Hull Gaul trawler sinking anniversary events get cash boost

Several days of events marking the loss of the Gaul in 1974 are due to take place in Hull next year

Events marking the 50th anniversary of the sinking of a Hull trawler with the loss of 36 men have received funding from the city council.

The Gaul went down after being caught in heavy seas in the Barents Sea off Norway on 8 February 1974.

Four days of commemorations are planned for 2024, including a new mural, a dedicated Hull City football match and an education programme for children.

A civic event at Hull Minster and walking tours are also planned.

St Andrews and Docklands ward has been granted £5,000 to fund the events.

When it disappeared, the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, four other British ships, three Norwegian ones and 19 trawlers searched for the Gaul but failed to find it.

A formal investigation concluded it had capsized after being struck by a series of large, heavy waves.

However, it spawned a number of alternative explanations and conspiracy theories, including that it had been captured or sunk by a Soviet submarine, been a spy ship, or been accidentally sunk by a Nato submarine.

The wreck of the Gaul was not discovered until 1997 when the then Deputy Prime Minister and Hull MP John Prescott ordered surveys which eventually discovered the remains of some of the crew.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Hull City Council's culture portfolio holder Rob Pritchard said he supported the authority's money being used to help celebrate Hull's trawler history.

As part of next year's commemorations, children will be taught about the role of trawlers in the city's heritage and they will be encouraged to create art to be displayed in Hull Minster.

There are also plans for children to perform sea shanties for the families of the lost men.

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