Zanzibar to Kilifi. Course ENE at 2 knots with smooth sea. Wind East force 2 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.82 inches rising to 29.90 at noon before falling to 29.83 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 81F. 0500. Altered course to west..0645. Observed Kilifi River Beacons. 0730 Altered course to WSW and increased to half speed. 0800. Wind North force 2. Working engines as requisite. 0915 Mustered by divisions. 1000. Stopped and came to in Kilifi Harbour with broken bottom in 7 fathoms and veered to 2 ¼ shackles. At single anchor. Banked fires. Condensing. Employed variously. Divers examining ship’s bottom. Tested out guncotton and warheads of Whitehead torpedoes. Noon. Wind E by S force 1. Draught of water forward 13 feet 6 inches. Aft 15 feet 5 inches. Employed as in forenoon and as requisite. Divers examining ship’s bottom. 1600. Wind increased to force 2. 1615 mustered by Quarters. Scrubbed hammocks and washed clothes. Coal expended 6 tons 19 cwt.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
