Sailing into fishing history

This was a moment which saw the start of major changes in the fishing industry.
The Hull based Lord Nelson slides into the water at Rickmers Werit shipyard in Bremerhaven on January 19, 1961. Built for Associated Fisheries Ltd she was the first stern fishing distant water trawler.
The vessel is seen in our second picture arriving home from her first trip. The date is thought to be August 23, 1961.





The triple disaster of 1968 which saw the loss of 57 men on the Hull trawlers St Romanus, Kingston Peridot and Ross Cleveland led to the British fleet off Iceland having its own mother ship - the merchant navy vessel Miranda.
Skippered initially by Alf Smith, of Hull, Miranda offered weather forecasting and hospital facilities to the fleet. She also maintained regular radio contact with all British vessels in the area.
Miranda was introduced following the Holand Martin inquiry into trawler safety, which also recommended a ban on trawling off Iceland's North Cape during the winter.



A scene from the past.
Believed to have been taken in 1961 this picture shows the sidewinder trawler Prince Charles along the quayside in St Andrew's Dock, Hull.

Written by The Editor - 14/01/2003 16:24:04

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