Appeal for memories of the Grimsby trawler Ross Revenge

The Ross Revenge in its trawling days

Locals are being asked for their memories of the Grimsby trawler the Ross Revenge.

Launched in 1960, the 220-feet-long vessel spent many years as the flagship of the Ross fleet; fishing in Arctic waters.

It was actively involved in the Cod Wars of the 1970s, when UK ships faced Icelandic navy gunboats in a dispute over fishing rights.

After the decline of the fishing industry the boat faced the scrap yard.

It was saved when Radio Caroline bought it and converted it to an offshore radio station in 1983.

Moored off the Kent coast, the ship had an eight year broadcasting career until storms forced it aground in 1991.

The boat was repaired and it is now moored in Tilbury docks in Essex, where she is still used to occasionally transmit programmes for Radio Caroline.

More recently the boat found fame on the big screen when it was used as the inspiration for the Richard Curtis film The Boat That Rocked, a comedy recreating the halcyon days of pirate radio in the 1960s. Most of the vintage broadcasting equipment featured in the movie was loaned from the Ross Revenge.

The boat undergoing repairs in Tilbury

To mark the ship's 50th anniversary Radio Caroline are looking for memories of the boat from people who may have worked with her during her fishing or pirate radio days.

The station is planning a special broadcast from the ship this August Bank Holiday to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Bob Lawrence is a presenter on Radio Caroline. He said the station is looking for memories from its life as a trawler:

"We're keen to hear stories from people who maybe remember the ship for something other than radio broadcasting."

People can send their memories via the Radio Caroline website

Images courtesy and copyright www.rossrevenge.co.uk