Hull was at one point the largest deep sea fishing port in the world, with entire communities based around the docks, and the vast majority of work in the city was in some way connected to the trawlers and their cargo. When this all came to an end it left Hull without an industry. What followed was mass unemployment, and since the trawler’s crews were classed as casual labour, none of the men received redundancy, adding to the hardship. Hull has shown a moderate recovery but the remnants of the buildings and docks remain, and with no funding or maintenance, stand as a sad reminder to many of what has been lost. Having seen these derelict buildings all my life, and knowing about Hull’s fishing industry only in the abstract, I have contacted the local community to record their stories and what happened to them after the fishing docks shutdown.
St Andrews Dock was once the main fishing dock for the largest deep-sea fishing fleet. Now only a few derelict buildings remain.
The Artic Corsair is a deep-sea Trawler that was converted into a Museum Ship in 1999. It is berthed between Drypool Bridge and Myton Bridge in the River Hull and is part of the city’s museum Quarter.
The Kirkella the last trawler working from the port of Hull.
The tables in Rayners Pub in Hull have images of the trawler men who used to drink there and some who still do.
When men were away at sea the only way to communicate with their loved ones was by telegram. This telegram was sent during the time of the triple trawler tragedy from Ken letting his wife know he was safe.
Ernie Bilocca ex trawlermen and son of Lillian Bilocca the founder of the headscarf heroes.
A view from the very top to of the Kirkella over the aft deck.
Rose is the Landlady of Rayners one of the remaining fishermen pubs on Hessle Road
One of the traditional trawlermen's pubs the Halfway pub. As a tribute to Hull's fishing history, local artists Andy Pea, Sharon Darley and Lydia Caprani teamed up with Belfast artists Mark Ervine and Kev Largey to create a mural depicting life of trawlermen on the side of one of the few remaining traditional trawler pubs of Hessle Road.
Roy was sad to see the end of the fishing industry in some ways but remembers how pleased he was his sons wouldn't be following in his footsteps.
Barry is in his 80s and spent most of his working life at sea.
Ken was once a Skipper on the Trawlers and since then worked all over the world putting his skills at sea to work in other industries.
Fred started as a "deckey learner" at 16 and spent 43 years at sea until an accident forced him to retire.
Pete, an ex trawler Skipper passed away two weeks after this photograph was taken.
Kenny comes from a family of trawler men. For generations his family have sailed from Hull to the fishing grounds. Kenny's son has also followed in his fathers footsteps.
The Kirkella is not only a ship but she prepares the fish and packs it meaning no work on shore for the city of Hull.
Amongst the ruins of the old Lord Line building some old paperwork such as this stores requisitions book are all that remain of a once busy office.
Jerry is an ex trawler-man who was once shipwrecked. He now collects the history of Hulls trawler industry.
The Bullnose is a place where many ex fishermen have had their ashes scattered. It is believed to be in excess of 200 mens ashes.
Rayners holds a memorial for the lost trawler the Gaul. The whole of Hessle Road brought to a stand still for a minutes silence.