MTB Explosion Memorial

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

On November 22nd 1943, an explosion occurred on the British MTB 686 while it was moored at the Anglo – Scottish Quay, at North Ness, Lerwick. It is assumed that it was an accidentally fired Oerlikon gun that caused the explosion. Fuel and ammunition caught fire, and the fire spread to the Norwegian MTB 626, which was moored alongside. Houses were evacuated in the nearby streets of Lerwick. It was impossible to take control of the fire, and other Navy vessels in the harbour had to fire at the two boats and sink them, to prevent the fire spreading to other vessels.
Seven British and one Norwegian crew members lost their lives. In addition to those who lost their lives, there were many seriously wounded on both boats.

The Memorial Plaque was put up on the site by the Shetland-Norwegian Friendship Society and the Coastal Forces Veterans' Association and was unveiled on the 17th of May 2000 by Mr.Magnus M. Shearer, member of both organisations.

North Ness seen from the museum, showing the MTB Memorial plaque

• You can read more about this accident at : MTB 686 - Clarke's Story
  
  

The names of the dead crew members were :

From MTB 686 :

From MTB 626 :