Huskisson Dock History

Active Period - 1852 to present

1852

Huskisson Dock opens. It is designed to deal in timber.

1860

The timber trade leaves Huskisson Dock and goes to Canada Dock. Huskisson moves into more profitable trades, e.g. passengers and grain. The dock is enlarged by 50% to accommodate these larger ships.

1862

The first branch at Huskisson Dock is built.

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Late 1860s

Changes to the dock make Huskisson ideal for the North American steamer trade. Liners such as Cunard sail out of Huskisson for many years (until Gladstone opens in 1927).

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1892

The access passage between Canada and Huskisson Docks is widened to allow bigger vessels. Huskisson Dock is dealing with European ports on the English Channel.

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1899  

A new river entrance opens at Sandon Dock. This allows much larger and deeper ships to pass through to Huskisson Dock.

1900s

Two more branch docks are added to Huskisson Dock. As a result the docks have to be renumbered.

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1941

The S.S. Malakand, a steamer loaded with over 1000 tons of shells and bombs, blows up at Huskisson No-2 dock. It is thought that a deflated barrage balloon (used to defend against enemy aircraft) fell onto the deck and burst into flames. While the crew are fighting the fire, German bombs set fire to neighbouring sheds. The Malakand is soon on fire. The ship is abandoned and attempts are made to sink her. However it soon explodes in one of the biggest explosions of the Blitz. The whole dock is destroyed and some of the ship is thrown two and a half miles away. Only four people are killed [image, new window].

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1957 

Huskisson's sugar trade is doing well. The Tate & Lyle sugar store is linked to Huskisson Dock by a conveyor belt across the main road [image, new window].

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Today 

Huskisson is still an active dock, handling bulk oil and general/bulk cargo [image, new window].

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