In 1835 he entered the Royal Navy and served as a midshipman on the coast of Brazil in the suppression of the slave trade, displaying much gallantry in the operations.

He had the good fortune to run the blockade eighteen times, conveying war material to Charleston and returning with a cargo of cotton.

[2] In 1867 he became “naval adviser to the Ottoman Sultan by his brother's recommendation.”[5] He was immediately nominated to the command of that fleet, with the rank of "Bahriye Livasi" (rear-admiral).

In 1874 Hobart, whose name had, on representations made by Greece, been removed from the British Navy Directory, was reinstated; his restoration did not, however, last long, for on the outbreak of the Russo-Turkish war he again entered Ottoman service.

[2] On the conclusion of peace Hobart still remained in Ottoman service, and in 1881 was appointed Mushir, or marshal, being the first Christian to hold that high office.