A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Bate, William Thornton
BATE. (Lieutenant, 1841. f-p., 16; h-p., 0.)
William Thornton Bate entered the Navy 2 Sept. 1831; passed his examination 1 May, 1839; served as Mate on board the Blenheim 72, Capt. Thos. Herbert, and Wellesley 72, bearing the broad pendant of Sir Gordon Bremer; and for his services during the operations of May, 1841, against Canton, where he was wounded, was awarded a commission, dated on 8 of the following Oct.[1] As Additional-Lieutenant of the Bentinck 10, Capt. Rich. Collinson, he was subsequently employed on shore at the capture of Chapoo, 18 May, 1842, on which occasion, after assisting in landing the troops, he accompanied them in their advance, and by his spirited exertions succeeded in making prisoner a Chinese officer holding the rank of Colonel,[2] He next served, with Capt. Collinson, on board the Plover surveying-vessel; and since 8 July, 1843, has been in command, also in the East Indies, of the Young Hebe tender.