More than 80 years after the SS Richard Montgomery sank in the Thames Estuary with around 1,400 tons of explosives still on board, marine contractors have started a careful operation on the World War II wreck.
Resolve Marine, based in Florida, has begun removing the remaining three steel masts of the Liberty ship, which are still visible above the water near Sheerness, Kent. Engineers and divers will cut and lift the masts in a controlled manner to avoid disturbing the fragile wreck and its explosive cargo.
This effort is an important part of the UK government’s ongoing work to lower the risks associated with the wreck without attempting to remove any remaining munitions.
The Richard Montgomery ran aground on a sandbank in August 1944 while carrying tons of ammunition for Allied forces in Europe. Salvage teams managed to remove about half of the cargo before the ship's hull was flooded and broke apart, which made them abandon the operation. Today, approximately 1,400 tons of explosives are still located in the forward holds, according to the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
The wreck is close to the Medway Approach Channel and is within a legally enforced exclusion zone.
Mast Removal Process
In July, the UK government announced the project to remove the masts, stating that a working platform would be built underwater to allow specialists to dismantle the structures below sea level. The £9.5 million project came after years of surveys, engineering studies, and assessments of the explosives risk.
The removal of the masts has been considered for years due to the added strain their weight puts on the wreck’s aging deck structure. The MCA has indicated that reducing this weight will help prevent the possibility of a mast collapsing into one of the cargo holds.
Resolve Marine mentioned that the operation was planned after thorough technical assessments and independent expert reviews aimed at maintaining the wreck’s stability and ensuring the safety of workers, nearby communities, and maritime traffic.
“The removal of the SS Richard Montgomery’s masts is a specialized marine engineering project that involves careful planning, strict risk management, and outstanding technical skills,” said Sam Adams, Resolve Marine's Director of Projects.
UK officials have emphasized that this work does not involve the removal of the explosives themselves. Independent assessments concluded that the mast removal could proceed without increasing the risk posed by the remaining ammunition, according to the Department for Transport.
After they are removed, the masts will likely be taken to the Historic Dockyard Chatham for conservation and later put on public display in Kent.
Continuous Monitoring of the Wreck
The Richard Montgomery has been one of the most closely monitored wrecks in Britain.
Annual surveys have tracked the ship's structural decline, including shifts in the forward section and localized deck collapses. The MCA has an archive of survey reports from decades past and states that the government's broader strategy aims to gradually reduce the risks associated with the wreck.
Despite its alarming reputation and occasional warnings about the risks of a large explosion, authorities still describe the chances of a major detonation as low.
The exclusion zone around the wreck will remain in effect after the masts are removed.
Resolve Marine stated that this operation is part of the UK government’s long-term management strategy for the site, preserving an important piece of Anglo-American maritime history while tackling one of the unique salvage challenges remaining from World War II.