One of the Arctic Corsair’s most symbolic items has been packed away before the famous Hull trawler’s relocation.
The vessel’s bell was 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 Arctic Corsair’s bell is carefully packed away by volunteer Trevor Evans.
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 vessel’s original bell is in the hands of a private collector, having been removed when the ship was decommissioned in the late 1980s.
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.
Trevor Evans, the longest-serving volunteer, and intern Abigail Jubb with the Arctic Corsair bell.
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 incremental in continuing its legacy. We look forward to welcoming them back after conservation work is complete.”
Find more information on the maritime project here.
