13 April 1889

At single anchor in Port Malinda. Position at noon. 3.39S 59.58E. Wind SSE force 2 with broken cloud and lightning. Barometer 29.74 inches rising to 29.78 at noon before falling to 29.74 at midnight. Temperature at noon 78F. 0615. Weighed and proceeded out of harbour. 0630. 70 revolutions. 0710. Vasco da Gama Pillar W by N 3 ½ miles (Picture below.) 

Shaped course to S by W at 6 knots. Wind south force 2. 0830. Altered course to SW ½ S. 1000 altered course to SW ½ W at 3.8 knots. Employed cleaning ship throughout. 1115. Stopped and examined dhow then proceeded. 1145 Altered course to SSW. 1200. Eased to 32 revolutions – 1.8 knots. Wind SE force 3 to 4. Gloomy dark weather with rain and lightning. 1300 increased to 70 revolutions – 7 knots. Course as requisite to close dhow. 1350 Stopped and examined dhow. 1400 proceeded SSW at 40 revolutions – 4 knots. Employed as requisite. 1600 Altered course to NE by E. Increased to 45 revolutions – 4.8 knots. Wind SW force 3 with continuous rain.1715 Mustered Quarters. 2000. Altered course to NE at 4.5 knots. Wind south with passing showers. Coal expended 13 tons. Number on sick list 9.

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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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