07 November 1897

At sea. Colombo to Trincomalee. Course N75E at 9.7 knots. Wind NNE force 2 to 3 with broken cloud and a slight sea. Barometer 29.93 inches falling to 29.91 at 0800 before rising to 29.95 at noon and finishing at 29.93 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 90F. 0112. Gt. Bass N70E. 0150. Altered course to N42E. Exercised Close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. O355. Little Bass N by E. 0405. Increased to 106 revolutions – 11.2 knots. 0525. Altered course to N10E. 0610. Little Bass abeam. 0800. Wind N force 2.  Divisions. 0930. Altered course to N6W. 0940. Increased revolutions to 109. 100. Performed Divine Service. Noon. Position 7.19N 81.55E. 11.4 knots. Wind N by W force 3. 1230. Altered course to N18W. 1435. Altered course to N29W. 1545. Batticaloa Light abeam. 1700. Quarters. 1715. Eased to 45 revolutions. Altered course to N13W. 1801. Increased to 60 revolutions – 6 knots. 1200. Wind NW force 3 to 4 with squalls and passing rain.

Batticaloa Lighthouse,

  1. Sounded -150 fathoms. 1025. Altered course to N17W. 2300. Sounded in 150 fathoms. 1105. Altered course to N20W. Midnight. Sounded in 150 fathoms. Exercised close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. Coal expended 23 tons 18 cwt. Number on sick list 8.
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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.

Anchor crest

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