FOR THOSE IN PERIL
Arctic Trawling and Fishing Community Life in Hull (England)
Tutor: ALEC GILL BSc. MSc. Author, social historian, psychologist, public speaker, video producer, and Hull University lecturer.
The Port of Hull is my hometown. The topic of "Hessle Road" - the fishing community and its people - is the subject closest to my heart (of all those on this website). I began a photo-documentary study of the area and people in 1974 - this resulted in twenty
solo exhibitions in the UK and USA. In 1984 I began to write about the dynamic deep-sea trawling industry and lifestyle of the fishing families - this resulted in five books, hundreds of articles, countless talks on the
topic, interviews on radio, and television appearances at home and abroad. In 1995 I produced my first video (with Dovedale Studio) and have just released my fourth one
called "ARCTIC TRAWLERMEN" (in the Summer of 2000).
Arctic trawlermen were "the last of the hunters" doing the most perilous job in the world. In war or peace, British
deep-sea fishermen stared death in the face each time they set sail. Drawing upon over
thirty years research the Arctic trawling industry
and community of Hull, I highlight the way of life endured by the tough crewmen and their brave families. Slides and video material illustrate the dangers at sea, life in the community, superstitions ashore and afloat, the role of trawlers in war-time, fish dock activities, the Cod Wars, and
'Spyships' in the
Cold War.
This talk is an historic exploration of British Arctic trawling and the hardships of
"those in peril on the sea". This diverse topic can be
applied to many areas of interest - at both the level of education and entertainment.
Arctic trawlermen were "the last of the hunters" doing the
most perilous job in the world. In war or peace, British deep-sea fishermen stared death
in the face each time they set sail. Drawing upon thirty years research into the Arctic
trawling industry and community of his hometown of Hull, Alec highlights the way of life
endured by the tough crewmen and their brave families. Slides and video material
illustrate the dangers at sea, life in the community, superstitions ashore and afloat, the
role of trawlers in war-time, fish dock activities, the Cod Wars and Spyships in the Cold
War. Join Alec on an historic exploration of British Arctic trawling and the hardships of "those
in peril on the sea". This diverse topic can be
applied to many aspects of academic study.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
WELCOME: To each other and the
topic.
FOR THOSE IN PERIL: From smack to stern-freezer;
deckie-learner to skipper. As the "world's most dangerous occupation" many Hull
trawlermen were lost at sea. And one day I hope to document from The
Register of Dead Seamen at Cardiff all those Hull trawlermen lost at sea..
THE CRUEL SEA: Archive footage on video will highlight the dangers at sea: frost, fog &
fatigue.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT: Life in Hull's dynamic Hessle Road community - with a special emphasis upon the wives, widows, and children.
TABOO-RIDDEN RITUALS: "Of all seafarers none are more superstitious
than fishermen". Many taboos were home-spun
religion.
FISH DOCK LIFE: Working around the clock, "Time is money" was the trawler barons motto
as they ruled the dock with a feudal fist.
WAR TRAWLERS: Churchill described them as "a Navy within the Navy". They swept mines
and hunted U-boats - yet were looked down upon by others.
CRUEL SEA: Archive footage on video highlights the dangers at sea: frost, fog and fatigue.
COD WARS and THE COLD WAR TRAWLERS: Hull was at the centre of the 'spyship' rumours, especially around the loss of
the "Gaul" in 1974.