The following is taken from Links To The Past website (http://linkstothepast.com/marine/captainsMi.html), and the info for that website was pulled from "History of the Great Lakes, Vol. 2 by J.B. Mansfield Published Chicago: J.H. Beers & Co. 1899":
ALEXANDER MILNE
More than sixty years ago, when the profession of marine engineer on the Great Lakes was new and poorly supplied, Alexander Milne came to the United States from his home in Aberdeen, Scotland. He left his native land at the instance of the Royal Mail line, a Canadian steamship company which carried the mails for the subjects of the Queen along the great fresh-water seas. The now varied commerce of the lakes was in its infancy then, and all classes of experienced seamen were difficult to secure, so that many followers of the sea in other lands were attracted to this corner of the world. Among them was Alexander Milne, who founded what is perhaps the most important family of marine engineers on the Great Lakes. He was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the year 1809, and had followed the profession of marine engineering from the earliest engagement he was able to secure.
During the years he was connected with the Royal Mail line he was chief engineer of the fleet, and the important and responsible duties which devolved upon him were ably and conscientiously performed. Among the vessels of this line whose machinery he directed were the Commodore Berry, on which he was sailing when it was lost; the Admiral, Princess Royal, City of Kingston, City of Toronto, Transit and Scotland.
He married Miss Bessie Vair, of Berwickshire, Scotland. Their children were James, who died in infancy; George B., chief engineer of the propeller J.H. Devereux; John, who is deceased; Alexander, chief engineer of the side-wheel steamer Alexandria; William, chief engineer of the propeller Niagara; Thomas, chief engineer of the propeller Melbourne; and Jessie, deceased.
William Milne was the chief engineer of the propeller Niagara.
10. Thomas Milne
Thomas Milne was chief engineer on the propeller Melbourne, among other notes below.
The following is taken from Maritime History of the Great Lakes website (http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/rename/Details.asp?ID=3620&s=2):
British Whig, (Kingston), April 9, 1886
p.3 THE TECUMSEH AND CONSORTSThrough the instrumentality of Ald. R.J. Eilbeck, McArthur Bros., of Toronto, were induced to have extensive repairs made to their vessels, the steam barge Tecumseh and barges Cavalier & Cameron, at Kingston. The boats were allowed to lay over at Eilbeck's dock during the winter free of charge. Capt. Allen was awarded the contract to make the repairs and kept employed at the work, during the winter months and up to the present, about forty men. The Tecumseh has received new main deck frames, new cabin deck frames, and her boilers have been overhauled. The pilot house has been reconstructed and a room placed in it for the exclusive use of P. McArthur, one of the owners. The vessel has also been repainted inside and outside. The cabin and interior woodwork have been painted light and dark while the outside of the boat is black. The officers of the steamer are: Skipper, Capt. Manson, Port Hope; first mate, H. Killally; second mate, F. Curran; first engineer, T. Milne; second engineer, A. Desaulniers. The barge Cameron has received new topsides, recaulking and painting. Her skipper is Capt. J. Miller, and her mate J. Ashley. The barge Cavalier has also received new topsides and been recaulked and painted. The skipper is Capt. A. Anderson, the mate C. Gillard. The work on the vessels is expected to be finished by the end of next week, when they will leave for Toronto and there be loaded with lumber for Collinsby. After unloading at the latter place Capt. Manson will come to Kingston and take in tow Capt. S. Fraser's vessels the Southampton, R. Gaskin and Oriental and proceed to Windsor where Capt. Fraser will be in waiting to take them in tow with his recently purchased prop. Scotia.
British Whig, (Kingston), March 5, 1887
p.8 Incidents Of The Day - T. Milne will leave for Port Colborne on Monday. He is engineer of the steamer Tecumseh, and will commence to fix her machinery at once.
British Whig, (Kingston), June 20, 1888
The Kathleen Launched
Last fall Mr. W. Bajus sold his interest in the steamer Rideau Belle to Capt. Noonan, and soon after began the building of a new steamer on the property adjoining Anglin's saw mill. Work progressed rapidly until the boat was ready for launching a week ago. She was to have been let off her ways on Saturday, but owing to low water the event did not occur. On Monday it was thought she could be safely launched, but it was discovered that she drew twelve inches more water than was at the foot of the ways. Upon further examination yesterday it was found that the water had risen and that there was only six inches less water at the stern than she would draw. They determined to push her off, calulating that she would go down the ways with sufficient force to enable her to reach deep water. The men were right in their supposition and a more satisfactory launch could not have been witnessed. The steamer did not start until 3:30 p.m. Long before this time a large audience of citizens gathered in the vicinity of the saw-mill. The men were not long in getting the boat ready. Before she moved Mr. Bajus lifted his little girl Kathleen, after whom the boat is called, upon the woodwork near the bow. A blue ribbon tied to a bottle of wine held by Kathleen, was suspended over the boat, and when she slipped away, Kathleen christened her by breaking the bottle on the woodwork. At the foot of the ways the boat laboured a little owing to low water, but got over the difficulty satisfactorily. A hearty cheer was given by the spectators and workmen when it was seen that she was safely off the ways. She sits proudly in the water and looks staunch. She is a composite boat, made partly of steel and wood, 109 feet long in length and 28 feet beam, and will be driven by a triple expansion engine designed by H.W. Granger, of Detroit, and manufactured by the Kingston locomotive works company. Her boilers were built in the same place. The Kathleen will run on the Kingston, Ottawa and Montreal route. She will have twenty-four staterooms and sufficient saloon accommodation for passengers. Her commandant will be Mr. W. Bajus assisted by Capt. L. Depencier; her first engineer T. Milne; her purser W.H. Storey. She is expected to travel fourteen miles an hour. The work on her has been well done and gives the owner satisfaction. The ship-carpentry work was executed under M. Clayton as foreman; the joiner work by D. Earl; the caulking by E. Arundell. On the outside of the hull there is steel plate from the covering board and to the depth of twenty-four inches, and under the deck beams inside there there are nine staunchions rivetted to the frames. The boat has to receive her machinery yet and be painted inside. She will not be ready for service before July 1st.
British Whig, (Kingston), April 24, 1890
The str. Norseman was launched today after having been thoroughly scraped and cleaned. During the winter she was thoroughly overhauled internally and comes out a really fine boat. She will leave for Port Hope tonight to begin regular route to Rochester. The officers are: Capt. - Howard Nicholson; mate, J. Jarrell; first engineer, T. Milne; second engineer A. Cummings; purser J.W. Mitchell; steward, A.W. Stevenson. The many friends of Capt. Nicholson regret his departure from Kingston. As commander of the Hero for the past few seasons he was very popular not only here but at every port along the Bay of Quinte. He is a genial, obliging fellow and we are assured will make many friends in the west. Confidence repoured in him will not be misplaced.