‘We will never forget’: Community fills ‘Fishermen’s Church’ in annual tribute to lost trawlermen
PACKED: People arriving at St John the Baptist Church
By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor
In “The Fishermen’s Church” in St George’s Road, a community gathered today to commemorate the thousands of lives lost at sea while sailing out of Hull to put food on the nation’s tables.
They number more than 6,000 men and boys who never returned to a port that was once home to the largest deep-water fishing fleet in the world.
This was the 36th Annual Lost Trawlermen’s Day Service organised by Hull fishing heritage group STAND, which is held on the last Sunday in January – a particularly dangerous time of year for fishermen because of the weather.
And there could be no greater illustration of that than the fact this year’s service fell 70 years to the day since the terrible loss of two Hull trawlers, Lorella and Roderigo, who went down with the loss of all 40 hands.
‘THE FISHERMEN’S CHURCH’: A man takes wreaths into St John the Baptist Church ahead of today’s service
Their story was brought vividly to life by STAND chair Ruth Creasey, who spoke about the circumstances of their loss during her introduction to the service.
Like other trawlers in the area off the North Cape of Iceland, Lorella and Roderigo were steaming for shelter during hurricane-force gales and were just four miles from safety when they heard a call for help from another trawler, Kingston Garnet, which had fouled its propeller.
Lorella and Roderigo turned round to go to her aid but by the time they reached the area Kingston Garnet had freed herself and gone for shelter. In worsening conditions it was too late for Lorella and Roderigo to get back.
During “heartbreaking” radio messages, both trawlers stated their crews were unable to get on deck to tackle the dangerous build up of ice on their superstructures. After what had been a three-day battle for survival, the last radio message from the Lorella was at 2.39pm when she was lost.
‘CHANCE TO REMEMBER’: STAND chair Ruth Creasey
Although Roderigo stayed in touch with Lancella, another trawler that had gone to help, for another two-and-a-half hours, her last communication was a mayday call at 5.09pm.
Mrs Creasey told the gathering at St John the Baptist Church: “This is an opportunity for our city to honour and pay our respects to over 6,000 fishermen who lost their lives to the sea and to the family and friends they sadly left behind.
“At this time of year during these winter months this community suffered their greatest losses. There will be those of you here today who will remember someone who was lost and will still carry that grief with you.”
Although Hull’s fishing industry had suffered a number of major tragedies, it was also important to remember individual lives lost in separate isolated incidents, Mrs Creasey said.
REMEMBRANCE: Wreaths laid at today’s service. Picture by Mike Waudby / Fishing News
Her audience included Hull West and Haltemprice MP Emma Hardy; her constituency predecessor Alan Johnson; the Lord Mayor of Hull, Councillor Mark Collinson; Hull City Council leader, Councillor Mike Ross; Councillor Daren Hale, city council opposition Labour group leader and St Andrew’s and Docklands ward member; as well as family and friends and members of Hull’s fishing community.
The church was so packed it was standing room only despite extra chairs placed at the back.
The congregation entered and left to the music of the City of Hull brass band, which drew a spontaneous round of applause after people had seated.
The Reverend Richard Coutts, vicar of St John’s, welcomed everyone and began the service, saying it was “an honour to remember those men who braved the seas and did not always come home”. He thanked people for coming to show their respects “for those lost men of resolution and courage”.
LIVES LOST: An information board at today’s service
The opening prayer was read by Anne Mclaren, Stella Maris regional chaplain, and after Mrs Creasey spoke The Pilot’s Psalm was read by Rio Beeson of the Sailor’s Children’s Society.
Ms Hardy, a patron of STAND, then spoke and recalled a recent visit to the modern trawler Kirkella, which she said prompted her to reflect how different things were 70 years ago when Lorella and Roderigo put to sea without advance weather warnings, GPS, and other technological advantages.
“So much has changed since then but Hull’s fishing industry, and the men and women who made it, will never be forgotten,” she said. “Hull’s fishing heritage will always be the golden thread running through our past.”
Children from Chiltern Primary School Choir then sang I, the Lord of Sea and Sky before a prayer was read by Sally Taylor, area officer for the Fishermen’s Mission.
SOULFUL: The City of Hull brass band
The City of Hull band played Anchor for the Soul before a Sea Cadet from TS Iron Duke rang the bell of lost Hull trawler Gaul, signalling the start of two minute’s silence.
Wreaths were then blessed and laid before the singing of the final hymn, Eternal Father, Strong to Save. The hymn moved some to tears.
STAND will host its first summer service at the city’s Memorial to Lost Trawlermen at St Andrew’s Quay on Sunday, July 20, at noon