Dredging to let historic trawler reach new home

Dredging work is to start on the River Hull to allow a historic trawler to reach its new home in a maritime museum.

The Arctic Corsair is due to be towed to become a visitor attraction at the newly renovated North End Shipyard in the city centre.

Around 4,578 cubic yards (3,500 cubic metres) of silt and waste material is being removed from the river between Drypool Bridge and North Bridge to allow the ship to pass through, Hull City Council said.

Council leader Mike Ross described the work as "a technically complex and vital operation".

"By clearing the riverbed and preparing the dock, we are ensuring that when the tides are right this summer, we can bring this piece of Hull's history home safely," he said.

"It is a huge logistical challenge, but one that takes us a massive step closer to opening this world-class visitor attraction."

A council spokesperson said that the material removed from the river bed would be temporarily stored in North Dock and the solid waste separated out and "transported off-site for specialist disposal".

The trawler will eventually be sealed into the former dry dock before the site opens to the public.

The Arctic Corsair was built in 1960 and is Hull's last surviving sidewinder trawler.

It was involved in the Cod Wars conflict with Iceland in the 1970s and rammed an Icelandic gunboat during the dispute.

The new museum is part of a £65m redevelopment of the city's maritime history.

Listen to highlights fromHull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, and watch the latest episode of Look Northor tell us about a story you think we should be coveringhere.

Download the BBC News app from the App Storefor iPhone and iPad orGoogle Play for Android devices