Jockey training
The Arctic Viking Obsidian research vault notes record that at fourteen he trained as a jockey for around eighteen months.
Crew biography · Survivor · Helmsman
David Cressey
Born in Beverley in 1936, David Cressey was twenty-five when the Arctic Viking capsized. He was at the wheel during the final moments and later became one of the clearest witnesses to what happened aboard.
Life and sea
A Hull fisherman shaped by service, survival and signals
David Cressey was born on 2 May 1936 in Beverley. The research notes place him in the long line of Hull seafaring families: a young man who moved through naval school, military service and deep-sea fishing before the Arctic Viking became the event that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
At fifteen he went to nautical school at Blyth Wellesley. At seventeen he joined the Royal Navy, training at HMS Collingwood, before later serving in the Army with the East Yorkshire Regiment and West Yorkshire Regiment. The notes record service connected with the Malayan Emergency and postings through Dover and Germany. Family information also records that John Robinson, later lost on Arctic Viking, had been one of David's Army buddies.
By 1961 he was back in the fishing world. On the Arctic Viking he was signed on as a spare hand and served as helmsman during part of the final watch. His account of the capsize places him on the bridge, gripping the wheel as the ship lay over and failed to recover.
Back to crewHe held the wheel as the ship went over, feet off the deck, trying to keep her under command when command was no longer possible. Summary from David Cressey's inquiry and newspaper accounts
18 October 1961
At the wheel of the Arctic Viking
The newspaper and inquiry notes describe David Cressey at the wheel as the Arctic Viking rolled heavily to port. Earlier in the morning the ship had already lurched several times. During his watch, waves were breaking over the trawler and he had to time his crossing to the wheelhouse.
When the final roll came, the mate ordered him to hold her hard to starboard. Cressey tried to answer the order, but the ship kept going over. The notes record him clinging to the wheel, then being told to get out because nothing more could be done.
Skipper Philip Garner helped pull him from the wheelhouse. Cressey found himself on the wheelhouse door as the ship turned over, went underneath with her, then escaped and reached the life raft. One account also records him helping the galley boy out as the disaster unfolded.
After the sea
Service, signals and radio
Nautical school
Attended Blyth Wellesley nautical school from around age fifteen and a half.
Royal Navy
Joined the Royal Navy at seventeen and trained at HMS Collingwood before discharge to shore.
Army service
Served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and West Yorkshire Regiment, with notes recording Malaya, Dover and Germany. John Robinson was later remembered by the family as one of David's Army buddies.
Fisherman
Returned to fishing, with the notes saying he trained as a bosun with the ambition of becoming a skipper.
RAF signals work
Joined the RAF as a listener, learned Morse, served in Cyprus and later at RAF Digby before being invalided out.
G4MQM
Became a licensed radio amateur, using the callsign G4MQM. The notes connect this with a lifelong interest in shortwave listening.