21 July 1872

Wind ESE force 1 becoming easterly force 2.

0530. Weighed and stood east for Mataatu and at 0650 anchored in 10 fathoms with broken bottom. Anchorage bearings. North Point N84E. North of river S26W.

Performed Divine Service. The white people residing here are the missionary and the hands belonging to Mr Webber’s cocoa nut establishment. People seem to think that Safoone is the best harbour being more sheltered from the eastward.

The plan of Mataatu is certainly correct and the North Point is made very conspicuous by the large red house and flagstaff with the German flag generally hoisted ( That belongs to Mr Webber) – also a low black rock rather like wharf shows very well against the white sand on either side. A little tot the right of this is a landing place or rather a place for boats landing. Here the natives came off in great numbers with fowls and yarns etc which were exchanged for clothing. The middle aged appeared to be all over at Apia.

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE

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.

READ MORE