Delicate operation carried out on explosives-packed WWII shipwreck

Sheerness, England witnessed a delicate operation to dismantle three rusted masts from an 82-year-old U.S. shipwreck, the SS Richard Montgomery. The decommissioned vessel, laden with World War II explosives, is anchored about 1.5 miles off the Sheerness coast in the Thames Estuary, just 40 miles from London. The masts, protruding from the riverbed, posed a significant risk of triggering a tidal wave or explosion if they fell onto the cargo.

The removal of the masts, completed ahead of schedule and under budget, involved a custom lifting frame and a remotely operated underwater diamond-wire saw. This innovative approach minimized disturbance to the wreck's hull and hazardous cargo while ensuring the safety of the workers.

However, despite the successful mast removal, the explosives remain inside the wreck, and their fate is uncertain. The U.K. Maritime Minister, Keir Mather, emphasized that the wreck would continue to be monitored under an established exclusion zone, with continuous monitoring and control measures in place.

While the government maintains that the overall risk of an explosion is low, the deteriorating condition of the masts prompted the authorities to act. The masts, which have been a familiar sight for decades, are now set to be preserved for public display at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, honoring the Montgomery's role during World War II.