Why do we read so little of The Gaul?
Could this be the story which has no ending?

The midnight sun sets over the Barents Sea where The Gaul lies with her secrets of 28 years still untold.
As a journalist who has followed her enduring mystery from the 20th century into the 21st I have a nagging worry that her story is one that some would prefer has no ending.
As the Government sponsored survey to the wreck draws to a close, and at the time of writing still no human remains have been reported found, I have to say I am appalled at the apparent indifference of the media towards this most remarkable story. Millions of words have been written about The Gaul over the past 28 years but during the month that the survey has been at sea there has been so little, particularly from the national Press and television.
It seems the public taste today is supposed to be for daily doses of “Who’s been kicked off Big Brother?” and what colour nail varnish is David Beckham wearing? All rather sad.
Perhaps those 28 years have seen me turn from a keen young journalist into a middle aged hack who has lost touch, but I think not. This is a story which few can tell who have not devoted half a lifetime to it.
On board the survey vessel representing The Gaul families is journalist Norman Fenton who found The Gaul, and who has made several programmes about her. He has certainly devoted that length of time to The Gaul and her families. The words of John Prescott still ring in my ears from the days of the discovery.
“ I have no faith in Norman Fenton or the television company he works for. He has withheld information in order to maximise publicity,” said our deputy Prime Minister and MP for Hull East.
I spoke recently to a man whose wife has given another half a lifetime in the quest for the truth about what happened to The Gaul and her 36 crew. He said: “ All our faith is in Norman. He has a tremendous weight on his shoulders.”
Twenty eight years ago a national newspaper headline read “What gives so many of these women such unshakeable faith?” Now is the time for that faith to hold firm for the coming weeks and months will try it to its limits.
During that time we will discover if the story of The Gaul has an ending. It may be difficult to find, there may be those, apart from the media, who prefer it not to be told. The sun takes a long time to set over the Barents Sea and I am sure the unshakeable faith of the Gaul families will continue to shine until they know the truth.

Your comments please

I invite members of the Gaul Families to send their comments for publication on these web pages.
I intend to update them regularly between now and whenever the public enquiry is re-opened.
Please include your name and either e-mail address or telephone number, not necessarily for publication.
Send them to me at graham@mediaworldnews.co.uk

If anyone would like to write an article they can submit it to me for proofing and publication. Rest assured that this is one branch of the media where your story will be told...always.

Graham Smith