Gaul trawler tragedy: Programme released for 50-year commemoration

Events marking the loss of the Gaul will take place in Hull in February

The full programme of events to commemorate the loss of 36 Hull trawlermen at sea 50 years ago has been announced.

The Gaul trawler was lost off the coast of Norway in February 1974.

The programme, which runs from 8-15 February, includes a memorial rugby match, live music and boxing.

Jerry Thompson, chairman of the Hull Fishing Heritage Centre, said organisers aim to make sure the crew's loss is remembered.

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 that eventually discovered the remains of some of the crew.

'Dear friends'

The Gaul 50 steering group chairman, Daren Hale, and Ruth Creasy of the STAND fishing heritage charity said Hull was united in marking the loss of the 36 trawlermen.

The sinking, which claimed the lives of 30 Hull trawlermen and six from North Shields, was dubbed the worst ever single-trawler tragedy at the time.

Events to mark the tragedy include a civic service at Hull Minster, the unveiling of two new murals and evenings of music and boxing.

They will begin with a memorial event that includes a minute's silence at 11:00 GMT on 8 February and the ringing of the Gaul Bell outside the Hull Fishing Heritage Centre.

Hull City will mark the tragedy at its game against Swansea City on Saturday 10 February.

It will also be commemorated at the Hull FC and Hull KR derby the following Thursday, after the official series of events concludes.

The programme has been organised by Hull City Council's St Andrews and Docklands ward councillors, Hull Minster, Bullnose Heritage, the Fisherman's Mission and STAND.

Mr Thompson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it was important to mark the loss of the brave trawlermen.

A spokesperson for the Fishing Heritage Centre said: "Families lost loved ones and dear friends were taken from our community.

"We owe it them to ensure they are never forgotten."