William Miles was launched at Quebec in 1853, but immediately transferred her registry to Bristol.

[3] In 1855 William Miles carried some 260 emigrants from Scotland to Moreton Bay, in what is now Queensland.

William Miles sailed from Bristol on 5 May 1860 and arrived at Lyttelton, New Zealand on 21 August with 96 immigrants.

William Miles, Brindsen, master, sailed from the Gravesend on 26 July 1862 with some 322,[5] or 336 emigrants to New Zealand.

[4] William Miles was wrecked on 20 May 1868 at Pensacola, Florida, United States.