27 November 1897

At sea. Bombay to Trincomalee. Course N28W at 7.8.knots. Wind NW force 1 to 2 and broken cloud with smooth sea. Barometer 30.04 inches falling to 30.02 at noon and then to 29.95 at 1600 before rising to 30.01 at 2000 and finishing at 30.03 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 88F. 0008. Proceeded at 86 revolutions – 7.8 knots. 0030. Foul Point Light N by W magnetic. 0200. Stopped. Sounded in 100 fathoms. 0230. Proceeded at 85 revolutions.  Exercised close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. 0400. Round Island Light, Foul Point Light S82W. 0425Fould Point Light abeam. 04235. Eased to 54 revolutions. Altered course to S70W. 0520. Altered course as requisite. 0600. Connected Steam wheel.  Proceeded as requisite in to harbour. 0735. Came to with pebble bottom in 10 fathoms. Moored ship with open hawse. Veered 3 shackles port and 2 starboard.

Open hawse: When both anchors are out and the cables lead broad out on their own bows. A vessel lying moored to anchors ahead and astern is at open hawse when she lies across the line of her anchors.

HMS Redbreast in harbour. Let fires die out in number 2, 3, and 4 boilers. Distilling with number one boiler. Ship placed in quarantine. Employed cleaning ship. Noon. At anchor in Trincomalee. Wind NE force 1. 1300. HMS Eclipse flying flag of C in C arrived and moored. 1500. Employed as requisite. 1600. Unbent fore and aft sails. 1700. Quarters. Midnight. Distilling. Coal expended 7 tons 15 cwt. Coal remaining 92 tons 19 cwt. Draught 12 feet 8 inches forward. 15 feet 10 inches aft. Number on sick list 11.

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?