William Moore (steamship captain)

William Moore
Captain William Moore
Born	30 March 1822 Hanover, Kingdom of Hanover
Died	29 March 1909 (aged 86) Victoria, British Columbia
Occupation	steamship captain
Spouse(s)	Hendrika
Children	John (JW) 1848, William (Billie) 1854, Henrietta 1856, Henry 1858, Wihelmina 1862, Bernard 1865 and Minnie

John (JW) 1848, William (Billie) 1854, Henrietta 1856, Henry 1858, Wihelmina 1862, Bernard 1865 and

William Moore (30 March 1822 – 29 March 1909) was a steamship captain, businessman, miner and explorer in British Columbia and Alaska. During most of British Columbia's gold rushes (from the Queen Charlottes in 1852 until the Cassiar Gold Rush in 1872) Moore could be found at the center of activity, either providing transportation to the miners, working claims or delivering mail and supplies.

In 1887, guided by First Nation's explorer Skookum Jim (who later co-discovered the Klondike Goldfields), William Moore was guided through the White Pass route that would become a famous route to the Klondike Gold Rush and purchased the land that later became the famous gold rush town of Skagway. Throughout his 87 years, he would father four sons and three daughters and make and lose at least three separate fortunes. His friends and rivals would give him many nicknames, among them, William "Buddy" Moore and "The Flying Dutchman".

William Moore was born in Hanover on 30 March 1822. By the age of seven, he was sailing on schooners on the North Sea and by age 24, his adventures brought him to New Orleans, Louisiana.

In New Orleans, William Moore married Hendrika in 1846 and worked on riverboats on the Mississippi River. In 1848, he served in the Mexican-American War aboard the USS Lawrence. That same year, he became a citizen of the United States and his eldest son, John (JW), was born. In 1851, he moved his family to San Francisco, but arrived too late to participate in the California Gold Rush.