Arctic Corsair volunteers back together for conservation project

Volunteers from historic Hull trawler Arctic Corsair are helping to conserve artefacts from the city’s Maritime Museum.

Working with a conservation and engagement officer, the small team are carrying out practical conservation tasks to ensure the objects are in the best possible condition for when they go on display in the refurbished museum, preserving them for years to come.

Objects range from ship’s figureheads to hand tools and bronze plaques.

The volunteers who have dedicated years to maintaining the Arctic Corsair have been contributing remotely over the last two years to share their knowledge of the ship and Hull’s fishing industry. The conservation sessions are a chance for the long-established team to meet regularly in person again.

As major refurbishment works get underway to Arctic Corsair and the Maritime Museum as part of the Hull Maritime project, a temporary workshop has been set-up in the Museums Quarter for volunteers to do the conservation work.

Visitors can see work being undertaken on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9.30am and 12.30pm, and hear about more about the project.

Councillor Daren Hale, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The Conservation in Action sessions allow us to benefit from the dedication of the Arctic Corsair volunteers. By contributing their time and care to the conservation of our precious maritime collection they will make a real difference to the objects we have come to cherish.”

Volunteer tour guide David Gill said: “It’s great to be back and fantastic to meet the crew again. There are some interesting artefacts to work on.”

Hull Maritime, a Hull City Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund project, encompasses the redevelopment of five historic sites in Hull city centre: the transformation of the Grade II* Hull Maritime Museum and Dock Office Chambers, the creation of a new visitor attraction at North End Shipyard, and the restoration two historic vessels, Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship.

Both vessels are currently undergoing specialist renovation work at Dunston Ship Repairs in Hull.