Farthest South
Pushes south through the Ross Sea and reaches a new farthest south latitude near the Great Ice Barrier
Permanent historical records ยท Updated 2026-11-03
1842 in Great Britain
Explore 49 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1842.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1842
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 49 unique records.
49Unique records
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39Named events on this page
20Named people on this page
22Places on this page
February
November
Birth of John William Strutt
Birth of John William Strutt
Other events (month unknown)
Aberdeen Negotiates Northeast Boundary
Foreign Secretary Lord Aberdeen directed Britain's diplomacy during the Webster Ashburton negotiations over the North American boundary.
Ambassador
Appointed Minister of Constantinople, 3rd term
Ashburton Reaches Washington Agreement
Lord Ashburton represented Britain in the negotiations leading to the 1842 Webster Ashburton Treaty.
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.
Avon Valley Goods Traffic Develops
The Great Western Railway offered merchants a more direct land transport route for goods moving through the Bath area.
British Army Evacuates Kabul
Elphinstone's garrison leaves Kabul in January 1842 under an agreement that fails to ensure safe passage.
British Forces Withdraw From Kabul
Pollock's troops subsequently withdraw from Kabul as British policy abandons direct occupation.
British Relief Column Advances West
Pollock's forces push toward Kabul after overcoming Afghan resistance along the eastern approaches.
Chippenham Rail Services Consolidate
Regular services established Chippenham as part of the Great Western network serving Wiltshire communities.
Clifton Anchor Tunnels Completed
The bridge towers, abutments and four anchor tunnels are substantially completed before the project again runs short of money.
Clifton Tower And Anchorage Works Finished
The towers abutments and principal anchor tunnels had been substantially completed by 1842.
Cobden Opposes Peel Tariff Compromise
Cobden argued that modifying duties would not resolve the social and economic costs of protecting domestic grain.
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Discovery of James Ross Island
Explores the eastern side of what is now known as James Ross Island, discovering and naming Snow Hill Island and Seymour Island
Discovery of Ross Ice Barrier
Discovers the Ross Ice Barrier
Discovery of Snow Hill Island
Explores the eastern side of what is now known as James Ross Island, discovering and naming Snow Hill Island and Seymour Island
Extradition Treaty Covers Specified Crimes
The Webster Ashburton Treaty established extradition arrangements for several serious offenses between the two countries.
Factory Reform Movement Broadens Support
Ashley Cooper helped connect factory hours reform with wider concerns about industrial safety and welfare.
First Recorded Structural Dock Improvements
Significant works altered or strengthened the older basin fabric as Liverpool modernised its harbour. The change expanded options for the use of Liverpool dock facilities.
Four Chain Anchor Tunnels Completed
Work on the original Clifton bridge scheme produces four anchorage tunnels by 1842, alongside the towers and abutments intended to secure the proposed iron chains.
Governor
Appointed Governor of Jamaica
Great Britain Chain-Drive Machinery Developed
The ship's machinery uses a large chain drive to transmit engine power to the screw propeller.
Great Lakes Frontier Clarified By Treaty
The treaty adjusted and clarified portions of the boundary in the Great Lakes region.
Great Western Faces Steamship Competition
Rival steamship operators increased pressure on the commercial economics of the Bristol transatlantic enterprise.
HMS Rattler
Brunel assists the Royal Navy in fitting HMS Rattler with screw propulsion and suitable engines.
Hungerford Stone Towers Under Construction
Masonry towers were built to support the suspension chains and the elevated pedestrian deck.
Income Tax
Income tax is reintroduced to cope with the budget deficit
Legislation
Leader of the reforms for coal mines legislation, Coal Mines Act
May Voyage Sets Eastbound Speed Record
Great Western reclaimed a leading eastbound Atlantic crossing time in May 1842.
New Economic Reform Questions Arise
Peel's government confronted tariffs and taxation, adding to the policy questions of interest to the journal's readership.
Original Piers And Abutments Stand Ready
The principal stone piers and abutments of Brunel's original design are substantially complete by 1842, despite the continued absence of a suspended roadway.
Peel Revises Sliding Grain Duties
Peel's government reduced and adjusted the sliding scale of wheat import duties without yet abolishing protection.
Pollock Prepares Kabul Advance
George Pollock organizes a relief and punitive expedition after the destruction of the retreating Kabul garrison.
Pollock Recaptures Kabul
British forces under George Pollock reoccupy Kabul in September 1842 during the closing phase of the First Anglo Afghan War.
Reform of Taxation
Set at 7d in the pound with an exemption limit of ล150. Income tax is reintroduced to cope with the budget deficit
Reform of Workplace Conditions
Leader of the reforms for coal mines legislation, Coal Mines Act
Reform of Workplace Conditions
Prohibits the employment of women & children under ten underground
Rule of Hong Kong
Under the Treaty of Nanking Hong Kong is ceded to Britain
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.