William Ernest Bates – Mercantile Marine - S.S. Isleworth

Assistant Steward William Ernest Bates – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Isleworth

Early Life and Family Background

William Ernest Bates was born in 1876 in Germany, the son of Henry Bates and Eliza.

1911 Census

The available records for William are limited. The 1911 Census lists him under the name Ernest Bates, living with his mother, Eliza, who by that time had been widowed twice. Eliza, born in Wiltshire, was 70 years old and working as a boarding housekeeper at 43 Carlton Terrace, Swansea. Residing with her was her son Ernest, aged 35, employed as a fireman.

Also recorded in the household were three boarders: Thomas Ellwood, aged 27, a clerk; his wife Ethel, aged 22; and their infant daughter Mary, aged 1.

Service in the Mercantile Marine

During the First World War, William Ernest Bates served in the Mercantile Marine as an Assistant Steward aboard the S.S. Isleworth. As part of the catering staff, his duties would have included assisting with meal preparation and service for the crew and any passengers—a demanding role, particularly under wartime conditions when merchant ships operated under the constant threat of submarine attack.

The S.S. Isleworth

S.S. Isleworth

The S.S. Isleworth was a British steam cargo vessel of approximately 2,871 gross register tons, owned by Watts, Watts & Co. Ltd. of London. She was part of Britain’s merchant fleet, responsible for transporting vital supplies during the war.

On 30^th April 1918, while sailing in the English Channel near the Isle of Wight, about three miles southwest of Ventnor Pier, the Isleworth was torpedoed without warning and sunk by the German submarine UC-17. The ship went down quickly, resulting in the loss of 29 crew members, including Assistant Steward William Ernest Bates.

The destruction of the Isleworth occurred close to home waters, serving as a stark reminder that the dangers of submarine warfare extended not only across the open Atlantic but also to the approaches of Britain’s own shores. Merchant seamen like William faced immense risks as they carried out their essential work supplying the nation.

The German Submarine UC-17

The UC-17 was a Type UC II minelaying submarine of the Imperial German Navy, launched in February 1916 and commissioned in July 1916. Built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, it displaced about 417 tons surfaced and 493 tons submerged, measuring just under 50 metres in length. The submarine was armed with six mine tubes carrying up to 18 mines, three torpedo tubes with seven torpedoes, and an 8.8 cm deck gun.

Commanded during its operational career by several officers, UC-17 completed 21 patrols and was credited with sinking approximately 96 ships, representing more than 144,000 tons of Allied shipping. On 30^th April 1918, UC-17 torpedoed and sank the S.S. Isleworth off the Isle of Wight, resulting in the death of William Ernest Bates and most of the crew.

After the war, UC-17 was surrendered to the Allies on 26^th November 1918 and later broken up in 1919–1920. Its wartime record reflects the immense threat posed by German U-boats to Britain’s maritime trade and the high cost borne by the men of the Mercantile Marine.

Loss at Sea and Commemoration

S.S. Isleworth
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial 

S.S. Isleworth
Tower Hill Memorial, London
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial 

William Ernest Bates lost his life on 30^th April 1918, when the S.S. Isleworth was sunk in the English Channel. Like so many of his fellow Mercantile Marine sailors, he served courageously in a civilian capacity, sustaining Britain’s war effort through perilous conditions at sea.

His name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours the men and women of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets who died at sea during the First World War and have no known grave but the ocean.

Legacy

Though little is known of his personal life, William Ernest Bates’s story reflects the quiet courage and dedication of the thousands of merchant seamen who gave their lives during the First World War. His service aboard the S.S. Isleworth stands as a lasting tribute to the men who kept Britain supplied during its darkest hours, ensuring the lifelines of trade and transport remained open despite the deadly threat of enemy submarines.