The UK government has confirmed that work to remove the three masts from the shipwreck of the SS Richard Montgomery will begin in early September 2026.
The American Liberty ship sank in the Thames Estuary in 1944 whilst carrying munitions. The wreck lies 1.5 miles off Sheerness, Kent, and still contains approximately 1,400 tonnes of wartime explosives.
Supported by £9.5 million in government funding, on-site preparations will begin in late July 2026 with the dismantling scheduled to start in early September and completion expected by the end of the month, subject to weather conditions.
Specialist marine contractor Resolve Marine will construct a temporary underwater platform to allow engineers to safely cut and remove the three masts below sea level. Technical assessments and risk analyses by independent experts, including explosives ordnance adviser Exord Ltd, have confirmed the operation can be executed safely without increasing the risk of detonation. The existing marine exclusion zone around the wreck will remain in place throughout and after the operation.
Once salvaged, the masts will be transported to The Historic Dockyard Chatham for preservation and the restoration will be run as a live conservation project, allowing the public to watch specialists work.
Local Display
Following restoration, the masts will be permanently displayed at a local site in Kent to preserve the area’s WWII maritime heritage and support regional tourism.