Sir Walter Runciman (1847-1937) was "a Geordie of Scots descent who ran away to sea at 11, was a master mariner by 21 and founded a shipping line". He also served briefly as a Liberal Member of Parliament. In 1889, Runciman founded the South Shields Shipping Company on the south bank at the mouth of the river Tyne. In 1892 the company offices moved up the River Tyne to the city-port of Newcastle. In April 1897 the company changed its name to Moor Line Ltd. Runciman and his son, who had carried on business as partners in Runciman and Co, were appointed Managing Directors of Moor Line. In 1898 the elder Runciman held the position of Chairman until his death in 1937. Runciman was created a baronet in 1906, and served as Liberal MP for Hartlepool from 1914 to 1918. In 1933, he was raised to the peerage as Baron Runciman of Shoreston. He wrote several books based on his years at sea among which are: Windjammers and Sea Tramps (1902) and Looking Seaward Again (1907).