His grandfather was the first shipbuilder of the family, being so adept that he was made manager of a shipyard shortly after completing his apprenticeship.

He passed on his good knowledge of both the theory and practice of shipbuilding to many of people who subsequently built on the Wear, including William.

[7] It was at this time, that Pile walked the banks of the River Wear, visiting the shipyards and never growing tired of seeing ships in the various stages of construction.

His custom was to seek information where he thought it was to be got, and to get it he used periodically to visit the largest ports of the United Kingdom.

[4] Pile's mother and or father apparently did not appreciate his shipbuilding disposition and preferred him to work in a ropery.

At the age of 18, an accident caused his right hand to be nearly cut in two; this crippled him to a great extent for the rest of his life.

[4] There his talent was recognised; he was promoted to foreman and was in charge of a yard with a large number of men.

The church was crowded and many were unable to gain admission; the funeral procession was over two miles in length and comprised over 3000 people.

[5]Thompson also noted that the Pile brothers were among the first, at all events, in this river, to introduce long ships with beam in proportion.

Their vessels were of large dimensions, and the items of their fittings enormously costly, and they won for the builders the high name they attained in every quarter of the globe.

[4] Pile was the first to introduce the Clipper class of vessel to Sunderland and by his skill in building them he gained recognition in the nautical world.