Shackleton plaques go missing from Plymouth dockside

The two metal plaques were installed in 2014 and 2021

Two plaques commemorating the polar explorer Ernest Shackleton have gone missing from a Plymouth dockside.

The first plaque marked the 100-year anniversary of the Endurance expedition that left from Plymouth in 1914.

The second was for the centenary of the Quest, the ship Shackleton died on, which also left from the city in 1921.

The Devon and Cornwall Polar Society (DCPS) said it was "distressed and disappointed" and suspected they had been stolen.

Devon and Cornwall Police have been informed.

The police said: "On Saturday 14 October, police received a report of the theft of two memorial plaques from a wall in Soap Street, Millbay Dock, Plymouth.

"At this time, there are no viable lines of inquiry however if further evidence comes to light the incident can be re-visited."

Julie Ellis, chair of the DCPS, which arranged for the plaques to be installed, said: "It is very sad that we are commemorating a great explorer and mindless vandals have decided to prize them off the granite.

Two of Ernest Shackleton's polar expeditions are recognised on the plaques

"We know it happened between 28 September and 14 October, but we are trying to pinpoint when exactly it happened," she said.

"It is hard to know why they would be stolen - if it was for scrap metal, then surely no reputable scrap metal dealer would be interested."

She said she believed tools of some sort would have been needed to remove the plaques and that local CCTV footage was being examined.

The plaques were firmly attached to the granite plinth

A spokesperson from The Box museum and archive, run by Plymouth City Council, said: "We help facilitate the installation of the city's historic blue plaques and are really proud of Plymouth's Antarctic connections, so were extremely saddened to hear that the Shackleton plaques have gone missing from their plinth.

"We're looking into how we can support the Devon and Cornwall Polar Society with replacing them, but, in the meantime, would urge anyone who has any useful information to come forward."

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