Moored head and stern in Colombo Harbour. Wind WSW force 3 to 4 overcast with lightning becoming clear in the afternoon with wind lessening to force 1 to 2. Barometer 29.96 inches rising to 30.03 at noon and finishing at 29.98 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F. 0400. Received 118 lbs of beef and 59 lbs of vegetables plus 204 lbs of bread. 0600. Exercised man and arm boats. 0800. Divisions and prayers. Exercised stations. Starboard watch and hands man and arm ship (Handwriting difficult to read). Exercise man and arm boats. 1200. Training class at 6” breech loader drill. 1600. Employed as requisite. Special leave to starboard watch 1700. Quarters. Hands bathed. 2000. Exercised man and arm ship. Coal expended 5 cwt. Number on sick list 2.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
