9th September 2025
Earlier this month, Hull Maritime and STAND welcomed a group of former fishermen and supporters from the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project aboard the iconic Arctic Corsair.
The visit was especially poignant, as two members of the group had once sailed on the Arctic Corsair out of Hull. Billy Boyle, who served as mate during the vessel’s conversion to stern fishing, returned to the deck where he once worked. Alongside him was Albert Whiting, who had been a deckhand earlier in the ship’s working life - when Billy’s father was the skipper.
The North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project, which works closely with schools across the North East to preserve and share the region’s fishing legacy, is planning future visits to the Arctic Corsair once she opens to the public in 2026. Their commitment to education and heritage aligns closely with Hull Maritime’s own mission to celebrate and protect the city’s rich maritime history.
Following their tour of the Arctic Corsair, the group continued their journey through Hull’s fishing past with a visit to the Hull Bullnose Heritage Centre on Hessle Road, where stories of the city’s trawlermen live on.
This reunion of shipmates and heritage champions highlights the enduring connections between communities shaped by the sea - and the importance of preserving these stories for generations to come.
