Prior to becoming a pirate, Gates served in the Navy as a Master Gunner – though he also played a secondary role that was utilized more frequently. A notorious crack shot, Gates was often placed in the crows nest to take aim at specific targets on enemy ships. It would be this particular skill that would ultimately put an end to a steady and rising career track. 

Known as he was for being such an impeccable shot, Gates was challenged to a duel rather conveniently after he had received a grievous head injury. As the failure to accept would have resulted in catastrophic effects on not only his career, but the career of his captain, he declared himself fit enough and went to the disclosed meet up.

It was there, that in his attempt to keep from killing the upstart young lord, that Gates made a fatal error in judgement. His shot went true on account of perception disruption – had he aimed what he believed to be properly, the fellow might have in fact been spared. By canting to miss, he ended up shooting the man directly in the throat.

The consequence of this action was certain execution, and Gates was forced to flee immediately. He managed to sequester passage on board a merchant ship – and has not looked back on England since. His capabilities as a marksman did not wane however, as the damage wore off – it would not be until arthritis set into his hands and a dimness took to his eyes that Gates would go from being a crack shooter, to a simple, steady shot.