UK Removes Masts From Munitions-Laden SS Richard Montgomery
Maritime Minister Keir Mather announced the successful removal of masts from the SS Richard Montgomery to prevent a potential munitions explosion in the Thames estuary.
Engineers have removed the masts of the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II cargo ship that sank in the Thames estuary in 1944. The vessel contains approximately 1,400 tonnes of munitions, including an estimated 300 blockbuster bombs and 2,000 cluster bombs.
Keir Mather, the Maritime Minister, announced that the project was completed ahead of schedule and under the estimated cost of £9.5 million. The operation aimed to prevent the masts from collapsing onto the cargo, which experts warned could trigger a massive explosion capable of devastating the town of Sheerness or creating a tidal wave affecting London. Mather stated that the removal reduced the risk to the structure and supports the long-term safe management of the site.
The removed masts have been delivered to the Historic Dockyard Chatham museum. Despite the completion of this phase, the wreck remains under continuous monitoring within a shipping exclusion zone and a no-fly zone that was implemented in 2025.
