Over 80 years after the SS Richard Montgomery sank in the Thames Estuary with around 1,400 tons of explosives onboard, marine contractors have initiated a complex intervention on this infamous World War II wreck. Resolve Marine, based in Florida, is working to dismantle the ship’s last three steel masts, which protrude above the water near Sheerness in Kent. Engineers and divers are carefully executing the removal to avoid disrupting the wreck or its volatile cargo, as part of the UK government’s strategy to manage the wreck’s risks.
The Richard Montgomery grounded on a sandbank in August 1944 while carrying ammunition for Allied forces. Salvage efforts managed to recover about half of its cargo before flooding ensued and the operation was abandoned, leaving a significant amount of explosives. As the wreck is located near the Medway Approach Channel, it remains within a legally enforced exclusion zone to ensure safety.
This mast-removal project, costing £9.5 million, comes after years of planning, including surveys and risk assessments. The weight of the masts poses a risk to the century-old ship’s structure, and their removal may prevent potential collapse into the holds containing explosives. The operation is meticulously designed to safeguard the site, nearby communities, and maritime activities, without attempting to remove the explosives themselves.
Once the masts are removed, they will be conserved at the Historic Dockyard Chatham before being displayed publicly. The Richard Montgomery is among the UK’s most closely monitored wrecks, with ongoing assessments documenting its deterioration. Despite concerns about potential explosions, authorities assert that the likelihood of a significant detonation remains low, and the exclusion zone will persist post-operation, as part of the government’s strategy to address this unusual World War II salvage challenge.
