NEWS • 09 November 2020
Wool, Whales and Wind Turbines – University Historian on transformation of Hull as a port city
The rejuvenation of Hull and its port have been highlighted by Historian Dr Robb Robinson in a new book.
Dr Robinson, Honorary Research Fellow at the Blaydes Maritime Centre at the University of Hull, detailed the illustrious history of Hull as a thriving port city, with its first dock dating back to the 1770s.
He also documented the resilience of generations which first witnessed the decline of Hull's fishing industry, and are now seeing the extraordinary rise of emerging sectors such as renewable energy.
The book - entitled 'Around These Islands in 12 Ports' - follows author Jonathan Winter as he aims to explore the varying identities and cultures found throughout the British Isles, and their relationship to the sea.
With a different local author or historian writing an article from each port, Dr Robinson represented Hull with his chapter 'Wool, Whales and Wind Turbines.'
Dr Robinson said: "Hull's relationship with the sea has defined its existence over the years.
Dr Robinson, whose newly publicised chapter appears in the book.
Hull is often thought of as the end of the line to many - but to me, it is the portal to the rest of the world.
Dr Robb Robinson
"As a port city, Hull has always been extremely versatile, particularly now in its handling of energy cargo."
In his chapter, Dr Robinson detailed how the devastating economic impact of the decline of Hull's fishing industry was part of a "wider reduction in the use of labour in waterfront activities in the UK, in favour of increased mechanisation in ports."
In the early 1800s, at the peak of the whaling industry, Hull's port became a major importer and exporter of whale oil; used to light street lamps at the time.
Since then, it has adapted to handle the energy source of choice at the time, with coal, petrol, natural gas and now wind energy all taking prominence in the region in enormous quantities.
This vast handling of energy cargo has seen the port become recognized as the UK's Energy Estuary, with a tenth of the UK's lights being powered by cargo passing through Hull.
The decline of the fishing industry, so instrumental in providing economic value to the region for centuries, could have been viewed as a loss of identity.
However, Robb believes the unique quality of Hull is that "its identity constantly evolves."
This evolution is apparent throughout the region. Hull is now the UK's fourth-busiest passenger port, with one million people passing through per year.
Humber Ports handle around 16% of the UK's entire seaborne trade. The opening of a wind turbine factory by Siemens Gamesa, the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe, demonstrates the attraction of the region to investors in these industries.
These statistics are indicative of a port city in which its people possess a natural resilience.
After visiting the city, Jonathan Winter remarked that he felt "a true sense of confidence and pride in everyone we met", especially after having recently spent a year as the UK City of Culture 2017.
Everybody had similar aspirations for the future direction of the city, with the green economy brought by offshore technologies the most common.
Jonathan Winter
Author of 'Around These Islands in 12 Ports'
You can buy a copy of 'Around These Islands in 12 Ports' by visiting this link.
8.15 am, 19 October 2022
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