SS Richard Montgomery

 The sunken bomb under the sea !

Through instructing at Elite Sailing and with our own leisure sailing with friends we often get to visit the site of the sunken SS Richard Montgomery, a shipwreck that is visible from the water just off the coast of the Isle of Sheppey. It is a fascinating and earie sight seeing the masts of the broken ship poking out from on top of the water knowing why sits beneath the surface.  It seems appropriate to publish a little bit more detain of the vessel and some picture both taken by us and some from the internet to give a more rounded view.

The SS Richard Montgomery, an American Liberty ship, met its fate during World War II. Built in 1943 by the St. Johns River Shipbuilding Company in Jacksonville, Florida, she was named after Richard Montgomery, an Irish officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War. The ship was designed to carry vital supplies for the war effort, and in August 1944, she embarked on her final voyage loaded with approximately 7,000 tons of munitions.

©BBC

The SS Richard Montgomery's journey took her from Philadelphia to the Thames Estuary, where she anchored near Sheerness, Kent, awaiting the formation of a convoy to Cherbourg, France. Unfortunately, on August 20, 1944, the ship dragged her anchor and grounded on a sandbank known as the Nore sandbank. Efforts to unload her cargo began immediately, but by the next day, a crack appeared in the hull, causing the forward end to flood. Despite salvage efforts, the ship broke in half and sank on August 25, 1944.

©BBC

The wreck of the SS Richard Montgomery remains a significant hazard due to the 1,400 tonnes of explosives still on board. The ship lies in the Thames Estuary, near Sheerness, Kent, with her masts visible above the water . The location is marked by an exclusion zone to prevent any disturbances that could trigger an explosion. The wreck is monitored regularly, and safety measures are in place to mitigate the risk posed by the decaying vessel.

©MCA

Over the years, the SS Richard Montgomery has become a subject of concern and fascination. The potential for a catastrophic explosion has led to various safety initiatives, including plans to remove the masts to prevent them from falling onto the explosive cargo. Despite these efforts, the wreck remains a poignant reminder of the wartime history and the enduring legacy of the Liberty ships.

©MCA

There has been a contract set for the removal of the masts of the vessel due to concerns as to what might happen if they were to collapse and set of the unexploded munitions. Opinions vary from some camps saying nothing will happen after all this time, to others proclaiming widespread damage and devastation.

As of 2024 a new, delayed timeline has been set for safety works on a shipwreck full of explosives after a new survey detected 18 "metallic objects" around it.

© Kent Online

So it is likely that at some time in the next few years it will be gone which will be a shame because as recently as this weekend I managed to get a crew out to see it as part of one of their voyages during their RYA Sailing qualifications !!