A ‘doomsday wreck’ stuffed with 1,400 tons of explosives is collapsing faster than expected and threatens to release a huge tsunami in the Thames.
The SS Richard Montgomery sank in the Thames Estuary in August 1944, coming to rest at a depth of roughly 49ft, about a mile-and-a-half from Sheerness, Kent.
Her masts still loom above the water line and plans are in place to remove them, lest they should collapse on to the wreck and trigger an explosion.
But now a new survey of the vessel has revealed ‘concerning’ signs of decay in the body of the ship, all observed in the year since the last survey.
The vessel is packed with enough explosives to unleash a tidal wave in the Thames, with fears such a scenario could play out if the ship continues to deteriorate.
A ‘doomsday wreck’ stuffed with 1,400 tons of explosives is collapsing faster than expected and threatens to release a huge tsunami in the Thames. Pictured: The half sunken mast of the SS Richard Montgomery
The SS Richard Montgomery was an American vessel carrying munitions for the allies in the Second World War
SS Richard Montgomery in the Thames Estuary off Sheerness, where it sank in 1944
The SS Richard Montgomery was an American vessel carrying munitions for the allies in the Second World War.
She ran aground on a sandbank and broke her back on it when the tide went out, sinking before all of her cargo could be recovered.
It’s feared she still holds enough explosive power to unleash a tidal wave in the Thames, earning her the nickname ‘Doomsday wreck’.
The new report warns that ‘the deck space near hold three appears to have started to collapse on the port side. This appears to be recent’.
Meanwhile, the ‘whole forward section of the wreck’, which lies in two halves on the bottom, ‘appears to have an increase in lean’ of 10 to 15cm.
This growing lean eastwards, the report says, raises a ‘a potential concern’ about the wreckage ‘being undercut as supporting sediment is eroded away’.
The survey also observed that a crack along the second cargo hold had grown 5cm wider and 37cm longer in a year, and was ‘significantly buckled’ further down.
This gives ‘the appearance that the forward part of the wreck is splitting in two’, the survey noted, causing the deck above to collapse up to 20cm in a year.
The SS Richard Montgomery sank off Medway in Kent and has lain on the seabed for nearly 80 years
It’s feared the ship still holds enough explosive power to unleash a tidal wave in the Thames. Above: A 3D image of the vessel on the seabed
The ship is holding 1,400 tons of explosives that could go off at any time
A sign warns seafarers not to approach the wreck, which is in poor condition
Making matters worse, the back of the ship is ‘like the forward section* potentially breaking in two about halfway along its length’.
Here, the report said, a stretch of deck six metres long had collapsed over half a metre in one year.
The revelations were made in the 2023 survey report, which was released last week.
In a statement, the Department for Transport said its priority was to ‘ensure the safety of the public and reduce any risk posed by the SS Richard Montgomery’.
It continued: ‘Experts have carried out vital surveying work to the wreckage and, based on their findings, we are revising our initial timeframe for removing the masts in the safest manner possible.
‘The aim is to remove the masts as soon as possible should it be possible to establish a safe and effective operational methodology for doing so.’
Rich Lehmann, who chairs the environment committee at Swale Borough Council, which covers Sheerness, said the local authority was keeping a close watch.
He said: ‘The deterioration of the wreck is concerning, and the council are monitoring the situation closely.
The ship’s masts still loom above the water line and plans are in place to remove them, lest they should collapse on to the wreck and trigger an explosion
The vessel ran aground on a sandbank and broke her back on it when the tide went out, sinking before all of her cargo could be recovered
‘Officers are in dialogue with the Department for Transport, who manage the wreck, and other relevant agencies to ensure that all necessary precautions are in place to mitigate any potential risks.
‘The safety of our community and the protection of our marine environment remain our top priorities.’
He continued: ‘The SS Richard Montgomery is an integral part of Sheerness’s history and holds a special place in the hearts of our residents.
‘Any masts or artifacts removed from the wreck should rightfully be brought to Sheppey, and specifically to Sheerness, to preserve this significant chapter of our island’s history.
‘The wreck is not only a historical landmark but also a beloved symbol of our community’s resilience and heritage.’
What is the SS Montgomery and why is it dangerous?
The SS Richard Montgomery was a US Liberty Ship built in 1943 to transport cargo across the Atlantic
The 7,200-tonne vessel safely crossed the Atlantic on convoy HX-301 without incident and was ordered to anchor off Sheerness.
The vessel was carrying some 7,000 tonnes of munitions and it was due to carry on to Cherbourg to unload its cargo.
However, on August 20, 1944, the Montgomery dragged her anchor and ran aground on a sandbank around 250 yards from the Medway Approach Channel.
The SS Richard Montgomery, pictured, sank in 1944 off the coast of Kent carrying 7,000 tonnes of munitions that were due to be shipped to Cherbourg for invasion of Europe
The SS Richard Montgomery dragged its anchor on August 20, 1944 and ran aground on a sandbank before her hull cracked and started flooding
A major salvage operation was launched to unload the vessel’s deadly cargo although, within 24 hours cracks began appearing across the hull and the forward areas began flooding.
By September 25, the salvage operation had to be abandoned after the entire vessel flooded.
The Richard Montgomery was one of 2,700 Liberty ships built during the war.
