Cossack-class corvette

The Cossack-class corvettes were two 20-gun first-class corvettes, initially under construction in Britain for the Imperial Russian Navy. These ships were seized on 5 April 1854, after the outbreak of the Crimean War.

HMS Cossack, 1860s
Class overview
Name	Cossack class
Builders	W. & H. Pitcher, Northfleet
Operators	Royal Navy
Preceded by	HMS Pylades
Succeeded by	Pearl class
Planned	2
Completed	2
Retired	2
General characteristics
Type	Corvette
Displacement	1,965 tons
Tons burthen	1,32260⁄94 tons bm
Length	195 ft (59 m) (gundeck) 172 ft 1.4 in (52.461 m) (keel)
Beam	38 ft 6 in (11.73 m)
Height	22 ft 4 in (6.81 m)
Draught	17 ft 7 in (5.36 m) (forward) 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m) (aft)
Installed power	250 nominal horsepower
Propulsion	2-cylinder horizontal single expansion steam engine Single screw
Crew	270
Armament	18 × 68-pounder (60cwt) MLSB guns 2 × 68-pounder (95cwt) guns

History

The Imperial Russian Navy had ordered two ships, to be named Vityaz and Voin, for the sum of £46,198 (including £16,750 for the machinery) for both ships. After their seizure from the builders, HMS Cossack was bought for £9,591 (including £4,187 for the machinery) plus £715 for excess of tonnage on the ship, £2,206 for modifications made for British service. HMS Tartar was bought for £16,607 (including £4,187 for the machinery) plus £715 for excessive tonnage and £1,883 in modifications for British service.^[1] The ships' modifications and fittings were completed at Chatham Dockyard between 1854 and 1855.^[2]

Characteristics

The two Cossack-class ships had eighteen 8in-guns on the upper deck, as well as two 68 pdr-pivot guns. Their crew complement was 270.^[3]

Ships

• HMS Cossack
• HMS Tartar