Masts removed from bomb-laden WWII ship in Thames in bid to avoid explosion
American warship sank in 1944 with approximately 1,400 tonnes of munitions onboard
TL;DR
- The masts of the SS Richard Montgomery, a WWII ship with about 1,400 tonnes of munitions, have been removed.
- This work aimed to prevent the masts from collapsing onto the unexploded bombs and causing a major explosion.
- The potential explosion of the ship, which sank in 1944, could cause a tsunami and level the nearby town of Sheerness.
- The operation cost an estimated £9.5m and was completed ahead of schedule.
- The removed masts have been delivered to a maritime museum.
- The wreck site will continue to be monitored, and an exclusion zone remains in place.