A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Hancock, James Kinneer
HANCOCK. (Lieutenant, 1843.)
James Kinneer Hancock is son of the late Rear-Admiral Rich. Turner Hancock.
This officer entered the Royal Naval College 7 June, 1832; and embarked, in 1834, as a Volunteer, on board the North Star 28, commanded in South America by Capt. Octavius Vernon Harcourt. Becoming Midshipman, in Nov. 1836, of the Samarang 26, Capts. Wm. Broughton and Jas. Scott, he eventually, after a continued servitude on the latter station, where he passed his examination in the summer of 1839, proceeded to China. He came home in Aug. 1841, but being again ordered to China towards the close of the same year in the Belleisle troop-ship, Capt. John Kingcome, arrived there in time to witness the final operations in the Yang-tse-Kiang. For a short time previous to the receipt of his commission, which bears date 20 Sept. 1843, and which was given to him in consequence of the recommendation of Capt. Kingcome, we find Mr. Hancock successively employed in the Starling surveying-vessel, Capt. Hen. Kellett, and Cornwallis 72, flag-ship of Sir Wm. Parker. He then Joined the Minden, Capt. Michael Quin, Hospital-ship at Hong Kong, whence he returned to England in Jan. 1845 on board the Pelican 16, Capt. Philip Justice. He has been serving on the coast of Africa since 26 May, 1845, as First of the Hecate steam-sloop, Capt. Joseph West.