Fishing firms reunited at Viola trawler reception
Pictured (from left) are Viola trustees Dr Robb Robinson and Paul Escreet, outgoing Lord Mayor Coun Sean Chaytor, Andrew Marr and trustee Dominic Ward.
FAMOUS names from Hull’s fishing industry were reunited at a reception hosted by the outgoing Lord Mayor of Hull to promote the Viola trawler campaign.
The Boston, Hellyer, Marr and Roach businesses were all represented at the event in the Lord Mayor’s parlour at Hull Guildhall, and were joined by other organisations in the maritime sector including ABP, Lloyds Register, McAusland Turner, the Rix Group and Trinity House.
Paul Escreet, chair of the trustees, said the support of businesses, and particularly of those involved in fishing and shipping, will be key to the success of the campaign to bring the Viola back to Hull where she will feature in a heritage display and provide training opportunities for young engineers.
He said: “The Viola sailed from Hull in September 1914 with a crew of fishermen after being requisitioned by the Admiralty and never returned. The Trust was formed to raise the money and bring together the skills to bring the Viola back and restore her.
“We need significant funding to make this happen and we have got a very long way to go but it is very encouraging to see the level of support we have received from the fishing and shipping companies and families which were at the heart of the industry in Hull.”
The Viola was in the maritime front line throughout the Great War and involved in sinking two U-boats. She then worked around the world as a trawler, a whaler and a sealer before ending up on a beach at Grytviken in South Georgia.
In 1982 the Viola was one of the vessels targeted by Argentine scrap metal merchants in the landing which sparked the Falklands War. In 2015 she was featured in a set of stamps which were released in South Georgia.
The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands has given its approval for the Viola to return to Hull. The Trust plans to set up an innovative apprenticeship scheme, giving people the skills to restore Viola as an education centre and as a lasting memorial to those who lost their lives in the war at sea.
The Trustees are all experts in maritime matters. Paul Escreet is Chairman of Hessle-based SMS Towage Ltd. Dr Robb Robinson is a historian based in the University of Hull’s Maritime Historical Studies Centre. Rear Admiral Nick Lambert is a master mariner. Dominic Ward is Senior Partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors and a specialist in shipping law for more than 30 years. The patron is former Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson.
Bart Hellyer, whose family purchased their first fishing smack in Hull in 1870 and operated a fleet which included the Viola in 1906, said: “The Hellyer family is four square in our support behind this project. We have a strong historic connection and we are pleased to see what is being planned.
“Hellyer Brothers lost about 24 trawlers to enemy action during the Great War because they did not have much defence. As events take place to mark the centenary of the First World War it would be nice to return and restore the Viola as a national memorial to all trawlermen.”
Councillor Sean Chaytor, who completed his term as Lord Mayor a few days after the reception, said: “This is a very important project for Hull and the Viola would provide a very fitting memorial to all the men from our city who served in the First World War.”
Paul Escreet added: “The Viola is an important part of Hull’s history and we want to put her to work again, as part of an apprenticeship scheme to help to get new blood into the industry. But the first step is to bring her back from South Georgia. We have the skills to do that but we need the support of as many people as possible, from maritime and general businesses and from people whose families have been part of Hull’s fishing heritage.”
For details of the story of the Viola and how to support the campaign please visit www.violatrawler.net
