Experiments are described in which shock speeds up to 1% of the speed of light were achieved in gaseous hydrogen or deuterium. Separation between the transverse shock wave and the drive current are clearly observed. The density and magnetic field shock compressions are measured and the post‐shock electron temperature, determined from plasma x‐ray bremsstrahlung spectra, is found to be about107 °K. Neutron emission was detected from shocks in deuterium. The axial electric field in the shock structure is measured and interpreted as resulting from a combination of Hall effect and ion displacement current.