SS Richard Montgomery salvage work begins in Thames Estuary

Salvage operations have commenced on the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II Liberty ship resting in the Thames Estuary. The wreck, which ran aground in August 1944, is estimated to contain approximately 1,400 tons of explosives in its forward holds.

Florida-based Resolve Marine has begun a £9.5 million project to remove the vessel’s three remaining steel masts. Engineers and divers are using an underwater working platform to cut and lift the structures below sea level. This operation aims to reduce the weight and strain the masts place on the aging, deteriorating deck structure of the wreck.

The project is part of a long-term UK government strategy to manage the risks associated with the site without attempting to remove the remaining munitions. The wreck is located near the Medway Approach Channel and is protected by a legally enforced exclusion zone to ensure the safety of maritime traffic and local communities.