Havelock Wilson

Wilson pursued a policy of attempting to build branches in nearby ports, which met with some success but led to disagreements within the leadership.

In late July 1893, a jury at Guildford found against Wilson, and the judge, Sir William Grantham, a former Conservative member of parliament, ordered him to pay the newspaper’s costs.

This goal was steadily achieved after shipowners recognised the union in 1911 and began working closely with officials during the First World War.

After 1917, wage rates and conditions were set by the National Maritime Board, which represented the Shipping Federation and Wilson's union.

Wilson and his union were noted as one of the most vociferous supporters of Britain's involvement in the First World War, because of the loss of merchant seamen to U-Boats.

[4] He was a founder of the National Democratic Party[citation needed] but stood as a Liberal at the October 1918 by-election in South Shields, when he was elected unopposed.