Restoration of historic trawler gets under way

Hull’s last remaining sidewinder trawler, an iconic symbol of the city’s fishing industry, has been taken out of the water and dry docked for the first time in 30 years.

The hull of the Arctic Corsair is being cleaned, and initial condition assessments will be carried out by Dunston’s Ship Repairs, the company appointed to restore it and Spurn Lightship as part of the £30.3m Hull Maritime project, which is funded by Hull City Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Councillor Daren Hale, leader of the council, said: “It is great to see and appreciate the true size and scale of the trawler now she is out of the water.

“You can get a real feel of how she will finally look in her new dry berth at the former North End Shipyard, where visitors will be able to explore her fully as part of the plans to create a new maritime attraction.

“The work to restore the trawler is now underway and I am looking forward to Dunston’s giving the trawler a new lease of life and protecting her charm, integrity and story for generations to come.”

The Hull Maritime project involves the transformation of five key maritime treasures — Arctic Corsair, North End Shipyard, Spurn Lightship, Dock Office Chambers, and Hull Maritime Museum.