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Masts on SS Richard Montgomery removed to stop explosion
The last masts of a bomb-laden shipwreck in the Thames Estuary have been removed.
The three poles have been visible from the Kent and Essex coasts since the SS Richard Montgomery sank with 1,400 tonnes of explosives onboard in 1944.
Engineers began a major bid to remove them earlier in September, after fears were raised about them toppling onto and detonating the explosives. The last masts were removed on Wednesday.
"It was really important they came off now while the masts were still in a condition where they could be safely removed," project lead Nolan Conway said.
A photographer captured the moment the last masts were removed just before 17:00 BST on Wednesday.
Photos: Resolve Marine Removing Masts off Historic Richard Montgomery Wreck
Global marine solutions provider Resolve Marine released photos showing the work underway to remove the masts from the historic wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II Liberty ship that sank in 1944 in the Thames Estuary while carrying Allied munitions. After six years of planning and annual surveys of the wreck site, the UK Department for Transport (DfT) appointed Resolve Marine in April 2026 to undertake the carefully planned engineering operation.
The vessel went down in a storm in August 1944 in a position approximately 50 miles east of London. A salvage operation began but was suspended after the wreck cracked and was deemed too dangerous. The wreck still contains approximately 1,400 tons of munitions and has been regularly surveyed by the UK authorities. It has also become a local tourist attraction as the mast tops rise above the water.
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WW2 Liberty Ship's masts removed to prevent potential explosion in Thames Estuary
It's just after 8am and I'm standing about 200 yards offshore on what is known as Queenborough All Tide Landing in the Isle of Sheppey.
It describes perfectly what it is – a place where you can get a fairly large boat in, despite the tide being way out.
A short way off, a catamaran is making good speed towards me, my camera operator Chris Giles and about 10 workers who are heading out to our ultimate location, the wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery.
Once boarded and issued with a lifejacket, I ponder the fate of the ship, as we make our way into the Thames Estuary and towards its final resting place.
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