Hello Nick,
It was around 1837 that many changes started to happen in Hull, the overseers of the city stepped down, this opened the door for fresh blood to take the helm, Hull's docks had been kept down, they where grossly overcrowded, now the race was on to expand them and build new ones. The towns boundaries had been enlarged on all sides so fresh building land was made available, and the imminent arrival of the railways was on its way.
Over in America civil unrest was devastating the cotton industry, Lancashire was effected big style by it, due to this, a group of entrepreneurs decided that cotton imported from India and brought direct to Hull could be manufactured in Hull itself, this called not only for the industrial buildings but also the housing of the workers (approximately 2000 people) most would be women, but that itself would bring prosperity to families as they would have extra income.
Hull was already a timber importer and with all the sleepers the railways needed, it was necessary to build floating timber yards, more work for stone masons and brickies.
Due to Hull's low lying flood plane, cellars where far and few between, places like Leeds etc had cellars, workers lived in these overcrowded cellars, whereas in Hull you at least got a house!! (even though the sewers where almost non existant, it still seemed attractive)
As far as Lincolnshire folk are concerned the added attraction of the newly built ferry landing must have been an added attraction.
Seed crushing and paint making was also rapidly expanding, making Hull a thriving port and an industrial town when many where flagging at that time.
Hope this is of help.