19th July 2019
One of the most symbolic items from the Arctic Corsair has been packed away before the trawler says a temporary goodbye.
The bell from the Arctic Corsair has been carefully placed in a case by Trevor Evans, the longest-serving volunteer and Abigail Jubb, an intern from the Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City project.
Next month, the distant water sidewinder trawler and a symbol of Hull’s maritime past, that often completed a 2,000 mile round trip to Iceland, will move from its current location and relocate to a temporary berth. The nationally significant trawler will then receive a restoration programme to secure its long-term future and take centre stage in a dry-berth at the North End Shipyard, creating a new visitor attraction in Hull.
Hundreds of artefacts have already being recorded, logged and placed into storage and now the bell will be removed from the trawler for safe keeping ahead of the move on Sunday 4 August.
The original bell from the Arctic Corsair is in the hands of a private collector, having been removed when the ship was decommissioned in the late 1980’s.
Hull Museums commissioned a replica bell in 2017 for a temporary exchange of bells with the Icelandic coast guard vessel Odinn. Since then, the bell has been on display in the Arctic Corsair wheelhouse. Originally, it would have been mounted outside the wheelhouse.
Councillor Daren Hale, Portfolio Holder for Economic Investment, Regeneration, Planning, Land and Property, said: “To many seafarers the bell signifies the soul of the vessel so this is a poignant moment for the maritime project, the trawler and the committed volunteers and STAND as we prepare for the move of the Arctic Corsair.
“I would also like this opportunity to thank the Arctic Corsair volunteers for their continued commitment. Over the years their work to maintain the trawler has been instrumental in continuing its legacy. We look forward to welcoming them back after conservation work is complete.”
The full restoration of the Arctic Corsair is being funded by Hull City Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). It is part of the £27.4m plans for the Hull: Yorkshire’s Maritime City programme to make Hull a world-class visitor destination. The plans will develop three important sites: Hull Maritime Museum; Dock Office Chambers and the North End Shipyard; and the long-term preservation of two historic vessels, the Arctic Corsair and Spurn Lightship, securing their future for generations to come.
For more information on the wider plans to transform some of Hull’s maritime treasures visit maritimehull.co.uk
