Service to Honor Hull’s Lost Trawlermen Marks 70 Years Since Lorella and Roderigo
A special service in Hull will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Lorella and Roderigo trawlers lost at sea.
Hull, UK, Lorella, Roderigo, Trawlermen, Fishing
Hull: The annual service to remember the lost trawlermen is happening on Sunday, January 26. This year is special as it marks 70 years since the Lorella and Roderigo sank.
Both trawlers went down on January 26, 1955, near Iceland’s North Cape. The service will be held at St John the Baptist Church, also known as the Fishermen’s Church, right in the heart of Hull’s old fishing community.
Ruth Creasey, who leads the St Andrew’s Dock Fishing Heritage Group, shared that this year’s event is the 36th. They’ll honor the Lorella and Roderigo since it’s the actual anniversary of their loss.
During the service, they’ll read out the names of the 40 crew members who were lost. Ruth will also share a brief story about what happened when the trawlers sank.
It’s estimated that over 6,000 trawlermen have been lost from Hull. The service will start with the bell from the wreck of the Gaul, which sank in 1974, ringing to mark a two-minute silence.
Ruth mentioned that the City of Hull Band will be there, along with kids from Chiltern Primary School choir. It’s great to have the children involved, as they learn about the history of the trawlers.
A past report highlighted the emotional impact of the Lorella and Roderigo tragedies. The two vessels faced terrible weather, with hurricane-force winds and blizzards.
In their final moments, the crews communicated about the dire conditions. Messages revealed how they struggled against the elements, with the last transmissions showing their desperate situation.
It’s a poignant reminder of the risks these fishermen faced. The service is a heartfelt tribute to their memory and the sacrifices made by so many.