Son of Janet Young, 47 Pitt Street, Leith, Midlothian and the late William Young. 

The ASTROLOGER (Official No.95227) was a 912-ton steam cargo vessel launched on 30 August 1890 by W. Dobson & Co., Newcastle for George Gibson & Co., Leith; she was completed in October 1890 as Yard No.40. She measured|: 210ft x 30ft.1in (64m by 9.16m by 5.23m) and was powered by a 114hp, 3-cylinder triple expansion steam engine that used one boiler. NE Marine Eng Co Ltd at newcastle manufactured the machinery. She had 4 bulkheads, 2 decks, a 24ft poopdeck, 48ft bridgedeck and 26ft forecastle.

She was mined and sank on 26 June 1916, 5 miles SSE of Lowestoft, while voyaging from Leith to Dunkerque, general cargo & coal (the mine laid that same day by UC 1 - Kurt Ramien)
There was a violent explosion under the fore hold at 0530hrs and she sank almost at once. Eight men were picked up out of the water by a fishing boat, the Boatswain being the only officer to be saved. The survivors were landed at lowestoft by a patrol vessel. The ship was carrying 1,200 tons of coal.

Eleven men who died that day:
ALISON, John 1st Engineer MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
CHISHOLM, Alexander, Steward MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
FRASER, Thomas 2nd Mate MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
HAMILTON, Robert John Assistant Steward MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
MACKIE, David 2nd Engineer MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
PAXTON, William Walker Donkeyman MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16
SHUTTLEWORTH, Henry 1st Mate MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16 
STEIL, James Seaman MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16 
SUTHERLAND, Thomas Baird Fireman MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16 
TELFORD, G. M. Master MM Astrologer (Leith) 26.6.16 
YOUNG, William Mitchell Fireman MM SS Astrologer (Leith) killed 26.6.16