14 May 1894

Trincomlee to Colombo. At Sea. Course S41W at 6.5 knots. Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud with a moderate sea and SW swell. Barometer 29.95 inches rising to 29.96 at 0800 and rising to 29.98 at 1600 before falling to 29.95 at 2000 and finishing at 30.05 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 85F. 0020. Little Basses Light abeam. 0110. Great Basses SW by W 1/2W.  0305. Course S71W. 0400. Wind SW force 5 with broken cloud, squalls and passing rain. 0730. Course S81W magnetic at 7.2 knots. 0800. Wind SW force 4 to 5 with broken cloud. Divisions.  Seamen Gunners of watch at cutlass drill.  Employed as requisite. Dondra Head Lighthouse NW1/2 W.

Pagola anchorage W by N ½ N. Steaming at 75 revolutions. 7.2 knots.  Noon. Position. 5.521/2N. 80.441/2E. Course S82 W. Wind SW force 4. 1300. Lost overboard by accident one marling spike. 1400. Ordinary Seamen at seamanship. 1545. Course N65W. 1600. Wind SW force 2 to 3 with broken cloud. 1700. Quarters. 1750. Galle Light House and Haycock ahead. Manned and armed ship. 1830. Course N79W. 200. Exercises man and arm ship firing cannon and tube quick fire at target. 2109. Course N8W2229. Barberyn Light N20E. Coal expended 22 tons 4 cwt. Number on sick list 7.

 

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?