Obituary

1903, November 13th

Mr. William Milburn, head of the firm of Messrs. William Milburn and Co., shipowners, Newcastle-on-Tyne, and London, died yesterday at Newcastle-on-Tyne. He was born in 1826 at Ashington, Northumberland. Mr. Milburn was a director of the Ashington Coal Company, of Lloyd's Underwriters, the York City and County Banking Company, and many marine insurance associations. He was a member of the Blyth Harbour Commission, and a justice of the peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire. Mr. Milburn was closely associated with the change from sail to steam in shipping, and established a line of cargo steamers to the Baltic. He was also instrumental in the formation of steamship lines to China and Australia. His steamer, St. Osyth, was the first full-powered steamer to go from the Thames to Australia, covering the distance in 42 days. In 1874 Messrs. Milburn opened a house in London. Mr. Milburn was married in 1850. He leaves five sons.

Source: The Times