COSSACK was informed the CCRAK Arlene would arrive at Yang do at 1800 that day, from Yo do (Wonsan). Later this was amended to the 13th. Not being sighted that day enquiries led to a reply that she would sail at 0830 and arrive at 2130. At 1600 COSSACK proceeded to the southwest in an attempt to contact her before dark. There was thick fog but a vessel was soon picked up by radar which proved to be another CCRAK ship – the Sea Turtle – also on her way to Yang do. Nothing had been known about this ship. The COSSACK searched some 45 45 miles to the southwest but failed to find the elusive Arlene. Eventually USS Wiltsie reported at 0130 on the 14th that she had picked up the crew of the ARLENE. They had abandoned ship after running ashore at 2115 on 12th June – some nine hours before she had left Yo do! This discrepancy has never been cleared up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
