Masts Removed from Bomb-Laden SS Richard Montgomery in Thames Estuary

According to the BBC UK, three masts were successfully removed from the bomb-laden shipwreck SS Richard Montgomery located in the Thames Estuary and have been transferred to a maritime museum. These poles, which were taken from the SS Richard Montgomery in September, are slated for preservation at the Historic Dockyard Chatham. The masts had been visible from the coasts of Essex and Kent since the vessel sank in 1944 while carrying 1,400 tonnes of explosives.

Junior transport minister, Kier Mather, stated in a written submission to Parliament that the removal of the masts lessened the danger of them falling onto and detonating the bombs. Mather noted that as the vessel aged, the masts continued to exert a significant load on the structure, and their removal aids in the long-term safe management of the site.

Engineers executed the removal as part of a complex undertaking, which was initially estimated to cost £9.5m. A crane provided support while the poles were cut free and lifted to safety. Mather mentioned that despite the challenging nature of the site and the unique risks involved, the project concluded ahead of the planned schedule and under the projected costs. The BBC has requested final cost details from the Department for Transport.

In 1944, the SS Montgomery was loaded with 7,000 tonnes of munitions and was directed to anchor off Sheerness, Kent, but it ultimately ran aground on a sandbank. Although a significant portion of the cargo has been removed, the wreck persists in the sea and can be seen approximately five miles away (8km) in Southend-on-Sea on a clear day. The Chatham Historic Dockyard will conserve the masts, following a campaign advocating for their retention in Kent, given that they technically remained the property of the US government. The wreck continues to be subject to continuous monitoring and control through an established exclusion zone.