The Hull Triple Trawler Tragedy 

As a, former, UK (Scottish/inshore crab) fisherman myself (up until very recently, as of 2020) I can testify that the description of fishermen given here; "three-day millionaires" is very much accurate even now, minus the tailored suit. The last few months I worked at the fishing I used to bury myself in drink and quite often cannabis, at least on the increasingly rare times I could afford it now that fishing is slim pickings as far as wages go. I'm also the survivor of a shipwreck that same afore mentioned year, Kingfisher K436, thankfully both us aboard survived thanks in no small part due to the solid build quality of our boat but also a great thanks to the boys of the Kirkwall lifeboat crew and the local coastguard shore team for coming to our assistance as well as the various other local fishing boats in the area which came to assist.

The next time you sit down to a nice seafood dinner, remember these brave lads!

Bless you for making this one. I've lived in Fleetwood all my life. We were the biggest deep sea fishing port on the West coast, and the town lost trawlers with all hands; as with the East Coast ports. We had a great maritime heritage; and a fine Railway before Blackpool, our younger neighbour. My dad was a Ship's Rigger preparing the trawlers' gear. Also, many Fleetwood boys went to sea 'Pleasuring' with their Dads, Uncles and older brothers, during Summer holidays; often to the Summer grounds. And many women made/repaired the fishing nets, or worked in firms associated with the processing or transport of fish. There were sometimes as many fish trains running at night, as passengers during the day. And so the sea played a big part of our lives. As children, we watched the trawlers going out to sea, and in Winter, we wondered if we'd see all of them again. Having to retire early from the Railway, I became a Poet/Author, and some of my work includes our maritime past. Below is one such piece. THE PRICE OF FISH. The price of fish, was the lives of men; some went to sea, but ne'er came back again. Many families supplied the crews; of Fleetwood trawlers, and they made the news. They left so early, on the morning tide; as wives and mothers waved, then sat and cried. "Where's Daddy", was the children's' call; "He's off to sea for yer tea, that's all". Their older brothers, just turned eleven; would go each Summer, their idea of heaven. They steamed up North, by the Hebrides; young faces brushed, by the Westerly breeze. The youngsters pleased, in the usual way; as our trawler Jacinta, edges into Stornoway. a welcome meets them, as they take their ease; from familiar faces, locals, of the Hebrides. And then time comes, as the North wind pounds; they're off once more, to those Summer grounds. Farewell Stornoway, those friendly times we'll miss; farewell, as they see the light, for the Butt Of Lewis. Three weeks the boys, would be away from home; they dream of being men, and distant seas to roam. But now they're back and safe, as Mothers always wish; yet sometimes, Winters don't return them all. Such, is the price of fish. BY JACK D. HARRISON.

Gives meaning to that saying the sea is a cruel mistress.

Thank you so much! I`m Icelandic, born in the Vestman Islands (`55). Worked several winter seasons (Jan-May) on fishing boats off the coast of Iceland. We have had our share of casualties at sea. This story reverberates with my own lived experience. All the best! Billi.

It’s always despicable when the penny pinching businessmen neglect the safety of their workers to their fatal detriment, all for the want of profit.

No dirt being found, they called this great woman 'big', trying to embarass her. That was a very low move!

Thank you for reading all their names that their loss may not be forgotten. My family lost 5 members on cargo ships in WW2 each of them had nothing but praise for trawlermen. A hard life and little regard from those whose bellies they fed. Bless you all who roam the seas.

Hull lass born and bred. My friends Dad was on one of the lost trawlers from around that time. The *ARCTIC CORSAIR* , the last Hull sidewinder, is nearing a complete overhaul and will soon be moored in it's new dry dock on the River Hull. It will be open to visitors next year with a new visitor centre - something to please everybody.

As I sit eating my seafood dinner and watching this fascinating video, I am very appreciative of the people who make my meal possible.

A most interesting video. I have seen the "Deadliest catch" series, and even nowadays, I appreciate the danger of that profession. But THIS video is quite different. For my life, I cannot imagine going out to sea with almost no safety equipment. Those brave men.

If I haven't said this you have such a great voice for narrating. Always a great treat to listen to your channel. Decent into darkness. You do a great job trying to show the truth in history. JDP Underhill 10/00/2023 great day to you and yours God bless

Those in charge will always cut as many corners as possible to save money and they are never properly held to account.🤬

Lil was savage and just what was needed ❤

This is a little off subject, but your video of the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald was excellent. I watched it twice.

This is a very down-to-earth narration as a man myself who lost dear close friends (fishermen) at sea I appreciate your video very much - thankyou, my closest lost friend Sean Cotter (64) out of Castletownbere a pioneer of the Porcupine Bank died when Kyle Mhorr capsized and he is so missed for many years later. And that is why I appreciate the down-to-earth narration - thank you so much. Bless all lost at sea it is heart breaking.

Almost immediately makes me think of this fatal crash in the German Bight about 12 miles off Heligoland three days ago! One vessel (the "Verity") sank to the bottom after the collision with a larger ship (the "Polesie"), with 4 men reported missing. How could this happen? Unlike the accident of 1968, ships now have transponders and other state-of-the-art equipment on board!

Being wet and cold at the same time is so,so hard endure

I'm quite down mentally right now and when I saw the new video, it boosted my mental stability quite a bit. Your voice is so soothing and perfect for narrating. I'm happy to be a patreon supporter and happy for every video You release. This one is another gret piece of storytelling You've released and I just hoped it wouldn't end. You're doing a terrific job with your videos, keep it up (please). Greetings from germany.

This was very well told, and I really appreciate you spending so much of the time talking about what these communities did to change things for the better. There will probably always be dangerous jobs, but it is so important to remember that it is very possible to make them safer.

I worked at sea for many years, been in a few hairy situations on prawn trawlers, here in Australia. But that's not work, that those guys do. That's insanity.

As always, brilliant story and narration!!! Also, thanks for sharing the Luckiest Sailor song, as performed by the Spare Hands - those kids can really, really wail!!! Cheers!

The song at the end, along with the gentleman singing, excellent!. You've done it again, sir. My thanks.

I just about kept it together during the list of names. "10 seconds to eternity" ... line from the song broke me though 😢. Great video D.I.D

I was quite touched by the coming together of the community to rally around those that lost a loved one and that a loss for one was a loss for all. Boy, that Lillian musta been quite the Gal! (I felt her imposing and indomitable spirit just by her image!) Chaos bless the "Headscarf Heroes". It's just sad that no matter the era, money will always get the "lifejacket" and a spot on the raft first. In a lotta ways, I wish maybe I lived in those _simpler_ times, not on the BOATS!!!, but in the community just for the people and the character of the towns. It is...bittersweet. Well done! I just hit the subscribe button. Thank you! \m/

Superb and very emotional video ,RIP these very brave men ,who let's face it were just doing their day to day jobs.

Interesting video about this triple tragedy. I was at sea myself on the night it happened as R/O onboard the Fleetwood trawler ST Wyre Mariner fishing not far off Isafjord. The worst weather I had ever experienced. Luckily we managed to get into port in Isafjord but the ship did sustain damage and part of the fish room was flooded. Temporary repairs were made so that we could sail back to Fleetwood.

Thanks for another great video DiD! Blown away by that trck at the end... I'll be hitting up The Minerva next time I'm in Hull. Fantastic track. What an amazing acapella. Truly, thanks for the heads up! Edit: Mally, if you happen to read this, I'll be hunting you down. Want to witness that one live!

This was so touching. Especially the reading of their names, and then the song. May those brave souls rest in peace.

You've become my favorite narrator. Really on the bean with a working man's understanding of things. I'll support you when ever I can. Thanks D I D👍

As an ex Australian Navy Veteran my heart goes out to those brave men and their ones. God Bless. R.I.P ❤

Another excellent video and in my city too . Very well researched and presented in your wonderful voice 👌

Confirmed landlubber,hate the sea.All those brave souls, and many more.Thanks for remembering them, inthis video.

Well done the ladies of Hull. RESPECT

thank you for the video and the narration may all those lost rest in peace may the families feel the good energy and best wishes sent for us all . I bow my head dof my hat and salute all those brave men

and America would have you believe there were no strong women before their films tell me how these are not! they literally changed a country and saved lives regardless of the abuse they took to do it!! their legacy has saved many families from the pain they themselves suffered well done ladies! thank you for caring enough to change the world

A tragic tale of fishermen lost to the cruel promise of the sea, as the son of a fisherman and shrimper I can understand the feelings of loss of sorrow. You have done them a measure of justice ⚖️ 👏 I enjoyed the telling of the effort by the women who fought a valiant and noble cause to improve safety and working conditions on board the boats. Kudos to you 👏 amigo y en paz descansen. 😢

My better half was drawn to enquire what I was watching when she heard the song at the end, as A cappella folk music is not my thing. However she comes from a family of old school folkies. On seeing the title of the video she immediately named the Kingston Peridot* as one of the trawlers lost and pointed me in the direction of another song about this tragedy, Three Ships by Mike Waterson, covered by Coope Boyes & Simpson on their Twenty-Four Seven album. Last track on the album is Mike Waterson performing it himself, apparently recorded over the phone. *She never ceases to amaze me :-)

Thanks for another great vid. Glad something good came from such a tragedy, so often that is not the case.

Thankyou

What a wonderful video, I remember all of these news items from the time. I have always had the most tremendous respect and admiration for all the fishermen in hull and particularly the women who campaigned for safer working conditions for the men.

This is a very interesting video with narration second to none. New subscriber.

Thank you for reading your stories in your own voice. I can't stand the channels that use those almost real voices.

indeed respect for the fisherman..my uncle had one..also in the north sea..when i was 16..35 years ago i went along for one week...my god ...i remember being so sea sick...hard work...like constant...but the money is good..i remember the oil cost for 1 week fishing...was 10.000 gulden...then that is now 5000 euro..thanks for the new vid..cheers mate

On the East Coast of the United States we call sidewinder Eastern Rigs. Aren’t any left that are trawling. Everyone switched to stern trawlers for the ease of hauling back and be allowed to use larger gear. There are some Eastern Rig scallopers left.

Having experienced working on a sidewinder out of Newlyn Cornwall never felt comfortable with this style of fishing very dangerous was so glad when the vessel i was berthed on became a stern trawler my heart goes out to the families and the brave souls on these vessels RIP

Great video. Thanks, peace be unto you.

Great film you have made.

A really well toned video. There's a book about the sinking of the Ross Cleveland called Doom in the Deep by Ottar Svensson who compiled accounts of the boats, and the Icelandic crews who tried to help save her. I first read it years ago and it's both gripping and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Some of those pictures. The faces so young! The sea doesn't show mercy.

SUPERB presentation.

A statue of these brave and determined women for the CITY OF HULL is well overdue, their memory will live forever god bless them all. 🙏❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Jan twenty four

I remember going to the national fishing heritage centre ages ago. I can confirm the tour of the Ross Tiger was worth it and a real eye opener. The guy that did the tour when we went was its skipper. But given that was back in the early 00's its most likely hes stopped doing it now.

thank you very good

the sea must have her due

They often say that the cook always survives! Appalling tragedy. The book “last man off” details the loss of a fishing boat and the degree to which complacency can override safety features.

A docudrama film is needed here, similar to "perfect storm" but more.

Most of my family are from hessle road and one of my great grandfathers was a skipper for Boyd line. They’re so many stories of injuries and loss of life

Thanks!

I fished from Grimsby 1970 and stuck it long enough to get a deckie's ticket. NOBODY just turned up to get aboard; all crews were picked up by taxi as that was the only way to get a full compliment as so many would still be drunk.

The fate of these ships is eerily similar to that of the British built Blue Wave and Blue Mist side trawlers that were lost off Newfoundland in 1959 and 1966 respectively. Both of these ships had a nasty habit of keeling over on their beams end even in fairly calm conditions, very poorly designed ships.

I’d expect the captain and possibly crew of the ship that didn’t respond to the mayday to have been dealt with rather harshly in a pub once word was out.

Just came across your channel 1st story I've listened to of yours and found it very enjoyable although a sad story. My cousin ran a fishing boat out if Peterhead Aberdeenshire unfortunately he passed a few year's ago. A very strong bread Fishermen and their wives especially back in those day's.

I remember my father telling me "It's bad luck to change a ships name." Everytime I hear about a ship swapping names right before they head down to the bottom.

This was a very British video, but that local/national color helps make it good.

Moving story I lost my brother who was a deep sea fisherman aged 20 in the Arctic, he worked in Grimsby, and was lost aboard a Ross freezer

The people of Hull call it Ull

A friend worked on a fish counter said customers could not grasp that in bad weather fish were limited.

Shameful they want their fish and chips but attacked those fighting corporate greed.

My Uncle went down on the Gaul Trawler that too set out from Hull, Jimmy Mclellan from North Shields was my Uncle Rumours where it was a spy ship and all hands had Cameras and was rammed by a Russian sub, not sure the real story just know all my Family are Fishermen. RIP Jimmy and all lost Souls ...

The sharp suit part of the story, was something I saw in the building trade when I first left school in the 80's. Guys would get paid on the Friday, get a new suit (or chino's if they were a younger guy) and then drink themselves stupid over the weekend, turning up for work in their suit on the monday morning.

Raymond Wilson was skipper of the Kingston Peridot, not a spare hand as stated on the list of crews..😊

I notice that these ships like most cutters has this elegant hull with the low waist line. The dragon ships had the same design, i guess it has a purpose since theres no reason to change what had worked since the vikings.

Stern trawlers came after and are an improvement on side trawlers I believe. I'm pretty sure all big trawlers, bottom and mid water, today are stern trawlers

Very sad for those left behind with children. Especially the little girl who never met her Daddy 18:58 god bless

We need a President Lil😉 Ty for covering this incident. I’d never heard it before!

Did you say the Hell Yeah Brothers Limited? Seriously the best possible name for a company ever.

25,000 views only 1000 thumbs up? Come on people its a good video!

Goes to show you should never change the name of a ship

How are you such a good story teller. You should write a book.

Do one on the Gaul....

I’m from Cas and I just love it when you go northern 😂

The price of fish

"As rare as rocking horse shit" is enough to earn a sub from me. 😂

You gotta hand it to Ms. Bilocca, she's someone that you wouldn't want to mess with - the rozzers trying to pull her from the trawler look like they're shitting themselves. (The WPC seems to have a 'hey ho luv, y' canna go around scarin' the lads noo.' look on her face.

God bless

Harry musta had a hellava set of kahonas to hop back on a boat after what he went thru. 👍🍻

I wouldnt say that side trawlers were preferred over stern trawlers. Stern trawlers were alot easier to fish and efficient than side trawlers, side trawlers have to lay beam to the sea when picking their nets as well. The side trawlers are long gone, completely replaced by stern trawlers.

It's strange how the gutter press can at one point make these women hero's then slag them down and call one of them fat missing the point of the changes they were trying to make for the saftey of ALL fishermen. 10/10

I'd rather be a janitor than to work in those extremely dangerous conditions.

Two cooks taken ill? That's not a good sign.

There was 3 Fishing boats that sank off the Irish coast The Donegal disaster/s

So what the fuck was up with that one ship not passing along the distress call?

I REMEMBER THIS I WAS 10 A FEW YEARS LATTER I WAS ON HOLIDY IN NR HORNSEA EAST YORKSHIRE I WAS FISHING ON THE BEACH AND THERE WAS THIS LAD ABOUT MY AGE FISHING AS WELL HE TOLD ME THAT IS DAD HAD BEEN ON ONE OF THESE TRAWLERS I CANT REMEMBER WHICH ONE NOW .

This is a great video, but did I actually hear the phrase More rare than rocking horse shit?

Can you give measurements in English units for us normal people? Many of us don’t understand the Napoleonic system. Thank you.

No doubt service at sea is extremely dangerous. As you say there isn’t any way to the change the rough seas. Throughout the Industrial Revolution there is a level of “acceptable loss of life”. The cost of the product doesn’t include the cost of a workers life. If the company is pressured by regulations they relocate to a country that will let them risk workers lives. This is a sad story thank you for telling it.

LOVE AND BEST WISHES TO ALL THE FAMILIES SO SO SAD I REMEMBER THE GAUL STORY I LIVE IN CROMER IN NORFOLK WE ONLY HAVE VERY SMALL FISHING BOATS HERE ABOUT TEN IN ALL I THINK AND A LIFEBOAT THAT IS HOUSED ON THE END OF OUR PIER IVE BEEN HERE 27 YEARS NOW THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT THESE KIND OF PLACES YES THERE ARE A FEW DICK HEADS WHO THINK THEY OWN THE TOWN IM 55 NOW AND TAKE NO SHIT FROM THEM AND THE OTHERS ARE KIND AND FRIENDLY MOSTLY EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYBODY THANKYOU FOR THIS FILM LIL WAS AN AMAZING WOMAN SHE DIED YOUNG THOUGH 58 DID YOU SAY ? HEART BREAKING TRULY FROM DAVID I SHALL LIGHT A CANDLE SO THAT THE LOST MAY FIND THEIR WAY HOME IN THE DARK DAVID ANDREWS THATS ME ❤️🌘🌒🌕⚓🛳️🛥️🚤

First

awesome footage guys loved it but i have other things on my mind nellist was a tit and killed his crew ranger castor (gaul) i have studied this for years and i know working in the marine industry for many years what went wrong