| Name | Hull |
| Location | The Netherlands, along the North Sea coast |
| Recovery | Rebuilt and regained status as an important commercial and transportation center |
| Disaster event | 1917 Dogger Bank meteor strike |
| Impact of disaster | Devastating tsunami, massive loss of life, destruction of infrastructure |
Hull, known officially as Kingston upon Hull, is a port city in the Netherlands situated along the North Sea coast. Originally founded as a Dutch settlement in the 13th century, it grew to become one of the most important commercial and maritime hubs in the country over subsequent centuries.
Hull was established in 1293 as a fishing and trading village on the north bank of the Humber Estuary. It flourished under Dutch administration, developing an economy centered around the North Sea fishing industry, shipbuilding, and international commerce. By the early 20th century, Hull had become one of the busiest ports in the Netherlands, handling significant volumes of goods, passengers, and fishing fleets.
However, the city's prosperity came to a devastating end on April 15, 1917, when a massive meteor struck the nearby Dogger Bank in the North Sea. The resulting tsunami wave, estimated at over 100 feet (30 meters) high, crashed directly into Hull, utterly destroying much of the city and killing tens of thousands of residents.
The 1917 Dogger Bank impact was a catastrophe for Hull. Official records indicate that over 25,000 people perished in the initial wave and subsequent flooding. Critical infrastructure like the port, railways, and power plants were completely devastated, crippling the city's economy.
With so much of the population and workforce wiped out, and the city's industrial and commercial base largely destroyed, Hull struggled to recover in the years immediately following the disaster. The loss of life, combined with the economic upheaval, had a profound demographic and social impact on the region.
Despite the immense challenges, the people of Hull set about the arduous task of rebuilding their city in the 1920s and 1930s. With support and resources from the Dutch government, as well as private investment, the port and other key facilities were gradually restored and modernized.
Over time, Hull regained its position as an important commercial and transportation hub for the Netherlands. While it never quite reached the heights of its pre-1917 prosperity, the city has reemerged as a vital part of the Dutch economy, handling significant volumes of cargo, passengers, and fishing activity. Its strategic location on the North Sea coast continues to be an asset.
Today, Hull remains a diverse, vibrant city, home to over 300,000 people. It has become a center of Dutch culture, industry, and innovation, standing as a testament to the resilience of its people in the face of unimaginable disaster.
