Sir James Charles | |
|---|---|
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| Born | James Thomas Walter Charles 2 August 1865[1] Hursley, Hampshire, England |
| Died | 16 July 1928 (aged 62) |
| Occupation(s) | Ship's captain, Commodore of Cunard Line (1921) |
| Years active | 1880-1928 |
Sir James Thomas Walter Charles KBE CB RD RNR (2 August 1865 – 16 July 1928) was a British ocean liner captain and later Commodore of the Cunard Steamship Company.[1]
He first went to sea at the age of 15 in 1880, sailing on barques around Cape Horn South Africa[clarification needed]. At Cunard he rose through the ranks and commanded the RMS Lusitania and RMS Mauretania, among others, before and during World War I. In March 1918 he was given command of the RMS Aquitania. He was knighted for his wartime service in 1920 and made Commodore of the Cunard Line in 1921. He was due to retire on 2 August 1928[2] when he suffered an internal hemorrhage while in command of the Aquitania on a return voyage to Southampton.[3]
- ^ a b "Obituary: Sir James Charles – Commodore of the Cunard Fleet". The Times.
- ^ The Midland Journal, September 21, 1928 [*this paper got his retirement late as he had already died by the time it was printed]
- ^ The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.) July 16, 1928 [NOTED SEA CAPTAIN DIES ON LAST TRIP----Sir James Charles of Aquitania Expires Just After His Liner Docks