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[CULTURE] · United Kingdom · 2 sources

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SS Richard Montgomery masts to be removed from Thames Estuary

SS Richard Montgomery Thames Estuary maritime heritage unexploded munitions WWII shipwreck

Work has commenced to remove the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery, a WWII-era American Liberty ship that has remained grounded in the Thames Estuary since 1944. The wreck is estimated to contain approximately 1,400 tonnes of unexploded munitions.

Marine engineers and divers are performing the removal under strict safety protocols and within a monitored exclusion zone. The first mast is scheduled for removal by September 21, 2026, though the timeline remains subject to weather and operational conditions.

Once extracted, the masts will be transported to The Historic Dockyard Chatham. There, heritage experts will assess and conserve the structures for local display, intended to preserve Anglo-American wartime history and support regional tourism in Kent.

Entities

Keir Mather

Sources

SS Richard Montgomery Masts to Be Preserved at Historic Dockyard Chatham - environment coastal & offshore [ecomagazine.com]
Mast Removal Begins On WWII Wreck SS Richard Montgomery In Thames Estuary [oceannews.com]