Service held for lost crew of Gaul trawler

The Gaul sank in 1974 in the Barents Sea, off the coast of Norway, with 36 men on board

A service has been held in North Shields to remember 36 men who died when a trawler sank off the coast of Norway during a storm 41 years ago.

The Gaul had a crew made up of men from Hull and North Shields on board when it went down on 8 February 1974, but only four bodies were ever found.

Relatives and friends of those who died travelled to Tyneside for a special service of remembrance.

Wreckage of the vessel was not discovered until 1997.

Wreaths were laid where a plaque was erected in memory of those who died on the Gaul

A party of more than 50 travelled from Humberside for the service, which was held at Albert Edward Dock in North Shields, where the trawler used to be berthed.

The vessel, called the Ranger Castor while based at North Shields, was renamed Gaul after moving to Hull.

An inquiry in 2004 concluded the ship sank because its hold became flooded during the violent storm.

The Gaul's bell was sounded as they names of the dead sailors were read out

Supt Peter Dade, of the Fishermen's Mission at North Shields, said: "The loss of the Gaul was a tragedy for so many families.

"There has not been a gathering of this size in North Shields since the Gaul sank."

A bell from the vessel was sounded as the names of those who died were read out.