Living history from the Isle on display

SECOND PLACE: The Keadby-based Spider T which finished runner-up in the National Historic Ships Flagship of the Year.

On display until March 2015 at the Hull Maritime Museum is a collection that includes material on two vessels that have great historical importance but are still very much in use.

The Spider T and HMS Pickle belong to Burringham man Mal Nicholson, who has Spider T moored at Keadby.

The only remaining Super Sloop, Spider T was built in 1926 at Warrens Shipyard on the South Bank. She sailed up the Thames as part of the flotilla for the Queen’s Jubilee, and has travelled to the north of Scotland twice for the Seafest at Arbroath and for the 200 anniversary of The Bell Rock Lighthouse, again in Arbroath.

Spider T even went over to Rotterdam representing National Historic Ships and the UK at the ‘World Port Festival’. Externally restored to her original self, she is more of an Edwardian gentleman’s yacht internally, said Mr. Nicholson.

‘Her Majesty’s Schooner Pickle’ is one of the most famous Naval ships of all time. Recreated for the bi-centennial of Nelson’s Death and as a memorial for the Battle of Trafalgar, Mr Nicholson bought her in Ocean Village Gibraltar, and she is currently in Vilamoura, Portugal. In April she will set sail for the Humber following the route that made her famous.

The epic voyage that gave her a place in history was her journey home from Trafalgar with news of the battle win, and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson, in a record time. She was the fastest ship in the navy and her achievement is still celebrated by the Royal Navy on November 5 as Pickle Night.