During Warship Week in February 1942, Esher raised £1,192,211, which helped to build a warship, ‘HMS Cossack’. This was done by the public throwing money in to a rubber type float in a pool. (There was sufficient money left over to buy a submarine as well).

The story continues.

HMS COSSACK (ii) (R57)

Ships Company

Start typing to discover family names.

Pay Book Number: CSX839473
Rank: Leading Seaman
When Allotted: 1951

Remarks: Died 16 July 2011 Norfolk.
Wife Margaret. Joined Prison Service after RN followed by Cardboard box manufacturer.
TAS

Rank: Sub Lt (SD)
When Allotted: 1957

Remarks: Made Lt Cdr
Gunner
Died 2006

When Allotted: 1947

Remarks: 3 Mess

Rank: R.O.
When Allotted: 1958
Rank: Able Seaman

Remarks: Died April 2000

Rank: CPO
When Allotted: 1947
Rank: Leading Seaman
When Allotted: 1953

Remarks: TAS

Rank: Ordinary Seaman
When Allotted: 1957
Rank: EM
When Allotted: 1957

Remarks: 6 Mess

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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

Receive our newsletters?