A Naval Biographical Dictionary/West, James Banks
WEST. (Commander, 1846.)
James Banks West entered the Navy 7 March, 1821; passed his examination in 1827; and obtained his first commission 25 June, 1831. His succeeding appointments were – 27 Sept. 1837, to the Tyne 26, Capt. John Townshend – 15 May, 1838, to the Beacon surveying-vessel, Capt. Thos. Graves – 29 Dec. 1840, as First-Lieutenant (a post he had filled for a year on board the Beacon) to the Hastings 72, Capt. John Lawrence – 30 Aug. 1841, in a similar capacity, to the Aigle 24, Capt. Lord Clarence Edw. Paget – and 11 Sept. 1846, again as Senior (after about 12 months of half-pay) to the America 50., Capt. Hon. John Gordon, lying at Devonport. All the above ships, with the exception of the one last mentioned, were stationed in the Mediterranean. Since 12 Aug. 1848, Commander West, who attained his present rank 9 Nov. 1846, has been serving as Second-Captain in the Southampton 50, flag-ship of Rear-Admiral Barrington Reynolds at the Cape of Good Hope. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell.