The 1861 directory advised about fifty persons are engaged in salmon fishery during the season and lists 40 connected with Sea-Faring pursuits, either as Shipowners, Shipmasters or Seamen. There are also 2 Pilots, 2 Shipping Agents and 3 Ships’ Chandlers, a Marine Architect, a Lighthouse Keeper, a Salmon Fishery Manager, a Harbour Master and various Railway Staff. There was also a Ship’s Carpenter and 7 Joiners and Wrights. It also lists 27 Furnished Lodging Houses to cater for overnighting ferry passengers.

Born in Peterhead, Captain Milne was master of Dundee vessels from 1883 until 1910.  He lived at 6 Grey Street from 1894 until 1931 and is probably best remembered for his fifteen-year command of Eclipse. In February 1897 the Dundee Advertiser claimed that “his knowledge of ‘Inuit life’ on the shores of the Davis Strait is said to be more intimate than that of any other living European”. The fact that the Inuit were hunter-gatherers that depended on the seasonal cycle and nature, reminds us of a life style connection with the previous Mesolithic inhabitants of Morton.

It was fairly common for whaling men to give passage to Inuit visitors back with them to Scotland. One of them was named Shoodlue, a medicine man who was a particular friend of Captain Milne and came to Dundee on Eclipse in 1894. Crowds gathered to meet him when he visited Tayport.

This recognition is reflected on marine charts wherever Dundee masters and their ships sailed they left their mark e.g.  Adams Sound, Cape Milne and Eclipse Sound. In 1900 Captain Milne of the Eclipse received an honour from the Meteorological Society and in December 1907, both Captain W.F. Milne of the whaler Eclipse of Dundee, Commodore of the Dundee whaling fleet, and Captain William Adams also of Dundee, both received Knighthoods from the King of Norway. These awards were made in regard to assistance rendered to Captain Roald Amundsen, as he became the first to navigate a ship through the North West Passage.