)

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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