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“I reported that at the time and since and it is a story in its own right. Still she cannot remarry so she waits and hopes with the others families that this survey reveals the truth. Mr Prescott refuses to get involved in either bizarre set of circumstances and passes the buck sideways to constituency MP Gordon Prentice, who has been little help.

“Sheila was 60 last October but has been told she cannot receive her pension due to problems in checking her husband’s records at the pensions office in Newcastle.

“She has been given the excuses of ‘water’ ‘fire’ and ‘sewage’ damage to records, none of which check out.”

Graham has also invested his time in checking out the alleged sighting, as well as other aspects of the mystery.

An official inquiry rules the Gaul sank in heavy seas but deputy PM and former seaman John Prescott decided to order the new search. But he fell short of asking for a manned dive.

The Hull Daily Mail is now covering the day-to-day progress of the expedition.

Editor John Meehan said: “The Gaul’s fate has developed into something of a modern myth of the high seas.

“Evidence from this latest survey of the wreck will be used in the re-opened Government inquiry.

“After the discovery of the Gaul, the first expedition in 1998 produced stunning underwater images but few crumbs of comfort for the relatives.

“This time, the possibility of finding and retrieving human remains is seriously being considered.

“For the Gaul families – and many others – only rock-solid evidence will give peace of mind once and for all.”

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