27 February 1897

Course S55E at 7.6 knots. Wind SE by S force 3 to 4 with broken cloud. Slight sea. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.19 at 0800 before falling to 30.09 and finishing at midnight at 30.06 inches. Temperature at noon 80F. 0100. Sounded with Thompson machine – 33 fathoms. 0215. Altered course to N73E. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Close watertight doors. 0315. Sounded with Thompson machine – 170 fathoms. 0435. Sounded in 40 fathoms. 0855. Increased to 70 revolutions – 8.2 knots.  0922. Altered course to N53E. 1100. Hauled in P.Log 133. Draught of water forward 13 feet 2 inches Aft 16 feet.  Course and speed for entering Aden Harbour. Passed HMS Iphigenia.

(Ordered under the Naval Defence Act 1889, Iphigenia was laid down in 1891 at the yard of the London and Glasgow Shipbuilding Company. She returned from duty on the China Station in 1906.) Noon. Came to in inner harbour in 3 ½ fathoms with pebble bottom. Secured stern to number 2 buoy. Coal lighters came alongside. 1330 Coaling ship. 1430. Knocked off coaling. Received 246 tons. Watered ship. Preparing for sea.  1600.  Shortened in. 1630. Weighed. Proceeded as required for turning outwards.1650. Course S74W at 70 revolutions- 5.2 knots.  1712. 78 revolutions. 1720 S74W. Put P log over. 1745.  95 revolutions. Mustered at Quarters. 1753. 112 revolutions. 1805. 122 revolutions – 14. Knots. 2115. Altered course to S72W. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Close watertight doors. 2200. Altered course as required through Peruin Small Strait.  Coal expended 27 tons 10 cwt. Number on sick list 4.

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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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