Back in the 60’s when our Steam Press was invented and Fishing was the mainstay of the Humber Ports, Kingston upon Hull vied with Great Grimsby, most fish landings in the UK came into the Humber via the Distant water deep sea Trawling fleet.

These hardy souls and the heroes of my youth, spent 3 weeks at sea in the far northern Latitudes returning home for a “Three Day millionaires’ lifestyle and then back to sea before they knew it.

So, to maximise their shore leave, the crews would always want to arrive at the quay looking pin sharp, once in the calmer waters of the Humber estuary and the ship ready to discharge they would be scrubbing themselves up,therefore their progress to the fish quay was closely monitored.

As they sailed up river and passed the Alexandra Dock there was a large warehouse with its corrugated doors adorned with a massive stylised dead bird, on its back, legs pointing skywards complete with the legend “Dead Bod” written underneath.

It became so much more than a reference point, it became in fact a visual touchstone for the crews returning from the dangers and hardships of their work.

Well OK we don’t all face the hardships of the deep sea to earn a living, but once I see that cheeky image coming out, I know work is done for now and its Surf time again and cannot help but grin.

• Although It is a visual representation of a very real Maritime event as witnessed by its creator Len “Pongo” Rood, its conception is believed to be largely due to the combination of three random elements,
• Lens Saturday at work Boredom
• The availability of an open tin of paint.
• the inspirational memory of a truly hilarious moment at sea.
• A fourth element of inspiration came from the Strickland Arms Public House we are told but cannot confirm.

What Len could not have foreseen back in 1960 was that 61 years later his Artwork would in turn become a truly authentic part of the City of Kingston upon Hulls cultural heritage.

The original corrugated Iron door artwork and full story are now forming part of the amazing Hull Bankside experience. www.humberstreetgallery.co.uk