27 March 1889

Kilifi – cruising. At single anchor. Wind West force 1 cloudy with passing showers. Barometer 29.84 inches falling to 29.87 at 2000. Temperature at noon 86F. 0700. Received 160 lbs of fresh beef. 0800. Wind NW force 1. Sent steam cutter and gig to cruise entrance. 0845. Weighed and proceeded out of harbour. 0900. Shaped to south. 0950. Mustered by Divisions and read prayers. Employed as requisite. Firing cannon tube ammunition at target. Noon. Altered course to north at 3 knots. Wind SW force 2. 1300. Observed a Man of War astern. Altered course to close. 1400. Communicated with HMS M… (Unable to read handwriting). 1430. Increased to 80 revolutions. – 6.5 knots. Proceed to Kilifi. Firing tube ammunition at target. 1545. Came to in Kilifi harbour with sandy bottom in 13 ½ fathoms and veered to 1 ½ shackles. Steam cutter and gig returned. Wind ESE force 1. 1750 Weighed and proceeded out of harbour. 1900 Shaped course to south at 30 revolutions – 3 knots.

Coal expended 9 tons 11 cwt. Number on sick list 6.

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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