23 February 1894

Moored to number 1 buoy at Bombay. Wind NE force 1 with mist. Barometer 30.05 inches rising to 30.06 at 0800 and to 30.14 at noon before falling to 29.43 at 1600 then rising to 30.00 at 2000 before finishing at 30.03 at midnight. Temperature at noon 86F. 0530. Unmoored ship and proceeded in company with MARATHON, REDBREAST, LAPWING, ASSAYE and three torpedo boats. Tested life buoys – found correct.  Steaming as requisite for engaging the defences of Bombay. 1010. Commenced firing at Calaba (Kolaba) forts and manoeuvring as requisite for general attack on the Hasbro defences.  1151. Ceased firing and finished engagement. Proceeded as requisite for rendezvous.

Kolaba Fort located at Alibag beach is an old fortified maritime base in Alibag, Konkan, India. It is situated in the sea at a distance of 1–2 km from the shores of Alibag, 35 km south of Mumbai, in the Konkan region of Maharashtra, India. It is a popular tourist destination and a protected monument. (Wikipedia)

Noon. Wind NE force 1 with broken cloud.  1250 Light ship abeam. 1414. Fleet exercised at steam tactics. 1545. Course E by N. Single line ahead. 1750. Stopped. 1600. Wind NE force 4 1830. Proceeded in open order for general attack on Bombay. 2110. Manned and armed ship. Exercised General Quarters repelling torpedo attack and engaging forts. Sent steam cutter to MARATHON. 1055. Steam cutter returned. Ceased fire. Proceeded out of harbour. Midnight. Stopped. Came to with pebble bottom in 7 fathoms and veered to 3 shackles. Anchor bearings S by E ¾ E. East ¾ N. coal expended 19 tons 13 cwt. Number on sick list 5.

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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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