WILLIAMS, WILLIAM ROBERT (1832-90) was born at Gravesend, educated there and went to sea at the age of 12. In 1856 he went to Australia, and for five years was trading between Melbourne and South Australia. He was chief officer when the rush occurred to Otago and, purchasing an interest in the barque Anne Melhuish, he traded between Newcastle and Auckland, carrying coal one way and timber, kauri gum and other produce the other. At the conclusion of the Waikato war he carried troops back to Australia, and continued to trade with New Zealand. The first ship he bought for himself was the Heversham, followed by the Cyrus, Edwin Bassett, Carlotta, Neptune, Robin Hood and G. M. Tucker. With these he formed the nucleus of the Black Diamond line. In 1876 he purchased in Sydney the steamer Grafton, which he used in the coal trade to the West Coast. In 1881 he bought the new steamer Westport in Great Britain, and brought her out direct to Westport. Next year his son (W. H. Williams) superintended in England the building of two steamers (the Koranui and Mawhera), and the Moa, Manawatu and Maitai were also acquired. Williams in 1885 leased some coal measures near Westport, and formed a company which acquired this and later the Coal Pit Heath mine at Greymouth. In 1886 he sold his interests to the Westport Coal Co. and his ships to the Union Steamship Co. For many years Williams had a ship-repairing yard at Te Aro. He was a government nominee on the Wellington harbour board (1880-88), a justice of the peace, and a member of committee of the old men's home. To this and the Congregational Church he made liberal gifts; and the Sailors' Friend Society in Wellington benefited from his estate. He died on 17 Mar 1890.

Evening Post, 17 Mar 1890. Portraits: Ward; Missions to Seamen Institute, Wellington.

Reference: Volume 2, page 262

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