This poignant memorial was unveiled by Mayor Antoon Vink in December 1987. The office of Mayor is largely honorary and a new mayor is chosen each year by the Wyre Council. Antoon & Catherine, now deceased, served for the year 1987, as recorded by the
Wyre Council.
The following background comes from the Wyre Council.
The Council appoints a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor every year at its Annual Meeting in May. Throughout the year the Mayor hosts a number of functions, many of which raise money for charity. Some of these functions are open to the public.
Mayoral Facts:
The Mayor is considered as the First Citizen of the Borough. The only exception to this rule is when Royalty or the Lord Lieutenant visits.
The office of Mayor dates back as far as A.D.451.
The title is derived from the French, 'Monsieur le Maire' and before that it probably originated from the Latin 'Major'.
The Mayor chairs full meetings of the Council, in accordance with Standing Orders and acts in a fair and impartial manner. As Mayor, he / she cannot be a Member of the Cabinet and / or a Committee member.
Fleetwood is a place that has lived and died by the sea. It was one of the great thriving fishing centers for many years, with all of its risks and sacrifices. The Lifeboat Station here was founded in 1859 and continues to rescue many people from the fierce waters. The memory of those lost at sea is kept alive by current residents and through several memorials, including this one that lists all ships lost at sea. There are three plaques attached to the memorial, each giving an aspect of the memorial.
The inscriptions below and further information can be found on the blog of Stonechaser.
Past this place,
the fishermen of Fleetwood have
sailed for generations while their
families have watched from the shore.
Their courage and comradeship
under hardship is a living legend.
This memorial depicting equipment
from a trawler, was placed here in
recognition of the great contribution
which the men and women of the
fishing community have made to
the life of Fleetwood
THE REAL PRICE OF FISH IS THE LIVES OF MEN
The Fleetwood based trawlers listed here
came to grief on fishing operations at the cost of life.
Many other Fleetwood fishermen have been killed or injured in ships
great or small in peace and war
from Morecambe Bay to beyond the Arctic Circle
BELOVAR 4/12/13, All Hands (10), N. of Barra Head
DORIS 21/1/14, All Hands (10), Isle of Coll
CLARA BELLA Feb 1914, All Hands (13), Iceland
FANNY Feb 1917, All Hands (10), Hebrides
SWAN 7/3/21, 6 Lost, Off Lands End
ANGLE 8/1/24, All Hands (13), Isle of Man
ANIDA 18/10/24, 9 lost, Isle of Islay
CORMORAN 12/1/26, 7 lost, Islay
SALMONBY 23/3/26, 11 lost, North Sea
GAUL 3/4/26, 7 lost, Tiree
CARTEGENA, Jan '28, All hands(12), Irish Sea
BRIARLYN, 13/2/28 8 lost, St Kilda
MALAGA, 18/10/35, All Hands(12) Irish Sea
WINOOKA, 15/3/36 3 lost, St Kilda
KODAMA, 4/12/36, All Hands (12), West Scotland
SAN SEBASTION, 10/1/37, 4 lost, Islay Sound
BOSTONIAN, Jan '38, All Hands(12) S of Barra Head
EXMOUTH, 9/3/38, 3 lost, Islay
ALCAZAR 12/8/38, 7 lost, Irish Sea
WELLVALE, September '39, All Hands(12), Hebrides(U-Boat)
CRESWELL,November '39, 6 lost, Hebrides (U-Boat)
SULBY, November '39, 5 lost, Hebrides (U-Boat)
WILLIAM HUMPHREYS, Nov '39 All hands (13, Hebrides (U-Boat)
BARBARA ROBERTSON, December '39, One lost, NW Scotland (U-Boat)
MERISIA, 26/1/40, All Hands (12) Isle of Man
LOWDOCK, March '40, 11 lost, Humber Estuary
OONA HALL, 28/5/40, 8 lost, Irish Sea
THOMAS DEAS 6/2/41, All Hands (12), Humber Estuary
KINCORTH 12/6/4, 3 lost, Anglesey
LADY LOVE, 30/8/41, All Hands, Iceland (U-Boat)
KING ERIK 8/9/41, All Hands, (U-Boat)
NORDALE, 15/1/42, 5 lost, Mull of Galloway
GALLINULE, 14/3/42, 3 lost, Skerryvore
HONDO, 29/11/42, All Hands, Off Barra Head
LOIS, 5/1/47, 1 lost, Iceland
BENGHAZI 24/4/47, 2 lost, Firth of Lorne
DHOON, 12/12/47, 3 lost, Iceland
GOTH, 16/12/48, All Hands(21), Iceland
MICHAEL GRIFFITHS, 31/1/53, All Hands(13), Off Barra Head
HILDINA, 1/12/53, 6 Lost, Muckle Fugga
EVELYN ROSE 31/12/54, 12 lost, Sound of Mull
RED FALCON, 14/12/59, All Hands (19) Skerryvore
This memorial was devised by
DAVID PEARCE
and designed by
RICHARD GILLINGHAM
with research by
COUNCILLOR BEN JACKSON.
It was donated by
ROBERTSONS of FLEETWOOD
and the site was prepared by
WYRE COMMUNITY SERVICES
with the assistance of
WYRE BOROUGH COUNCIL.
Unveiled by
COUNCILLOR ANTOON VINK MAYOR of WYRE
December 1987