14 August 1898

At sea Gibraltar to Plymouth. Course N2E at 8.2 knots with sea swell. Wind north force 3 with blue sky and mist. Barometer 30.12 inches rising to 30.13 at 0800 before falling to 30.12 at noon then rising to 30.30 inches at 2000 where it finished at midnight. Temperature at noon 71F. 0100. Sighted Cape Espichel Light NE.

  1. Exercised sea boats crews and watch at close watertight doors. 0400. Sighted Cape Rocha Light N30E. 0415. Espichel Light abeam. 0424. Observed land on starboard beam. 0530. Cape Espichel S69 ½ E.0600. Observed Deviation of standard compass 3.2 degrees west. 0618. Altered course to N22E – compass. 0755. Sounded in 51 fathoms. 0800 Wind NNE force 2 with overcast sky, fog and wet dew. 0900. Ship passed through heavy fog bank at 8.8 knots. 0945. Divisions. 1100. Ship passed through heavy fog bank 1130. Observed land on starboard beam. 1200. Performed Divine Service. Sounded in 56 fathoms. Position 39.20N 9.40W at 8.8 knots. Wind NNE force 1 to 2. 1210. Observed ???? (Unable to read writing)N58E 1213. Observed Barlings N78E. 1220. Passed P&O SS Orient. 1630. Observed total error of standard compass 20.50 west. 1700. Quarters. Furled awnings leaving Poop awnings spread. 2000. Observed total error for standard compass 21.18 west. Coal expended 26 tons 16 cwt. Number on sick list 6.
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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.

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