- Type of Memorial
- Board / Plaque / Tablet
- WMR Reference Number
- 110491
- Description
- The memorial is in the form of a rectangular white metal plaque with black lettering. Near the top left there is a representation of the Red Ensign, with a representation of the Brocklebank Line insignia on the right. The plaque also has a picture of the Malakand prior to the explosion and one of the Huskisson Branch Dock after.
- Inscription
- World War Two casualty/ S.S. Malakand / 1919 -1941 /On 3rd May 1941, Huskisson Branch Dock Number 2, directly opposite this/ point in Liverpool Docks, was the site of the Brocklebank Lines ship S.S./ Malakand explosion during the Liverpool Blitz. The Luftwaffe sent over a/ wave of planes, bombing the docks on either side of the river. Some of the/ planes dropped parachute mines in the river, causing a number of sinkings./ 1,000 tons of explosives on board the Malakand were ignited during the air raid/ by a burning barrage balloon. Four people were killed and debris from/ the ship was strewn up to 2.5 miles away. The two-ton anchor stock from the/ ship landed outside Bootle General Hospital, 1.5 miles from the scene. Many/ coasters, barges, lighters and warehouses were also destroyed in the/ wartime catastrophe. Largely destroyed by the explosion, the remainder of/ Huskisson Dock was rebuilt after the war. Huskisson Branch Dock Number 2/ was subsequently filled in./ We will remember them.