Sign up to the Hull Live newsletter for daily updates and breaking news Sign up here! Thank you for subscribing See our privacy notice Invalid Email

This the poignant moment Hull’s historic Arctic Corsair sailed along the River Hull once more after 20 years.

The country’s last surviving distant water sidewinder trawler moved from its current berth on Sunday morning in an emotional send-off.

Huge crowds gathered to see the relocation of the trawler, which signals the start of Hull’s next major, heritage-led regeneration project to capitalise upon its spectacular success as UK City of Culture.

The culmination of a complex operation, involving weeks of preparation, saw two tugs manoeuvre the Arctic Corsair down the River Hull, along the Humber estuary and into temporary storage at Alexandra Dock, provided by Siemens Gamesa with the support of Associated British Ports.

The vessel will undergo restoration and conservation work before returning to a new home at a regenerated North End Shipyard on the River Hull, where it will become the centrepiece of an "exciting new maritime heritage attraction".

(Image: Claire Adamson)

This will also includes the transformation of Hull Maritime Museum and Dock Office Chambers and the conservation of the Spurn Lightship.

Volunteers who have maintained and acted as guides on the vessel over the past 20 years, including some former crew members, had gathered with members of the public and civic leaders, to watch her penultimate voyage.

For many, it proved to be an emotional experience.

Pete Forytaz, an Arctic Corsair volunteer and former crew member, said: “Seeing the Arctic Corsair proudly move down river was quite a thrill and brought back so many memories.

"Now she has moved to Alexandra Dock, I’m looking forward to the next stage of the project. The day when she returns to the River Hull to take her place in the North End Shipyard will be a beautiful sight.”

(Image: Claire Adamson)

Councillor Daren Hale, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for economic investment and regeneration, said: “This was an extremely complicated operation and the team along with our partners did an incredible job.

“Seeing the Arctic Corsair journey down the river was a very special and poignant moment for those who have come to cherish her.

"I’m delighted that so many people came to see her off. It highlights just how important she is to the city and to the nation. This is the first step in a very exciting journey for the Arctic Corsair and for Hull.”

(Image: Claire Adamson)

Adam Fowler, a former chairman of Stand who played a key role in returning the Corsair to the city, said everything could have turned out so differently all those years ago.

He said the story of the Arctic Corsair is quite simply "amazing" and wanted to thank the volunteers, Stand, the council and all of those people that got behind it, past and present.

Speaking about the relocation of the trawler, he said: “It was very emotional for me. It's a really strange feeling. It's a new chapter I didn't think would happen.

See more pictures of this historic moment below

"It's now putting the city on the map. It's living history. She did Hessle Road very proud - it can hold its head high today."

Mr Fowler said the Arctic Corsair is much more than just a trawler.

"It's about what she means to the city and people," he said. "She brought people together. The city got behind the Arctic Corsair."

And the same could be said on Sunday as crowds gathered to see her.

"The ship sailed out with her bow riding high and proud," Mr Fowler said.

And among those who turned out early on Sunday morning was David Kettley, 68, of Paull, who got there at 7am.

"I used to load it on the ships doors when it came in for reloading of the provisions," he said.

"It was nice to see it. It’s part of Hull’s history It’s a shame it has been neglected over the years."

Ken Dayes, of Kirk Ella, also came along on Sunday morning.

He used to work on the ship.

"I used to be apprentice to the owners of the ship," he said. "I started my apprenticeship in 1968 and spent 12 years with the company and used to work on the ship.

"I’m just pleased they are going to preserve it. It’s quite an exciting moment really.

"There’s a lot of people who have a connection with the history of the fishing industry and she is the last side-winding trawler."

Graham Skelton, 59, said he worked on the Arctic Corsair many years ago too.

"I went to see it when I was 15," he said. "I sailed in quite a number of trawlers, sidewinders.

"All my family went to sea. I went to sea for 25 years I was in the Arctic Corsair. I did seven voyages in the Arctic Corsair as deck hand, cook engineer, on various other vessels as well.

"My whole family went to sea. A few of them have passed away. It was a very hard, rough job bean at sea."

Steve Hardy, 69, of Sutton Park attended with his wife. He said it was a great opportunity to see what was going on.

"I’ve come down because it’s a unique event, we are not going to see this for a long time," he said.

"It’s been parked at the side of the River Hull for 20 years. When I came to Hull, which was around the Seventies, the fishing industry was a bit unfamiliar to me really.

"I became aware of what was going on by the people in Hull and it was amazing how many of the vessels were being lost and I think it wasn’t appreciated by anybody outside the fishing industry or fishing towns and cities and I’m amazed that there’s only one of these sidewinder trawlers left.

"So it’s just a great opportunity to come and see what is going on."

He said it had been a long wait to see it but it was worth it.

"It was a long wait and it happened fairly quickly when it happed but it was worth waiting for," he said. "I wouldn’t have missed it really.

"I loved to see it."

For more information on the future of the Arctic Corsair visit maritimehull.co.uk

Our daily newsletter - To get the latest headlines direct to your email inbox every day, click here .

Download our app - You can download our free app for iPhone and iPad from Apple's App Store , or get the Android version from Google Play .

Follow Hull Live on Facebook - Like our Facebook page to get the latest news in your feed and join in the lively discussions in the comments. Click here to give it a like!

Follow us on Twitter - For breaking news and the latest stories, click here to follow Hull Live on Twitter.

Follow us on Instagram - On the Hull Live Instagram page we share gorgeous pictures of our stunning city - and if you tag us in your posts, we could repost your picture on our page! We also put the latest news in our Instagram Stories. Click here to follow Hull Live on Instagram .