14 March 1870

Latitude 4.32S. Longitude 55.27E. Wind at 0100 NE force 1 becoming calm until 1600 when it came from the west at force 1 until 2000 when it became calm again. Course Easterly.

0200 Altered course to east.

0345 Sounded in 35 fathoms (sand).

0415. Observed land bearing east to ESE.

0435. Altered course to E by S.

0800. Squared yards. Mustered at Quarters.

0930 North Isle and Silhouette Island in one bearing N by E1/4 E. Praslin Island ENE. Training party at gun drill. Watch fitting gun gear.

1310. Received pilot on board..

1400 Came to with broken bottom in 11 fathoms.. Moored ship with 4 shackles on broken bottom and three on sandy bottom. Out small boats. Unrove messenger. Employed scrubbing hammocks and washing clothes. Anchorage bearings – English church W1/2 N; North Maki N ½ E

(Praslin Island – the second largest island of the Seychelles, lying 44 km northeast of Mahé. Praslin has a population of around 7,533 people and comprises two administrative districts: Baie Sainte Anne and Grand’ Anse.

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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