18 February 1898

At sea in the Gulf of Oman. Course N34W at 5.1 knots with smooth sea. Wind N by W force 1. Barometer 30.18 inches increasing to 30.26 at 0800 before falling to 30.24 at noon and to 30.19 at 1600 before finishing at 30.18 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F. 0100. Exercised sea boats crews. Exercised close watertight doors.  0150. Stopped sounded in 65 fathoms. Proceeded. 0345. Stopped. Sounded in 62 fathoms. 0455. Altered course to N20W. Eased to 45 revolutions. Connected steam wheel. 0536. 50 revolutions. 0550. Altered course as requisite through Fakk el Casas Strait (?). Working up to 85 revolutions. 0620. Proceeded at 85 revolutions. Altered course as requisite. 0700. Perforated Rock south two cables. Eased. Sounded in 21 fathoms. Proceeded S75W. 0900. Divisions and prayers. Exercised General Quarters.  Exercised Quarters – out collision mats. Put clock back 12 minutes. Surveying Boatswains and Carpenter’s stores. Employed as requisite. Noon. Position 26.12N. 55.21E. Wind WSW force 1.

  1. Altered course to west. Employed as requisite. 1710. Farue Island (?) abeam. Quarters. Prepared for firing. 1738. Stopped. Lowered steam cutter. Hoisted boiler with boat. 1800. Proceeded at 85 revolutions N71W. 2215. Stopped. Sounded in 40 fathoms. 2235. Exercised seaboat’s crews. 2250. Stopped sounded in 40 fathoms. 2350. Stopped. Sounded in 40 fathoms. Exercised close watertight doors. Coal expended 20 tons 19 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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