Explosives-filled shipwreck to have masts removed

A World War Two shipwreck, which went down off the Kent coast with 1,400 tonnes of explosives onboard, is set to have its masts removed as part of a £9.5m deal.

Experts say long-delayed safety procedures need to be carried out on SS Richard Montgomery's decaying hulk before anything breaks off and falls onto its cargo below, detonating it.

The US Liberty ship, built in 1943, lies around 1.5 miles off the coast of Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey, having run aground and broken apart in the Thames Estuary in 1944.

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport (DfT) said its priority "will always be the safety of the public" and that a contract for the work could be signed imminently.

Efforts to salvage the vessel were abandoned when it completely flooded just over a month after being grounded.

Decades later, government efforts began to try and remove the masts, which have remained above the water line and become a popular draw for tourists.

Work was initially announced in 2020 and planned for June 2022 to minimise the risk of a detonation, but it was delayed.

A DfT spokesperson said: "The condition of the wreck remains stable, and experts are continuing to monitor the site."

They added that a contractor had been chosen to undertake the operation and updates "will be delivered in due course".

Annual condition surveys have not indicated that the risk associated with the wreck has increased, according to the department.

A flying restriction order remains in place above the area, with pilots and drone operators warned to stay away.

Kevin McKenna, the Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, has called for one of the masts to be kept in a museum on the island.

"For many here, the Montgomery masts are far more than wreckage; they're a cherished landmark linked to an extraordinary wartime story," he said.

"I fully support their safe removal and believe it's vital that part of this iconic structure is preserved for future generations."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.