Fishing Firms Reunited At Viola Trawler Reception

Viola Trawler Post

12th May 2017

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.”

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, the Lord Mayor of Hull and Admiral of the Humber, 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.”

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