Hosken Selected For Great Western Command
Royal Navy lieutenant James Hosken was appointed to command Great Western before her inaugural Atlantic service.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
James Hosken Biography and Timeline
Follow James Hosken through 33 dated historical records for Great Britain.
James Hosken, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
33Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1837–1846Years on this page
1837
1838
Great Western Cabin Fares Advertised
Contemporary advertisements under Captain Hosken offered cabin passage to New York with provisions included in the fare.
Great Western Advertises Direct Atlantic Route
The advertised direct passage under Captain Hosken promised that Great Western would avoid a routine coal stop in Ireland.
New York Sailing Notice Names Commander
Public notices identified Lieutenant James Hosken as commander of the steamship's first transatlantic service.
First Sailing Carries Few Passengers
The ship began her inaugural Atlantic voyage with few passengers after the earlier fire discouraged some prospective travellers.
First Ocean Crossing Uses Steam Power
Captain Hosken demonstrated that a large paddle steamer could cross the North Atlantic while relying predominantly on steam propulsion.
Great Western Competes With Sirius
Great Western reached New York shortly after Sirius despite having left Britain later and having taken much less time at sea.
Inaugural Crossing Wins Speed Recognition
Great Western's first westbound Atlantic crossing established a leading passage time for early transatlantic steamships.
Great Western Prepares New York Return
Following the inaugural arrival, Captain Hosken prepared the ship for her first eastbound passage to Britain.
First Return Voyage Leaves New York
Great Western departed New York on 7 May for the first homeward voyage of her scheduled steamship service.
First Homeward Crossing Reaches Bristol
The ship returned to Bristol on 22 May after a successful inaugural round trip between Britain and America.
Western Establishes Eastbound Passage Record
Great Western set an important early benchmark for the speed of eastbound Atlantic steamship travel.
June Atlantic Crossing Improves Westbound Time
During a subsequent 1838 voyage Great Western improved her westbound crossing time as the crew gained ocean steaming experience.
July Eastbound Run Sets Faster Benchmark
Great Western reduced her eastbound Atlantic passage time again during the summer of 1838.
Scheduled Atlantic Steam Service Continues
Under Captain Hosken, Great Western continued regular North Atlantic crossings following her successful first round trip.
Passenger Service Demonstrates Ocean Reliability
Repeated voyages supported the case that steamships could maintain a commercially useful service across the North Atlantic.
Captain Reports Early Steamship Performance
Experience gathered under Captain Hosken provided practical evidence about fuel consumption and handling on lengthy steam powered voyages.
Atlantic Mail Conveyance Gains New Route
Great Western carried letters as well as passengers and freight, contributing to faster communications across the ocean.
New York Passenger Booking Service Established
The ship's first arrival allowed operators to advertise and book return accommodation from New York to Bristol.
1839
May Voyage Improves Westbound Atlantic Record
A May crossing by Great Western established a faster westbound Atlantic passage time under Captain Hosken.
Hosken Receives Commemorative Telescope
Passengers presented Captain Hosken with a telescope to commemorate an exceptionally rapid westbound crossing in May 1839.
1840
Atlantic Steamer Returns After Refit
Great Western continued her transatlantic career after modifications designed to improve carrying capacity.
Great Western Faces Cunard Competition
The arrival of Cunard steamers created a powerful new competitor for Great Western's North Atlantic passenger service.
1841
October Bristol Sailing Advertised
A surviving sailing notice advertised a Great Western departure from Bristol in October 1841 under Captain Hosken.
Passenger Notices Specify Cabin Charges
The company's 1841 advertising offered specified cabin fares and separate charges for some passengers and animals.
Cunard Advances Westbound Crossing Standard
Great Western faced faster rival services as Cunard's Columbia displaced her earlier westbound crossing benchmark.
1842
Western Uses Liverpool As Alternate Port
Great Western began alternating her British terminus between Bristol and Liverpool during 1842.
May Voyage Sets Eastbound Speed Record
Great Western reclaimed a leading eastbound Atlantic crossing time in May 1842.
Atlantic Route Adapts To Port Demand
The steamship's use of Liverpool as well as Bristol reflected the changing commercial geography of Atlantic passenger traffic.
1843
Liverpool Becomes Main Western Terminus
From 1843 Great Western operated her North Atlantic voyages primarily from Liverpool rather than Bristol.
May Westbound Passage Wins New Record
Great Western briefly regained a leading westbound Atlantic passage record during May 1843.
Lloyds Underwriters Honour Captain Hosken
Lloyd's underwriters gave Captain Hosken a gold watch in recognition of his safe navigation of many Atlantic passages aboard Great Western.
1846
Great Western Ends North Atlantic Service
Great Western was withdrawn from her original North Atlantic operation after the 1846 season.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.