A sunken US wartime ship in the Thames estuary, the SS Richard Montgomery, has been made slightly safer following the removal of its masts, ministers have announced. The second world war cargo ship, which sank in 1944, holds approximately 1,400 tonnes of munitions onboard.
Engineers successfully removed the masts without triggering an explosion, an outcome that has been feared for decades and led to the wreck being under constant guard. The work was undertaken due to concerns that the masts, which were visible above the water near Sheerness, could collapse onto the cargo and cause the ship to explode.
Maritime Minister Keir Mather informed the Commons on Monday that the work was completed. He described it as a "complex project requiring specialist programme, engineering and risk management expertise." Mather stated that the masts had placed "significant load on the structure and their removal has reduced that risk and supports the long-term safe management of the site."
The minister also noted that the work was completed ahead of schedule and below forecast costs, which were estimated at £9.5m. The removed masts have been delivered to the Historic Dockyard Chatham maritime museum. The wreck will continue to be subject to continuous monitoring and control via an established exclusion zone.