‘They will never be forgotten’: Memorial to lost trawlermen opens next month

‘PAINSTAKINGLY RESEARCHED’: The steel structure featuring a trawler crew and ship’s bow, created by artist Peter Naylor, at St Andrew’s Quay

By Simon Bristow

Hull’s Memorial to Lost Trawlermen and accompanying Memorial Garden are close to completion and being readied in time for their official opening next month.

Commissioned by fishing heritage group STAND: St. Andrews Dock Heritage Park Action Group, work began in April by local building contractors, Wright Civil Engineering.  

The Memorial focal point is designed in the shape of a ship’s bow which includes the original and evocative corten steel sculpture of 13 trawlermen designed by artist, Peter Naylor. The faces of the figures were painstakingly researched from old archives of the Hull fishing industry to reflect the range of men who formed trawler crews.

More than 6,000 men and boys died sailing from Hull over 150 years of the city’s fishing industry. Hull was once home to the largest deep-water fishing fleet in the world.

Throughout the Memorial Garden there are special features which reflect Hull’s fishing industry and a montage of photograph showing the life and challenges of working at sea. Along a path are three information boards which focus on different aspects of the industry and community.

NEARING COMPLETION: The Memorial Garden

Hull Maritime, the project transforming some of the city’s maritime treasures, awarded STAND a grant to create and install the three information boards through its community grant scheme.

The whole site will be wheelchair friendly and will have benches in the ‘bow’ area so people can sit and reflect while looking out over the Humber.

Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said: “It’s great to see the Memorial Garden nearing completion. It has been made possible because of STAND’s continued dedication and commitment as well as the support and generous donations received by individuals, local community and businesses.

“Once open, it will become the perfect setting for many people to come and pay their respects and remember loved ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice and never came home. They will never be forgotten.”

‘GREAT TO SEE’: Ruth Creasey, chair of STAND, at the memorial site

Ruth Creasey, chair of STAND, said: “It’s great to see The City’s Memorial to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull finally come to fruition after over 20 years of fundraising and setbacks.

“STAND are truly grateful to everyone who has supported us on this journey. It is sad to think that Ron Wilkinson, STAND chairman until his passing on April 4, 2023, will not see the fruits of his hard work and commitment, but I am absolutely sure he would be proud of the completed memorial and what it will mean to the people of Hull, especially to those who have lost loved ones at sea.

“The memorial will be a legacy to Ron and to all those people who have been involved in the history of the memorial project but who have sadly passed away.”

The official opening of ‘The City’s Memorial to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull’ will take place on Sunday, September 24 at noon on St Andrew’s Quay.

For more information on The City’s Memorial to the Lost Trawlermen of Hull and updates, visit www.hullfishingheritage.org.uk and STAND Facebook page: standhullheritage