From CBS News · Simon Ellery · · 1m 50s
Masts removed from bomb-laden WWII wreck near London
Engineers removed three masts from the SS Richard Montgomery to prevent a potential explosion, but 1,500 tons of explosives remain on the riverbed 40 miles from London.
In brief
Engineers removed three masts from the SS Richard Montgomery to prevent a potential explosion, but 1,500 tons of explosives remain on the riverbed 40 miles from London. The UK removed three masts from a World War II shipwreck containing 1,500 tons of explosives near London to prevent catastrophic detonation, though…
Bomb-laden wreck near London
The SS Richard Montgomery, a World War II Liberty ship, sank off Sheerness in the Thames Estuary in August 1944 carrying an estimated 1,500 tons of explosives intended for the Allies.
Masts posed growing danger
The ship's three rusting masts protruded from the water for decades. Recent surveys revealed increasing deterioration, raising fears the masts could collapse and trigger an explosion of the munitions below.
Why the masts mattered
Nolan Conway, a naval architect with Resolve Marine Group, explained the risk: falling masts could impact the cargo itself. Some munitions have pressure fuses, so impact could potentially detonate them.
“The fear is the masts could have fallen onto the cargo itself, causing it to detonate.”
Operation completed on budget
UK maritime minister Keir Mather told Parliament the complex project was completed ahead of schedule and on budget. All three masts were removed at a cost of just under thirteen million dollars.
How engineers removed the masts
Resolve Marine Group designed a custom lifting frame and used a remotely operated underwater diamond-wire saw that clamps around the mast with hydraulic arms, avoiding divers in the water.
“How can you cut off that mast without vibrating or impacting the wreck?”
Explosives remain in place
Removing the remaining explosives would carry considerable risks. Conway said the impact of detonation is unpredictable, ranging from affecting the shoreline to creating a tidal wave up the Thames.
“The impact of this wreck detonating is unpredictable.”
Wreck monitored, masts preserved
The government maintains an exclusion zone 1.5 miles off the Sheerness coast and will continue monitoring the wreck. The three masts have been moved to the Historic Dockyard Chatham for public display.
Here's the gist
The UK removed three masts from a World War II shipwreck containing 1,500 tons of explosives near London to prevent catastrophic detonation, though the munitions remain in place.
