William Pile
William Pile was a shipbuilder in Sunderland
He worked in many yards before starting his own company in 1846. He then took over the family yard in 1848. He built more than 100 ships in wood and almost as many in iron, and was renowned for his tea clippers. A talented draughtsman, he was described as the greatest ship designer of his age. His yard closed after his death in 1873 and was sold to pay his creditors.