HMS Cossack (R57)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Cossack.

HMS Cossack was a Royal Navy C-class destroyer launched on 10 May 1944.^[1]

HMS Cossack in 1945
History
United Kingdom
Name	HMS Cossack
Builder	Vickers-Armstrongs, High Walker
Launched	10 May 1944
Identification	Pennant number: R57
Fate	Scrapped on 1 March 1961
General characteristics
Class & type	C-class destroyer
Displacement	1,885 tons (1,915 tonnes) 2,545 tons full (2,585 tonnes)
Length	362.75 ft (110.57 m) o/a
Beam	35.75 ft (10.90 m)
Draught	11.75 ft (3.58 m)
Propulsion	2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers, Parsons single-reduction geared steam turbines, 40,000 shp (30 MW), 2 shafts
Speed	36 knots (67 km/h) / 32 knots (59 km/h) full
Range	4,675 nmi (8,658 km) at 20 knots (37 km/h) 1,400 nmi (2,600 km) at 32 knots (59 km/h)
Complement	186
Sensors & processing systems	Radar Type 275 fire control on director Mk.VI
Armament	4 × QF 4.5 in (114 mm) L/45 guns Mark IV on mounts CP Mk.V 2 × Bofors 40 mm L/60 guns on twin mount "Hazemeyer" Mk.IV 4 × anti-aircraft mountings; Single Bofors 40 mm Mk.III Single QF 2 - pdr Mk.VIII Mk.XVI Single Oerlikon 20 mm P Mk.III Twin Oerlikon 20 mm Mk.V 8 (2x4) tubes for 21 inch (533 mm) torpedoes Mk.IX 4 throwers and 2 racks for 96 depth charges

Operational Service

Cossack became leader of the 8th Destroyer Squadron in 1945, remaining leader of the Flotilla until 1956.^[2] Between 1950 and 1952 she was commanded by Varyl Begg.^[3] She saw action at the Battle of Pusan Perimeter during the Korean War.^[4] On 18 May 1951, Cossack intercepted the cargo ship Nancy Moller off Hainan, China. The ship was carrying a cargo of rubber bound for a Chinese port in contravention of a United Nations embargo.^[5][6] Nancy Moller was escorted back to Singapore.^[7]

Cossack supported Operation Grapple, the series of British nuclear weapons tests in 1957.^[2] On 8 December 1959 she arrived back at Devonport Dockyard after 15 years service in the Far East.^[2][8] The ship was scrapped in 1961.^[1]