22 January 1898

At sea – cruising. Course N22E at 6.9 knots. Wind NNE force 2with overcast sky. Barometer 30.18 inches rising to 30.20 at 0800 and then to 30.25 at noon before finishing at 30l20 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 75F. 0005. Reduced to 62 revolutions. 0330. Reduced to 60 revolutions. 0424. Sighted search light NNW. 0610. Altered course SSW. Stopped. 0625. Land east by north. 0635. Proceeded S27W at 30 revolutions. Sighted REBREAST flying wheft.

noun (Naut.) A kind of streamer or flag used either as a signal, or at the masthead for ornament or to indicate the direction of the wind to aid in steering.

  1. Increased to 85 revolutions. 0745. Altered course as requisite to close REDBREAST. 0810. Stopped. REDBREAST communicated. Engines as requisite to keep ship head to sea. 1055. REDBREAST parted company. 1100 to 1205. Observed Eclipse of sun. 1105. Proceeded north at 85 revolutions. Employed as requisite. Noon. Position 22.21N 60.4E. Wind force 3 to 4 with broken cloud and mist. 1225. Observed HMS Lapwing to NW. 1300. Reduced to 30 revolutions. 1400. Altered course to N by W. Routine. 1900. Quarters. Altered course to WSW at 2.5 knots. 1920. Out bow and steam lights. 2000. Altered course north. 2200. Stopped port engine. 2228. Stopped starboard engine.23. Sighted steam ship to S14E. 2345. Proceeded at 65 revolutions to close ship. Extinguished all lights. Coal expended 10 tons 12 cwt. Number on sick list 6.
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?