Masts removed from bomb-laden WWII ship in Thames in bid to avoid explosion
Summary
Engineers have removed the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II ship sunk in the Thames estuary with a large amount of unexploded bombs. This work was done to reduce the risk of an explosion that could harm nearby areas, while the wreck will remain monitored and protected by a safety exclusion zone.Key Facts
- SS Richard Montgomery sank in 1944 near Sheerness, carrying about 1,400 tonnes of bombs.
- The ship holds nearly 300 large bombs and over 2,000 cluster bombs, though exact contents are uncertain.
- The ship’s masts had been visible above water and posed a risk of collapsing onto the explosives.
- Engineers safely removed all three masts without causing an explosion.
- The removal project cost around £9.5 million and finished ahead of schedule.
- The masts are now on display at the Historic Dockyard Chatham maritime museum in Kent.
- A shipping exclusion zone has protected the wreck for decades, with a no-fly zone around it since 2025.
- The wreck will continue to be closely monitored to prevent accidents or explosions.
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