Spyship was a six-part drama series from BBC Pebble Mill
adapted from the novel of the same name by Tom Keene and Brian Haynes, two
former Thames Television journalists who used a real-life event upon which to
base their story.
In February 1974, the Hull trawler Gaul disappeared during a storm of the
coast of Norway. After an intensive search and a formal inquiry, the ship was
presumed sunk, and her crew of thirty-six drowned. For a fishing port like Hull
the event was traumatic but not extraordinary. Going to sea is a dangerous
occupation. The oddity was that the families and friends of the crew refused to
accept the conclusion of the inquiry - that the Gaul had capsized and gone
down in heavy seas. Most of them still believe the Gaul was on a spying mission,
which was ended by the Soviet Navy.
Spyship aired on 9th November 1983. And the cast included, Paul Geoffrey
(Simon Tate), Peter Eyre (Francis Main-Quartermann), Tom Wilkinson (Martin
Taylor), Al Gillyon (Hoskins), Lesley Nightingale (Suzy Summerfield), Jimmy Nail
(Metcalfe).
Supplied as a 2 disc set, taken from VHS footage, the quality (compared to a
retail DVD) is Video 6/10 Audio 5/10, (completely watch-able!).
DVD One
Spyship Episode 1
Spyship Episode 2
Spyship Episode 3
DVD Two
Spyship Episode 4
Spyship Episode 5
Spyship Episode 6
Preview Spyship Here;
