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The following is the entry for James Paterson Bower in William O'Byrnes 1849 'Naval Biographical Dictionary'.
BOWER. (Captain, 1845.) James Paterson Bower entered the Navy 6 May, 1820; passed his examination in 1826; Obtained his first commission 10 Jan. 1837; and after serving for some time as Additional-Lieutenant in the Dublin 50, and President 52, flag-ships on the South American station of Rear-Admirals Sir Graham Eden Hamond and Chas. Bayne Hodgson Ross, was appointed, 10 July, 1838, to the Samarang 26, Capts. Wm. Broughton and Jas. Scott. With the latter officer he served, as his First Lieutenant, throughout the Chinese Campaign; and on every occasion of hazard or difficulty on which he was employed his zeal and gallantry drew forth the highest official notice. At the taking of Tycocktow, 7 Jan. 1841, he received a severe sabre-cut across the knee while heading the party which stormed and carried the fort; and not long afterwards (Feb. 23 ), in following up the success which led to the capture of a masked battery of 20 guns at the back of Anunghoy, he came upon the rear-guard of the Chinese, and bore away their colours. In March he again signalized himself by the dashing manner in which he took possession of the fort of Feeshukok, mounting 7 guns, whence the enemy had opened a heavy fire of grape. The latter service was performed during the celebrated forced passage, effected between 3 a.m. on the 13th and 4 p.m. on the 15th, by the Nemesis and the Samarang's boats up the inner Channel from Macao to Whampoa, a navigation never before traversed by European boat or vessel, in the course of which were destroyed five forts, one battery, two military stations, and nine man-of-war junks, in which collectively were 115 guns and 8 ginjalls. Being rewarded for his continued gallantry with a Commander’s commission, dated on 6 May in the same year, Capt. Bower, on 23 Dec. 1843, assumed command of the Hecate steam-sloop, and was for 18 months employed in the discharge of various particular duties. He was advanced (on his return home from Malta with the body of the late Admiral Sir Philip C.C.H. Durham, G.C.B.) to the rank he now holds 23 July, 1845, and has since been on half-pay. Agents – Messrs. Stilwell. |
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