Arctic Corsair Update 2021 – 2022
The Arctic Corsair moves to Dunston’s Ship Repairers
At last the long awaited repair and renovation of the Arctic Corsair has begun.
The delay caused by Covid 19 and a lengthy contract tender process is over and the work has been awarded to the local company of Dunstons Ship Repairers much to the relief of the STAND committee and I am sure the rest of the people of Hull.
After lying in wait at a berth in Alexander Dock, Hull the ship was moved the few miles up the River Humber to the repair yard of Dunstons in William Wright dock by two local tugs on October 6th 2021. The move was covered by the local press and media and attended by a number of interested parties including members of the STAND Committee. It was so nice to see how well she looked afloat on the Humber, a nostalgia fix for many of us who were there to witness the event.
A visit to Dunston’s dry dock
A visit was arranged for STAND members and tour guide volunteers to view the ship on Nov 17th while she was in the dry dock. It really was good to see how much enthusiasm the yard has for the job in hand and to know that some of the men had worked on the ship during her fishing years. The hull is in remarkably good condition, the topsides less so, but we know that the yard will deliver a first class job.
When completed the ship will be moved to her new permanent home at the North End dry dock on the River Hull just a few hundred metres from where she was last in position close to the Street Life Museum. A new Visitor Centre will be part of the site and improved access to the ship will be incorporated, including a lift system down into the fishroom for visitors with mobility issues.
STAND are working closely with Hull City Council museum staff to make the most of the Visitor Centre with regard to display items. Electronic information technology will be used to bring the centre into the 21st century.
Completion dates are as yet not finalised but updates will be placed on our website. We are looking forward to the day when visitors can once again see the Arctic Corsair as she used to be in her working life.