Could Hull be getting a new Museum dedicated to Tugs and Towing?

Hull has a rich history in the maritime industry. It was once the centre if trade for fishing, trawling and whaling. It already has a Maritime Museum and a Trawler Museum where you can actually climb onto a trawler ship.

 

Now, a push is being made for Hull to have a museum dedicated to tugs, towing and to the local firm United Towing Company Ltd which ceased operation in 1992.

United Towing Company Ltd

In its heyday, United Towing Company Ltd employed around 500 people and owned a fleet of over 40 tugs dedicated to salvage, towage and river work.

Michael Hussey, chairman of the United Towing and Salvage Society said: “It is disappointing to me personally, and the society in general, that so little has been done by the city to promote this fantastic and relevant maritime history and heritage.”

He said: “These small ships enabled the Port of Hull to maximise its potential by assisting large ships to manoeuvre in the Humber, the river and in the docks of the city. This is a role they continue to do to this day.”

“We are a city built on our maritime link and I feel it is vital that the whole maritime heritage is given prominent coverage by the city, and within the Maritime Museum. I feel we are missing out on an important visitor attraction at a time when we should be packing in as much as possible.”

“Our ultimate aim is to have a museum devoted to tugs and towage,” he said.

With Hull being awarded the UK City of Culture award for 2017, this may be just the time for another museum to focus on another aspect of the city’s unique and important contribution to the UK’s marine industry.

Source and further reading: Hull Daily Mail