Turning tides for Hull’s waterfront - Photo Essay

Course : AR2A011 2020 April 2020

Turning tides for Hull’s waterfront From active industry to touristic curation and urban amnesia

Saskia Tideman A thesis submitted in the partial fulfillment for the degree of Masters of Science in the Faculty of the Built Environment Technical University of Delft Supervisor : Thomas van den Brink

Abstract The story of Hull’s docklands is an endless struggle to keep up with industrial ambitions which came to a sudden halt due to a perfect storm of circumstances. Since, the city has retreated from its waterfront, struggling to re-use docks whose industrial purpose disappeared. This thesis sets out to understand the city’s relationship with its Maritime Industrial Heritage (MIH), by questioning how deindustrialised docklands were re-used and whether Hull’s cultural regeneration features a fair representation of MIH. If Hull’s docks are regenerated without considering wider social, economic and urban ramifications, this priceless cultural asset risks dereliction and misuse. The study of archival sources, press and academic papers provided a nuanced understanding in Hull’s MIH. Fieldwork and photography have provided insight into their current condition. Research on the topics of cultural regeneration, waterfront redevelopment and industrial heritage supplied a context on the basis of which Hull’s relation with its MIH could be appraised. This thesis finds that Hull has always entertained an ambivalent relationship with its MIH. This ambivalence suggests a bias against heritage associated with less desirables images of the past, and this selectiveness affects both the choice of MIH which is curated, as well as the manner in which it is presented. While most post-industrial docks have been reused, their portrayal of maritime heritage is caricatural and romanticised. Hull’s fish dock, however, was never developed due to the different stakeholder views of the sites’ role in place-memory. This thesis finds that Hull’s nascent ambitions to improve its city-destination potential following its nomination as City of Culture in 2017, still fail to present a nuanced vision of the city’s maritime past. This has led to urban amnesia, whereby the built testimony of the fishing industry is disappearing. This thesis finds that tourism, due to its requirement for simplified maritime narratives, cannot ensures the safeguarding of Hull’s disappearing MIH. This thesis concludes that a new model of community-based redevelopment is needed to retain and protect Hull’s contentious MIH site.

Key words: maritime industrial heritage, regeneration, waterfront, Hull, dock, urban amnesia

Abstract The story of Hull’s docklands is an endless struggle to keep up with industrial ambitions which came to a sudden halt due to a perfect storm of circumstances. Since, the city has retreated from its waterfront, struggling to re-use docks whose industrial purpose disappeared. This thesis sets out to understand the city’s relationship with its Maritime Industrial Heritage (MIH), by questioning how deindustrialised docklands were re-used and whether Hull’s cultural regeneration features a fair representation of MIH. If Hull’s docks are regenerated without considering wider social, economic and urban ramifications, this priceless cultural asset risks dereliction and misuse. The study of archival sources, press and academic papers provided a nuanced understanding in Hull’s MIH. Fieldwork and photography have provided insight into their current condition. Research on the topics of cultural regeneration, waterfront redevelopment and industrial heritage supplied a context on the basis of which Hull’s relation with its MIH could be appraised. This thesis finds that Hull has always entertained an ambivalent relationship with its MIH. This ambivalence suggests a bias against heritage associated with less desirables images of the past, and this selectiveness affects both the choice of MIH which is curated, as well as the manner in which it is presented. While most post-industrial docks have been reused, their portrayal of maritime heritage is caricatural and romanticised. Hull’s fish dock, however, was never developed due to the different stakeholder views of the sites’ role in place-memory. This thesis finds that Hull’s nascent ambitions to improve its city-destination potential following its nomination as City of Culture in 2017, still fail to present a nuanced vision of the city’s maritime past. This has led to urban amnesia, whereby the built testimony of the fishing industry is disappearing. This thesis finds that tourism, due to its requirement for simplified maritime narratives, cannot ensures the safeguarding of Hull’s disappearing MIH. This thesis concludes that a new model of community-based redevelopment is needed to retain and protect Hull’s contentious MIH site.

Key words: maritime industrial heritage, regeneration, waterfront, Hull, dock, urban amnesia

Appendix Photo journal ‘Glory Past?’

Hull has evolved around the two water courses which surround it. The Humber estuary lies to its South while the River Hull today bisects to the city, flowing into the Humber.

Three routes took me along the liminal space which separates city from water.

Each route has been mapped and documented with photographs. Walking through these docklands provided an introduction to the context I wished to study for the thesis and highlighted which areas might be of fit for a detailed study. Conversations with passerby’s and the research I later undertook in preparation of thesis writing have complemented the photo annotations.

Humber Waterfront East Hull

This research and documentation provides a snapshot in the state of the waterfront. The condition, accessibility and use of the different parts of the historic docklands and waterfront varies greatly. Furthermore, construction sites hint that rapid change is underway. This photo journal therefore responds informally to the many photography books which documented the docklands in their heydays.

All photos are my own.

Banks of the river Hull

Humber Waterfront West Hull N 57

Appendix Photo journal ‘Glory Past?’

Hull has evolved around the two water courses which surround it. The Humber estuary lies to its South while the River Hull today bisects to the city, flowing into the Humber.

Three routes took me along the liminal space which separates city from water.

Each route has been mapped and documented with photographs. Walking through these docklands provided an introduction to the context I wished to study for the thesis and highlighted which areas might be of fit for a detailed study. Conversations with passerby’s and the research I later undertook in preparation of thesis writing have complemented the photo annotations.

Humber Waterfront East Hull

This research and documentation provides a snapshot in the state of the waterfront. The condition, accessibility and use of the different parts of the historic docklands and waterfront varies greatly. Furthermore, construction sites hint that rapid change is underway. This photo journal therefore responds informally to the many photography books which documented the docklands in their heydays.

All photos are my own.

Banks of the river Hull

Humber Waterfront West Hull N 57

King George V Dock

Humber Waterfront East Hull

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The eastern waterfront of Hull was developed at a much later stage that its western counterpart. These docks were intended for commercial use, namely goods trading, as well as passenger transportation. Today, these east most docks are still industrial and therefore hardly accessible.

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Alexandra Dock

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Victoria Dock 04 06 & 07 03 02 05 01

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Outline of historic dock

King George V Dock

Humber Waterfront East Hull

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The eastern waterfront of Hull was developed at a much later stage that its western counterpart. These docks were intended for commercial use, namely goods trading, as well as passenger transportation. Today, these east most docks are still industrial and therefore hardly accessible.

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Alexandra Dock

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Victoria Dock 04 06 & 07 03 02 05 01

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Outline of historic dock

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Flood defense works carried out by the environmental agency, rendering the waterfront inaccessible.

The dock’s outer basin and half tide basin.

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Flood defense works carried out by the environmental agency, rendering the waterfront inaccessible.

The dock’s outer basin and half tide basin.

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Sparse remains of the location past purpose are inconspicuous.

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Left : Grade II listed Sing Bridge.

Bottom : Silted Slipway.

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Sparse remains of the location past purpose are inconspicuous.

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Left : Grade II listed Sing Bridge.

Bottom : Silted Slipway.

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Bottom : A Grade II Listed Hydraulic Tower And Pump House.

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Right and previous page : Siemens industrial grounds featuring wind turbines awaiting transport to the North Sea Wind Farms.

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Bottom : A Grade II Listed Hydraulic Tower And Pump House.

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Right and previous page : Siemens industrial grounds featuring wind turbines awaiting transport to the North Sea Wind Farms.

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King George Dock’s passenger terminal, visible from afar.

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King George Dock’s passenger terminal, visible from afar.

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Hull Banks The banks of the river Hull provided Hull with its first MIH sites. These were however replaced by Hull’s town docks in the early 19th century. Today, these docks feature a range of different conditions.

Railway Dock

Prince’s Dock

Humber Dock Queen’s Dock

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Outline of historic dock

Hull Banks The banks of the river Hull provided Hull with its first MIH sites. These were however replaced by Hull’s town docks in the early 19th century. Today, these docks feature a range of different conditions.

Railway Dock

Prince’s Dock

Humber Dock Queen’s Dock

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Outline of historic dock

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Left - The Wincolmlee Industrial Area. The omnipresence of recent tall industrial buildings, demonstrates of Hull’s remaining of industrial activities.

Shown here is the Maizecor corn silo, one of the last remaining tall grain silos left in Hull.

Right - Shotwell tower, visible in all river vistas.

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Left - The Wincolmlee Industrial Area. The omnipresence of recent tall industrial buildings, demonstrates of Hull’s remaining of industrial activities.

Shown here is the Maizecor corn silo, one of the last remaining tall grain silos left in Hull.

Right - Shotwell tower, visible in all river vistas.

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Construction is underway on the historic dry docks in the framework of the Yorkshire Maritime City masterplan. This dock will soon host the Arctic Corsair, a ship which will be made accessible to the public.

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Construction is underway on the historic dry docks in the framework of the Yorkshire Maritime City masterplan. This dock will soon host the Arctic Corsair, a ship which will be made accessible to the public.

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Left : The public’s complete disregard of maritime heritage is manifested here through the vandalism of a historic mooring bollard.

Bottom : The ‘publicly accessible’ path which follows the waterline is heavily littered and unsafe.

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Left : The public’s complete disregard of maritime heritage is manifested here through the vandalism of a historic mooring bollard.

Bottom : The ‘publicly accessible’ path which follows the waterline is heavily littered and unsafe.

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Beautiful seemingly uninhabited old riverside building. These warehouses feature the remains of the cantilevering steel structure used to unload goods.

To the right, Pease Warehouse (1745) which was owned by the merchant Joseph Peace.

It is has been converted into residential accommodation.

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Beautiful seemingly uninhabited old riverside building. These warehouses feature the remains of the cantilevering steel structure used to unload goods.

To the right, Pease Warehouse (1745) which was owned by the merchant Joseph Peace.

It is has been converted into residential accommodation.

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The roof of the old dock office featuring a wind vane in the shape of a ship. The building has since become the offices for a training provider in first aid, construction and beauty. While the view to the left seem curated, the drab view from the river pales in comparison.

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Right - View from the East, river Hull.

Left- View from the old city centre.

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The roof of the old dock office featuring a wind vane in the shape of a ship. The building has since become the offices for a training provider in first aid, construction and beauty. While the view to the left seem curated, the drab view from the river pales in comparison.

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Right - View from the East, river Hull.

Left- View from the old city centre.

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The Buoy Shed and crane, prized heritage sites, are in a derelict condition.

Today the building is used by Northern Divers which supplies underwater services related to shipping and salvage work.

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The Buoy Shed and crane, prized heritage sites, are in a derelict condition.

Today the building is used by Northern Divers which supplies underwater services related to shipping and salvage work.

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Hull’s grown over dry docks and riverbanks 19

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Hull’s grown over dry docks and riverbanks 19

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Left : A memorial to the merchant seamen that lots their lives outside the Maritime Museum.

Right : Prince’s shopping mall, poised on stilts above Prince’s dock.

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Left : A memorial to the merchant seamen that lots their lives outside the Maritime Museum.

Right : Prince’s shopping mall, poised on stilts above Prince’s dock.

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This page shows Humber street and the Fruit Market regeneration initiatives, which Hull presents as its new cultural centre.

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The A63 Castle Street footbridge (due for completion in 2020) is intended as a landmark which reconnects the city centre an waterfront.

Reference is made to maritime heritage through the ‘fishing trail’, a route through Hull’s historic centre adorned with various life-size paving sculptures of fish.

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This page shows Humber street and the Fruit Market regeneration initiatives, which Hull presents as its new cultural centre.

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The A63 Castle Street footbridge (due for completion in 2020) is intended as a landmark which reconnects the city centre an waterfront.

Reference is made to maritime heritage through the ‘fishing trail’, a route through Hull’s historic centre adorned with various life-size paving sculptures of fish.

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Hull’s Grade II Listed Storm Surge barrier and in the forefront, a dry dock reused for open air performances.

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Humber dock’s new role as a marina.

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Hull’s Grade II Listed Storm Surge barrier and in the forefront, a dry dock reused for open air performances.

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Humber dock’s new role as a marina.

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Left : Voyage on the pier at Hull is a brass cast seeking to commemorate the relationship between Hull and Iceland, whose water the trawler fleet depended for its cod rich waters.

The original statue was stolen, it is believe due to its scrap metal value.

Above : Corporation Jetty pier, built in the early 1800s, was intended for passenger transport.

It has since been redeveloped for leisure use.

Right : To the right of the photo, the C4Di centre (completed in 2016) which consists of a workspace for technology companies. Intended as an iconic presence on the waterfront, it was funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

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Left : Voyage on the pier at Hull is a brass cast seeking to commemorate the relationship between Hull and Iceland, whose water the trawler fleet depended for its cod rich waters.

The original statue was stolen, it is believe due to its scrap metal value.

Above : Corporation Jetty pier, built in the early 1800s, was intended for passenger transport.

It has since been redeveloped for leisure use.

Right : To the right of the photo, the C4Di centre (completed in 2016) which consists of a workspace for technology companies. Intended as an iconic presence on the waterfront, it was funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

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Left : The Deep was completed in 2000, and was an attempt at creating an iconic presence on the waterfront.

Bottom : Old and new port structures. In the background the Siemens campus on Alexandra docks can be seen, supplying the North Sea Wind Farm.

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Left : The Deep was completed in 2000, and was an attempt at creating an iconic presence on the waterfront.

Bottom : Old and new port structures. In the background the Siemens campus on Alexandra docks can be seen, supplying the North Sea Wind Farm.

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Humber Waterfront West Hull The western waterfront present various identities due to the different fates of its docks. While Albert dock and William Wright are still in use, St Andrew’s dock is derelict.

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Albert Dock

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William Wright Dock 15 11

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St Andrew’s Dock

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St Andrew’s Dock Extension

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Outline of historic dock

Humber Waterfront West Hull The western waterfront present various identities due to the different fates of its docks. While Albert dock and William Wright are still in use, St Andrew’s dock is derelict.

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Albert Dock

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William Wright Dock 15 11

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St Andrew’s Dock

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St Andrew’s Dock Extension

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Outline of historic dock

Bottom : A poor attempt at curating the waterfront with a public footpath meandering between fences Right : Spectacular view of the quiet remaining industrial activity

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Next page : Hota Seascape Tower (Albert Dock) is considered to be one of 11 ‘significant skyline landmarks’ according to the Conservation Area Character Appraisal South old town document.

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Bottom : A poor attempt at curating the waterfront with a public footpath meandering between fences Right : Spectacular view of the quiet remaining industrial activity

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Next page : Hota Seascape Tower (Albert Dock) is considered to be one of 11 ‘significant skyline landmarks’ according to the Conservation Area Character Appraisal South old town document.

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This page and following : A right of way runs along the Humber bank by Albert and William Wright docks. Nearest to the city centre, it snakes its way through the docklands, finally passing over the old passenger terminals, since converted to warehouses. Further west, the path is pinned between the waterline and high security fences, which prevent rare passersby for looking in.

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Bottom right : The skeletal remains of the Humber riverside quays following the Blitz 05

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This page and following : A right of way runs along the Humber bank by Albert and William Wright docks. Nearest to the city centre, it snakes its way through the docklands, finally passing over the old passenger terminals, since converted to warehouses. Further west, the path is pinned between the waterline and high security fences, which prevent rare passersby for looking in.

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Bottom right : The skeletal remains of the Humber riverside quays following the Blitz 05

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Industrial grit of the docklands, which presents scenes of industrial activity. These photos feature the omnipresent shadow of the fences preventing one from gaining access to the dock.

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Industrial grit of the docklands, which presents scenes of industrial activity. These photos feature the omnipresent shadow of the fences preventing one from gaining access to the dock.

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Left : a memorial to the trawler men lives lost at sea. A yearly memorial event gathers hundreds of people to this point.

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Bottom : The absurd adjacency of a Chinese restaurant ‘Mr Chu’ and the Lord Line Building, which used to house the fishing headquarters.

Right : Derelict condition of the Grade II listed Pump house and locally listen Lord Line building.

Next page : The tarmacked retail park which replaced St Andrew’s Dock extension in the 80s.

The only mention of the fishing industry is a discreet mural.

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Left : a memorial to the trawler men lives lost at sea. A yearly memorial event gathers hundreds of people to this point.

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Bottom : The absurd adjacency of a Chinese restaurant ‘Mr Chu’ and the Lord Line Building, which used to house the fishing headquarters.

Right : Derelict condition of the Grade II listed Pump house and locally listen Lord Line building.

Next page : The tarmacked retail park which replaced St Andrew’s Dock extension in the 80s.

The only mention of the fishing industry is a discreet mural.

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Graffiti found in Hessle road and surroundings.

Hessle was the epicenter of the fishing community, and still today houses the Hull Fishing Heritage Centre.

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Graffiti found in Hessle road and surroundings.

Hessle was the epicenter of the fishing community, and still today houses the Hull Fishing Heritage Centre.

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