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Fifty years ago, the fishing trawler Gaul vanished off the coast of Norway, taking the lives of all 36 men aboard. This year, Hull honours the memory of those lost with a weekend of memorial events, remembering the thirty crew members from Hull and six from North Shields.
Peter Dade, our North Shields Mission Area Officer, reflects on the tragedy:
“The loss of the Gaul was absolutely monumental. It was a stark reminder that fishing remains one of the most dangerous peacetime occupations. The positive is the connection it created between families in North Shields and Hull. This weekend will be a time of remembrance and coming together.”
Community remembrance
Along Hessle Road in Hull, children have created posters and poems about the tragedy, marking the start of a series of events to honour the lives lost.
The sinking of the Gaul remains etched in the memories of both communities, highlighting the risks faced by those who venture into the unforgiving seas. At the time, the news of the tragedy wasn’t confirmed until our officers, David Saltiel and Alex Slater, visited the homes of the relatives to deliver the devastating news.
To this day, our officers continue to visit families affected by tragedies like this. Since we began supporting fishermen in Hull, over 6,000 lives have been lost at sea.
Join us for the memorial
On Sunday 11th February 2024, at the Hull Minster, the Fishermen’s Mission will join other organisations to remember the men lost on the Gaul and support those still affected.
For a full schedule of events, you can download the digital programme here:
