User:Gbm60/William Pile of Sunderland

'His genius was displayed in the building of ships, wherein he was not excelled. As Watt was great as a builder of engines; and Stephenson was great as a builder of railways; so William Pile was great as a builder of ships.'

Childhood
'Born at Southwick, Sunderland on the 10th October 1822, to a family of shipbuilders. At a very early age he took great interest in everything connected with ships and could not be kept out of the shipyard. In 1823 he came to reside in Monkwearmouth and though only 5 years of age he began to show the natural art of his genius by constructing little ships with paper sails which he sailed in the ponds and streams in the locality. From these he advanced to nice little yachts with cotton sails'

'It is said that as he grew older, William Pile walked the banks of the Wear from the first shipyard to the last, night after night, never growing tired of seeing ships in the various stages of construction.'

'The writer of this having known him personally, and with greatest intimacy from childhood, can bear testimony to the good traits in the character of this eminent shipbuilder. I can remember, when quite a boy, how very fond he was of cutting out small models of ships and sailing them in the pools left by the receding tide at the Potato Garth, east of Sand Point. When questioned as to the form of his miniature vessel, he would invariably quote his favourite lines which he never forgot, and in many instances adhered to them:— "Cod head and mackeral tail, That's the ship for a canny good sail."'

Education
'He received little education. He disliked school'

'Mr. Pile, as has been stated, received very little education, and was put to work very young; ... To the last he was more practical than theoretical. He was one of the last and best of the old school, who disregarded and almost despised theories and formulae, and who trusted more to their own well trained eye and mature judgment as the work went on than to plan or rule.... Ships, and how best to build them, where his constant study. He was constantly watching the progress of the ships he had built, corresponding with their captains, and noting how they acquitted themselves.... His custom was to seek information where he thought it was to be got, and to get it he used periodically to visit the largest ports of the United Kingdom; and he used to say even to the last that he never went anywhere without learning something.'

Shipwright Training
It appears that his mother and or father did not want him to work in the ship yards as his first work was 'turning the wheel to the spinners in Mr. John Hay's ropery'. This employment did not last very long as he ended his engagement by running away from the job after only six weeks.'

His family must have relented as it is recorded that 'He served his time as a shipwright with his father'. In 1836 (aged 14) his father and brothers moved to Stockton. He accompanied them, and continued his apprenticeship their until a serious accident which nearly cut his right hand in two. He did not however finish his apprenticeship with his father. After recovering from his accident he went to Mr. Thomas Lightfoot, shipbuilder, Monkwearmouth to complete his training.'

It was here that his talent was recognised in his promotion to foreman. 'Not long since, he, when speaking to a friend, said that when only sixteen years of age, he had charge of a yard with a large number of men employed under him.'

He remained with Mr. Lightfoot for 2 years until he joined Mr. Wang's shipyard 'So quickly had he advanced in the knowledge of his profession up to that time that shortly after his engagement with Mr. Wang and when he was only 18 years of age, he was appointed foreman and draughtsman by that gentleman.' He continued with Mr. Wang until 1845, when he again joined his father and brother; this time as foreman.'

'He continued with his relations until 1848 (26 years old)when he took part of the yard and commenced on his own account. When his brother removed to Hartlepool, in 1853, (31 years old)he took the whole of the establishment'

'There were not hundreds of men occupied building a ship then. Half a dozen men commenced their ship, rammed her, framed her, planked her, and launched her themselves, and took no long time over it, or thought much of their achievement either. These were the good old Sunderland shipbuilders, who have made the Wear so famous for ships and men, and Mr. Pile was one of the last and best of the old stock.'

Accolades
'a terrible blow to the firm was caused by the death of Mr. Wm. Pile, esteemed by every one for his acts of kindness and general benevolence, and as an employer of labour not surpassed in his kindly disposition. There were few, if any, of our builders who could reach the standard to which Mr. Wm. Pile had attained, not only as a model builder but as a model man. The writer of this having known him personally, and with greatest intimacy from childhood'

John Thompson writes of what he saw on the river Wear in the year 1850. 'At this period a complete revolution in shipbuilding took place, when both Mr. John Pile and his brother William got in full swing. Their mode of construction eclipsed all that had ever previously taken place on the Wear, and even in any other part of the country.'

'their vessels were acknowledged, and held by many, to be the swiftest sailing vessels in the China trade, known as tea ships.'

'They were among the first, at all events, in this river, to introduce long ships with beam in proportion. Their vessels were of large dimensions, and the items of their fittings enormously costly, and they won for the builders the high name they attained in every quarter of the globe.'

'It was here the first improvements in modelling took place, the old-fashioned counter was abolished, and all the planking turned up to the arch-board; the old fashioned stern-frame and transoms were done away with, and the vessel framed all round the stern. The first clipper stem was her put up that was seen on the Wear, and was, as it was then termed, turned inside out and upside down, and which is still continued by the builders on the Wear up to the present day.(1874)'

'Mr. Pile was the first to introduce the Clipper class of vessel (to Sunderland) and by his great skill in building them he became highly distinguished in the nautical world.'

Ships
'More than a hundred wood ships were built by Pile, and a similar number of iron, but although many of the latter were steamers, it was his sailing ships that brought renown to his name'

City of Adelaide - Experimental Clipper

Lizzie Webber - Clipper -'The Piles had well merited the high encomiums passed on them at the finish of this splendid yacht-like vessel, not only for smartness and form, but for the high rate of speed which she and others of their clippers attained while under canvas.'

Obituary
William Pile died June 5th 1873 Aged 50

Sunderland & Durham County Herald Friday June 6 1873

'Death of Mr. WM. Pile Shipbuilder

It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Mr. WM. Pile, shipbuilder, of this town which sad event took place at a hotel in Bishipgate-Street, London on Thursday. On Tuesday afternoon, Mr. Pile left Monkwearmouth by the half-past one o’clock express for London, apparently in his usual health, although it is said he complained to two or three friends that he did not feel altogether well. On Thursday morning about one o’clock he was suddenly seized with contractions of the bowels, and after suffering severely for a few hours, he expired. The melancholy intelligence was immediately telegraphed to the works in Sunderland, and it was, we hardly need say received with expressions of sincere and genuine sorrow, by all his workmen, by whome he was very much beloved. As the news spread through the town the most heartfelt sympathy was expressed towards his bereaved widow and family. Mrs. Pile and here daughters where in Newcastle and were ………. About to proceed to London when they were stopped by a telegram from Sunderland and on the coming home was made known to them as tenderous as possible. Mr Pile was about 50 years of age, and ……. a native of Monkwearmouth. He served his time as a shipwright with his father who carried on the business of shipbuilding on the north side of the river. On completing his apprenticeship and after obtaining experience in his profession he became foreman for Mr. Thomas Lightfoot, shipbuilder, Monkwearmouth. Afterwards he left Mr Lightfoot and again joined his father, who had now removed to Southwick. Once more his father removed to Monkwearmouth and his son William acted as his foreman until he commenced business on his own account about 30 years of age. Mr. Pile was the first to introduce the Clipper class of vessel and by his great skill in building them he became highly distinguished in the nautical world. Among the notable firms for whom he built these vessels may be mentioned Mr. Green Blackwall; Messrs T.H. Walker, ……. , and Co.; H. Kilis and son, London. He built about 60 ships for Mr. John Kelso of North Shields. Some of these vessels were among the finest specimens of Naval Architecture ever produced. The tea clippers Maitland and Kelso it will be recounted were turned out from his yard. About 12 years ago (1861), when Iron shipbuilding was introduced, he converted his yard into a composite and iron yard. He built several fast composite to the order of Devit and Moor, London, for the east Indian trade, while Mr. Young ..isbesel.t the first iron steam ship which he built .nee the .. Mr. Pile finished a great number of iron vessels, and some of these have been purchased by Messrs Kelso, …., and Co. Sh….on, Stro… and Be… Mr. Pile built some large ….. for the Spaniards, and these by their excellent construction and finish have earned for him a high reputation abroad. He next built some more boats for an Italian co. which have been greatly admired. About 8 years ago Mr. Pile began to make his own engines and boilers, and all machinery required for his vessels. He employed altogether about .000. As his Bridge …..ing dock was required for the purpose of the new railway bridge across the Wear Mr Pile lately purchased about 12 acres of land near the North Quay from Sir H. Williamson, with the view to making a new dock. He also intended to remove his engine works to the new dock and had completed his plans for the carrying out of the work. Mr. Pile was a really benevolent man, and gave largely to the poor. His body will be brought to Sunderland today, and the internment will take place on Monday afternoon at Monkwearmouth cemetery. Mr. Pile leaves a family of seven children. His death is one of the greatest calamities that has fallen Sunderland for many years. He had not an enemy in the world.'

Funeral
Funeral at St Marys Church, Monkwearmouth

Arrived 7.00am, Mass at 10.30am

'The whole ceremony was of very great solemnity, and is, we believe the greatest of its kind ever held in Sunderland. The church was crowded on the occasion and many where unable to gain admission. The crowd stretched over the bridge – Shops closed in respect. Messrs Thompson, Blumer and Simey whose yards are in contiguity to Mr Piles, closed them, and the whole of their men attended the funeral. The procession was over two miles in length. First came the workmen at Mr Piles Bridge dock yard, consisting of some three hundred men; next Dr. Welford and Dr. Horan, the medical advisors of the deceased in their carriages; a carriage containing ##### it was calculated there would be over 3000 workmen. Pall-bearers were Ald. Ranson, solicitor to the deceased, Captain Scarlett, Captain Carling, Captain A Lout###, councillor Coulson, and messrs ## Hawkins, E.G. Pink###y and Stamp. When William Pile died vast crowds gathered to show their respect for him as a man of the people.'

Family
'The ancestors of the late Mr. William Pile who first came into this locality (Sunderland) a little over 100 years ago (around 1770), were farmers and came from Rothbury Northumberland, to occupy the West House Farm, and afterwards a farm running along each side of Fulwel Lane'

Grandfather
William Pile

'The grandfather of Mr. Pile was the first shipbuilder of the family. Preferring shipbuilding to farming he was duly apprenticed to that profession, and became so skilful by the time his apprenticeship expired that he was made a manager of a shipyard shortly after. He became thoroughly conversant with both the theory and practice of shipbuilding and was celebrated for his nice models, well built and fast ships. He preferred rather to manage for others than to build on his own account. He was a celebrated draughtsman, and taught many of the shipbuilders who have built on the Wear for the last half century (1824-1874) including Mr. Pile, as it was from him and his brother that he received his lessons in shipbuilding.'

'The name of their grandfather, Wm. Pile, was a household word throughout the port, for the fame of this old veteran spread far and wide, through the building of the "Ganges," an East Indiaman, in 1825, on the rock at Ravenswheel, the last yard of the late Mr. Dennis A. Douglass.'

Father
William Pile

'The father of Mr. Pile was also a very clever man and noted for his well modelled ships. He was considered the first shipbuilder of his day. But it is by the skills of the present generation of the family that the name Pile has been made famous throughout the shipbuilding community of the world.'

Wife
'Mr. Pile was married, in 1849, to Miss I. Rickaby, of Coniscliffe, near Darlington'