Arctic Corsair high and dry for first time in decades
HISTORIC SHIP DRY DOCKED
IT’S the first time she has been out of the water in three decades.
Now safely dry docked, the Arctic Corsair cuts an even more impressive sight than she did while moored next to the Streetlife Museum on the River Hull.
The converted former sidewinder trawler will eventually resume her role as a visitor attraction after being refurbished by marine specialists Dunston Ship Repairs on William Wright Dock.
Having been towed into the dock recently, the vessel is now out of the water giving engineers the chance to carry out a detailed inspection of her enormous hull.
When her facelift is complete, another dry dock at the former North East Shipyard off High Street will be her final resting home.
And, as this photograph shows, her hull will also be clearly visible to visitors with plans for them to see her up close in the dry dock itself as well as being able to go onboard.
The old trawler will be the star attraction at the site in the Old Town where a new visitor centre will also be built telling the story of the vessel and the city’s maritime history.
Dunston’s is also carrying out restoration work to the historic Spurn Lightship as part of Hull City Council’s £30m maritime heritage project, which is being part-funded by the National Heritage Lottery.
The lightship is destined to return to Hull Marina in a new location near the new Castle Street footbridge before opening as a visitor attraction.
City council leader Councillor Daren Hale said: “It is great to see and appreciate the true size and scale of the trawler now she is out of the water.
“You can get a real feel of how she will finally look in her new dry berth at the former North End Shipyard, where visitors will be able to explore her fully as part of the plans to create a new maritime attraction.
“The work to restore the trawler is underway and I am looking forward to Dunston’s giving the trawler a new lease of life and protecting her charm, integrity and story”
Work to restore the trawler is expected to take 12 months with the new complex to open in late 2023.