17 April 1889

At single anchor in Kilifi harbour. Wind calm force 0. With broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 rising to 29.85 at noon falling to 29.72 inches at 1600 before rising to 29.82 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F. 0600 wind West force 1 Sent steam cutter and whaler to cruise in entrance. 0615 weighed and proceeded out of harbour. 0715. Shaped to NE by E at 36 revolutions – 2 knots. 0915. Mustered by Divisions. Inspected arms. Read prayers. Employed as requisite.

Noon position 3.22S 40.17E. Altered course to N by E. 1430 Altered course to NW by N. Employed as previous. 1430. Stopped and came to in Port Melinda with sandy bottom in 7 ½ fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. 1600 Banked fires. 1715 Mustered at Quarters. Anchorage bearings Flag staff S43W Vasco de Gamas Pillar S11W magnetic. Coal expended 8 tons 12 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

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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