Piece of shipbuilding history steered back home for display

Maritime historian Robb Robinson handed over a ship’s wheel to the Mayor of Hessle, Frank Kitchen, for hanging in Hessle Town Council in time for its Civic Day on Sunday.

The wheel is from the Halcyon – launched into the Haven in March 1903 from Henry Scarrs’ shipyard – and built for the coasting trade. For many years it was used to carry bricks and building equipment to remote communities, including the Outer Hebrides.

Coun Kitchen, who is 79 and only retired in January as a marine engineer, said: “I think it is absolutely brilliant to have this. The area has such a tremendous history of shipbuilding and it’s gone, there is nothing left.”

Shipbuilding went on in the Haven from the late 17th century through to the 1990s. Famous ships built there include HMS Hecla in 1815, which was used as an exploration ship by Captain William Parry on three voyages in quest of the North-West Passage, and in the 1960s the Sail Training Association schooner, Sir Winston Churchill, was built by Dunstons.

However, the Haven is now closed to navigation and rapidly silting up.

Dr Robinson thanked Dunstons for restoring the wheel and Specialist Marine Services for their help.