Fifty years ago this year, the fishing trawler Gaul, vanished off the coast of Norway, taking the lives of all thirty-six men aboard. On September 21st – 22nd this year, North Shields remembers the devastating tragedy with a weekend of memorial events honouring the six crew members from North Shields and the thirty crew members from Hull. Events took place in Hull in February this year, and now the focus is on North Shields in September.
“The loss of the Gaul was absolutely monumental,” said Peter Dade, our North Shields’ Mission Area officer. “It was a massive tragedy and a stark reminder that fishing remains one of the most dangerous of peacetime occupations.”
“The positive in this, is the link between the families in North Shields and Hull. This weekend will be a time of remembrance and coming together,” he emphasised. The sinking of the Gaul remains etched in the memories of both communities, serving as a constant reminder of the risks faced by those who venture into the unforgiving seas. The news of the tragedy was not confirmed until Fishermen’s Mission officers, David Saltiel and Alex Slater visited the houses of the relatives of the deceased to tell them what had happened.
To this day, our officers are still visiting those who were affected by the tragedy and others just like it. Since the Fishermen’s Mission was formed in 1881, in Hull alone over six thousand fishermen have died at sea.
Around eighty fishing families from Hull and representatives from the community of Hull are expected to attend the special weekend. www.fishermensmission.org.uk
