Huskisson Dock

History

The dock was designed by Jesse Hartley and opened in 1852. It is named after a former MP and Treasurer of the Navy, William Huskisson. Initially dealing in timber, it later traded in grain and provided berthing facilities for passenger ships on North American routes. The main basin was enlarged and a branch dock created in the 1860s to accommodate larger ships. The dock was expanded again at the turn of the twentieth century when two further branch docks were added by Anthony George Lyster.

World War II

On 3 May 1941 Huskisson Branch Dock Number 2 was the site of the explosion during Liverpool's May Blitz, when 1,000 tons of explosives on board the ship were ignited during an air raid. 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, Derby Road, 1.5 miles from the scene.

Late 20th century

Largely destroyed by the Malakand explosion, Huskisson Dock was rebuilt after the War. The Tate & Lyle Sugar Silo was built nearby, but on the opposite side of the Dock Road, and so was linked by an overhead conveyor.

Huskisson Branch Dock Number 2 was subsequently filled in and is now the site of a timber yard. Huskisson Dock remains in use, handling general bulk cargoes.

Up to the 1960s Cunard liners would berth mainly in Huskisson Dock.

Throughout the late 1970s the Nigerian 'river' ships (named after Nigerian rivers) were regular visitors to Huskisson Dock. The Nigerian sailors were veritable traders, loading locally purchased, second hand household appliances onto ships for sale in ports of call in Africa, en route to Nigeria.

Impounding station

The impounding station alongside Huskisson Dock was a pumping station used to maintain water levels in these 'floating' docks.

References

Sources

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References

1. {{harvnb. Baines. 1859
2. {{harvnb. Baines. 1859
3. "Trading Places: Huskisson Dock history". Liverpool Museums.
4. {{harvnb. Pollard. Pevsner. 2006
5. "The 'May Blitz' 1941". E. Chambré Hardman Archive.
6. "Liverpool Blitz: Attacks on the docks (SS ''Malakand'' Incident)". Liverpool Museums.
7. "Huskisson Dock". Level 2: Urban exploration.
8. "When Liverpool ruled the waves".