05 March 1897

At sea. Course n32 ½ E at 10.4 knots with smooth sea. Wind calm with broken cloud. Barometer 30.11 inches rising to 30.16 at 0800 before falling to 30.08 at 1600 and finishing at midnight at 30.11 inches. Temperature at noon. 80F. 0100. Sounded in 50 fathoms. Put clock on 16 minutes. 0200. Exercised sea boat’s crews. Exercised watch close watertight doors. 0300. Sounded in 50 fathoms. 0500. Sounded in 55 fathoms. 0605. Sun rose N89 ½ E. 0710. Southern end of Masirah Island abeam

Masirah Island also referred to as Mazeira Island and Wilāyat Maṣīrah (Arabic: وِلَايَة مَصِيْرَة ), is an island off the east coast of mainland Oman in the Arabian Sea .

  1. Altered course to N15E Reset P.log. 0930. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Exercised at General Quarters – collision and fire stations. Exercised watch firing Morris tube and scrubbing canvas gear. Noon. Position 20.42N 59.30E Wind NW force 1. 1210. Altered course to N6W at 8.5 knots. 1330. Ordinary Seamen firing Morris tube. 1534. Hauled in P.Log. – 77.4. 1555. Stopped. Exercised watch sounding with deep sea gear. 55 fathoms sand. 1610 Exercised watch sounding. 35 fathoms sand. 1640. Dropped target. Proceeded as requisite for tube cannon practice. 1735.  Finished firing. Picked up target. Proceeded N35E at 85 revolutions. 1745 Sun set S77 ½ E.  1755. Put over P.Log.  2015. Man and arm ship.  Direct search light Exercised watch at closing watertight doors. Exercised seaboat’s crews. Remarkably brilliant phosphorous appearance in the sea. Midnight altered course to N4W at 10. 5 knots. Coal expended 22 tons 6 cwt. Number on sick list 5.
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?