The fourth ship to carry the name HMS Cossack earned the first Battle Honour for taking part in Belgium coast Operations 17 October 8 November 1914.

The contents include copies of the original building contract and detailed drawing for launching and layout of decks and machinery. She was taken over from the contractors on 2 April 1908 and served until 1919. Her top speed was 34.619 Knots – 39.839 mph which is not far off a modern day ships speed.

Year by Year

Discover the history of the HMS Cossack from 1907 to 1919.

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.

03 March 1919

Lt Cdr T.W Young in command

12 December 1919

Scrapped: at Ward, Preston

Hidden Gems

The HMS COSSACK of 1917 collided with the transport, SS The Duchess, near Eastbourne, resulting in Cossack’s depth charges exploding. As a result of the collision, SS The Duchess sank and the blast blew off COSSACKs stern. Date: 1st July 1917.

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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