21 March 1889

Off Kilifi and Ras Gomany (Cruising somewhere between modern day Watamu and Malindi). Position at noon 3.10S 40.16E. At single anchor. Wind NW force 1 with broken cloud. Barometer 29.80 rising to 29.82 at noon before falling to 29.78 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 87F with a sea temperature of 84F. 0400. Detached steam cutter and gig to cruise at Kilifi. 0600 Observed HMS Turquoise in offing. 0615 Weighed and proceeded out of anchorage.  Lost by fouling screw one hand lead and line of 20 fathoms. 0700. Stopped and communicated with TURQUOISE. 0750. Proceeded NE ½ E at 55 revolutions – 5 knots. 0800. Wind WNW force 1. 0915 Mustered by divisions. Read prayers. Exercised “Close watertight doors” and “Set collision mat”. Marines at drill. Magazine men at drill. 1300. Altered course to N by E. 1340. Altered course to close two dhows on starboard beam. Fired gun to bring dhows to. 1500 Stopped and boarded the dhows. 

Make and mend clothes. 1530. Proceeded NNW. 1600 wind NE with light airs. 1700. Mustered at Quarters. 1745. Stopped and came to under Ras Gomany (3.0S 40.14E) with sandy bottom in 8 fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. Banked fires. Anchorage bearings magnetic.  Ras Gomany S26E.  Sandhills S46W. Coal expended 10 tons 2 cwt. Number on sick list 9.

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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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