14 June 1872

1330.Weighed under steam for Vuna Point. Wind southerly force 1. Barometer 30.12 inches. Light southerly wind.

0350. Observed land on port bow. Wind fell, furled sails and commenced steaming on E by N.

1315. Stopped and sent cutter sounding.

1330. Came to off Tarruna (?) Island with broken bottom in 32 fathoms and veered to 4 ¾ shackles. Anchorage bearings Coralib Island N22E. Vuna Point south.

Remarks

At Savu Savu there was a large store and ginning establishment and boat building shed which is considered the dockyard of Fiji. There are also a great many plantations more inland. The whites numbering about 200. Taveuni Island is considered the finest islands in the group and in consequence has a great many plantations. It is certainly the best in appearance. The weather during our stay was generally cloudy with occasional heavy showers. The wind veering from North, NNW to SSE and always light. The reef off Vuna Point showed out very plainly. At our anchorage we swung in 55 fathoms ( Coral) and inshore appeared to be foul ground. Better off we should not anchor in less than 30 fathoms.

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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