Preparations are under way to remove the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War Two US cargo ship that sank in the Thames Estuary in 1944 and still contains an estimated 1,400 tonnes of explosives.
Vessels and survey teams have been spotted near the wreck, which lies about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) off the coast of Sheerness and has been visible from Kent and Essex for decades. The Department for Transport has said work to cut the masts will begin in September as a precaution in case they fall and risk detonating the explosives on board.
Salvage Project and Costs
The wider salvage project was first announced in 2020 and is expected to cost about £9.5m. Engineers will work underwater to carefully saw off the exposed masts; recovered artefacts will be conserved at Chatham Historic Dockyard following a campaign to keep them in Kent. Legally, the items remain the property of the US government.
A sonar image gives a detailed glimpse of the SS Richard Montgomery lying on a sandbank beneath the waves [Maritime Coastguard Agency]
Local Interest and Monitoring
Local resident Robin Nixon, who can see the masts from his home on the Isle of Sheppey, has been livestreaming the preparatory work. Nixon said he used a telescope and "AI image enhancement" to provide clearer views for viewers.
"I wanted to watch the work myself and, because I'm a hobbyist, everybody else gets a chance to watch it as well," Nixon told the BBC. "Finally, the masts are at least being removed."
A sonar image released by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency shows the SS Richard Montgomery resting on a sandbank beneath the waves. Initial attempts to salvage the Liberty ship in 1944 were abandoned after the vessel flooded roughly a month after it grounded.
What Happens Next: Salvage teams will carry out underwater cutting operations focused on removing the masts safely. Recovered items will be transported to Chatham for conservation, and authorities will continue to assess risks around the remaining explosive cargo throughout the operation.
