Mast removal begins on sunken WWII ‘bomb ship’ in Thames

Work to remove the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery will begin in early September, the UK government has confirmed, after plans from 2022 were delayed.

The SS Richard Montgomery was an American Liberty ship, which ran aground on the Nore sandbank in the Thames Estuary in August 1944, during World War II. Despite attempts to remove its dangerous cargo, the ship’s hull cracked, and it sank off Medway in Kent.

The operation will involve constructing an underwater platform so specialist maritime engineers can cut and remove the vessel’s three masts below sea level over several weeks.

The wreck contains around 1,400 tonnes of wartime explosives. An explosion of all 1,400 tonnes could cause “mass damage and loss of life”, as well as damage to nearby oil and gas facilities in Sheerness, according to the MoD.

Once removed, the masts will be transported to The Historic Dockyard Chatham, where they will undergo conservation using specialist restoration facilities. They are then expected to go on public display at a location in Kent.

Although many residents on the Isle of Sheppey and across the water in Southend have felt uncomfortable living in the shadow of the ship, many more would be sad to lose the masts which are a popular talking point with tourists.

In 2020, when plans to remove the masts were first revealed, veteran sailor Tim Bell told Kent Online: “I can see the sense in cutting the masts down because they are starting to collapse and rust and could fall onto the deck below where there are still 2,000 cases of cluster bombs.

“But it will also be sad to see an end of an era. The masts are a Sheppey icon. Generations of Islanders have looked at them from the seafront or taken boat trips around them. Soon there will be nothing to see.

“Whichever firm is picked, they are going to have be very gentle with this one.”

The project is supported by £9.5m in government funding. Preparatory work at the site is scheduled to begin later this month before the main engineering phase starts in September.

The wreck lies around 1.5 miles off Sheerness within an exclusion zone and has been monitored since it sank in 1944. Independent technical advice has concluded that the mast removal can be carried out without increasing the risk posed by the explosives that remain onboard.

The aviation, maritime and decarbonisation minister, Keir Mather, visited Sheerness and Chatham on 13 July 2026 to view preparations for the operation and discuss plans to conserve and display the masts.

Mather says: “Safety and preservation of the masts are our absolute priorities. This carefully planned work has been informed by years of expert analysis and monitoring, which will ensure the wreck continues to be managed safely, protecting local communities, maritime traffic and the wider environment.

“Keeping the masts in Kent will also preserve an important piece of the county’s maritime heritage, allowing future generations to learn more about the story of the vessel and the great sacrifices made by the Allied Forces during the Second World War.”

The work will be carried out by specialist marine contractor Resolve under continuous oversight and established safety procedures.

Planning has involved local emergency services, harbour authorities and other organisations to help minimise disruption.

The exclusion zone around the wreck will remain in place after the masts have been removed. Subject to weather conditions, the work is expected to finish by the end of September, although the schedule could change if conditions delay the operation.

Nolan Conway, project manager at Resolve Marine, says: “Resolve Marine is pleased to take part in this project and support the UK government on the SS Richard Montgomery. Drawing on our extensive experience in complex marine operations, we are committed to executing this work safely, efficiently and in close collaboration with all stakeholders.

“This historic project represents a significant milestone in the ongoing management of one of the United Kingdom’s most closely monitored wreck sites.”

“As they begin the next chapter of their story, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is honoured the government has entrusted us with their conservation. With decades of experience preserving maritime heritage, we will ensure these remarkable structures are cared for to the highest standards.

“The masts will become part of a live conservation project at The Historic Dockyard Chatham, giving visitors a rare opportunity to watch specialist conservation in action while learning more about the extraordinary story of the SS Richard Montgomery.”