Name HMS Cossack Launched 15 May 1854 Draft 2.7 m | Decommissioned 1875 Length 59 m | |
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Name Witjas (Russian Витязь) Fate Seized while under construction in 1854 Builder W. & H. Pitcher, Northfleet Fate Sold to Castle for breaking in May 1875 | ||
HMS Cossack was a wooden 20-gun corvette, built at Northfleet and launched on 15 May 1854. She was originally laid down for the Imperial Russian Navy as the corvette Witjas, however was confiscated during the Crimean War in 1854.
She was commissioned and sailed for the Baltic Sea. During the Crimean War, four vessels of the Royal Navy - Arrogant, Cossack, Magicienne, and Ruby - silenced the Russian batteries at a fort on Gogland on 21 July 1855. Cossack also participated in the blockade of the Courland coast, in July 1855 helped in the capture of Kotka's Island and in August was part of the bombardment of Sveaborg.
Her next posting was on Cape of Good Hope Station, she transported Sir George Grey to his posting as Governor of New Zealand in 1861. She was later sent to China Station before joining the Australia Station in September 1871. She left the Australia Station in 1873 and sailed for England.
She was sold to Castle for breaking up at Charlton in May 1875.