08 November 1897

At sea. Colombo to Trincomalee. Course N20W at 5.9 knots. Wind NW 3 with overcast sky and a slight swell. Barometer 29.94 inches rising to 30.05 at 0800before falling to 29.95 at 1600 and finishing at 29.97 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 80F. 0100. Altered course to NNW. Sounded in 150 fathoms. Increased to 65 revolutions. 0200Eased to 40 Revolutions. Sounded in 170 fathoms. 0230. Eased to 35 revolutions. Altered course to NW by N. 0300. Sounded in 180 fathoms.  Exercised close watertight doors. Exercised sea boats crews. 0400. Sounded in 150 fathoms. 0500. Sounded in 150 fathoms.  0530. Altered course to W by N. Increased to 85 revolutions – 9 knots. 0715 altered course to N20W. Increased to 90 revolutions. 0800. Wind NNW force 2 with passing rain. 0836. Foul Point Light House N51W.

  1. altered course to NW. Divisions and prayers. 0945. Altered course to S61W. 1000. Proceeded as requisite in to harbour. 1045. Came to over sandy bottom at 20 fathoms. Veered to 5 shackles on single anchor. Flag, MELPOMENE and REBREAST in harbour. 1130. Banked fire in 1, 3 and 4 boilers. Noon. Wind NNW force 1 with broken cloud. 1300. Running harbour torpedoes. Made four runs. 1400. Preparing for coaling. 1500 Distilling with number 2 boiler. 1700. Quarters. Let fires die out in all boilers. 1800. Special leave to port watch. Coal expended 8 tons 9 cwt. Number on sick list 8.
https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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.

https://hms-cossack.co.uk/app/uploads/2025/08/icon-ship-wheel.png

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

Receive our newsletters?