William Duthie (shipbuilder)

[2] William was apprenticed to his father, a shipbuilder, before going to sea, rising to the rank of commander, and profiting considerably from the Australian gold rush.

Born in 1822, William Duthie, after leaving school, began life as an apprentice shipbuilder in his father's yard; and, after completing the usual period of service, he went to sea.

[2] Passing through the grades he ultimately attained the rank of master, and occupied the position of commander of one of the Australian clippers which brought fame and wealth to Aberdeen.

[2] The Australian gold mining craze, which had set in about the same time, afforded Captain Duthie an opportunity of bringing home large quantities of the precious metal, which he deposited in the Bank of England on his arrival in London.

[2] Retiring from the arduous seafaring life in 1856, he began shipbuilding on his own account in that year, and soon established a reputation for the excellence of the workmanship he sent out.