24 October 1889

At anchor off Zanzibar. Wind calm force 1 and overcast. Barometer 30.20 inches rising to 30.25 at 0800 before falling to 30.17 at 1600 and finishing at 30.28 inches at midnight. Temperature at noon 82F. 0430. Received 110 lbs of fresh beef and 55 lbs of vegetables. 0730. Took the Guard. 0740 HMS Boadicea weighed and proceeded to the south. 0850. BOADICEA saluted Sultan with 21 guns. Sultan yacht Glasgow returned salute with same number.

His Highness’ Ship Glasgow was a royal yacht belonging to the Sultan of Zanzibar. She was built in the style of the British frigate HMS Glasgow which had visited the Sultan in 1873. Glasgow cost the Sultan £32,735 and contained several luxury features but failed to impress the Sultan and she lay at anchor in harbour at Zanzibar Town for much of her career.

0915. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Marines at drill. Watch at cutlass drill. 0950. BOADICEA passed north. 1150. German corvette Corola arrived. Noon. Wind S by E force 2. 1330. Make and mend clothes. Privileged leave to watch. 1715. Mustered art Quarters. Coal expended 3 cwt. Number on sick list 10.

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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