Huge turnout expected for unveiling of memorial

As many as 1,000 people are expected at Sunday’s Lost Trawlermen’s Day event on St Andrew’s Quay in Hull, for the blessing of the memorial, which was 15 years in the planning, by Dr John Sentamu.

Always a poignant event, this year will be special, said Rev Tony Cotson, chaplain to fishing heritage charity Stand “because it is the realisation of something that is so important for the people across the city.

“There’s been some wonderful women and men who have put a great deal of their lives into this and sadly some of them are no longer with us, including the late skipper Jim Williams.”

Rev Cotson said they were expecting any number between 500 and 1,000 to attend.

However bitter the weather some people “would rather not stand in the marquee that’s warm.

“They would rather stand outside - they feel it is more fitting to remember their shipmates in conditions like that.

“What’s remarkable is that we are getting more younger people attending.”

Created by Peter Naylor, the sculptor behind the popular tribute to the men of the 158 Squadron Bomber Command at Lissett in East Yorkshire, the sculpture is made up of 14 figures - the 13 ill-fated crew and a young boy.

Dressed in suits, most are carrying kitbags full of clothes to last them the three-week trip.

Mr Naylor has said he wants people who had lost relatives to “feel this is almost a headstone. You want them to feel you have bought their loved ones home”.

Bishop of Hull Alison White is also attending alongside representatives of organisations like the Hull-based Sailors’ Children’s Society, Fishermen’s Mission and Hull Sea Cadets.

The Salvation Army Band will be playing and for the first time there will be a school choir from Chiltern Primary School.

The service commemorates the estimated 6,000 fishermen who died sailing out of the Hull since the mid 19th century.

Rev Cotson said it was the first Lost Trawlermen’s Day he could remember where they had not focussed on the loss of a particular ship.