A shipwreck in the Thames full of World War II explosives is coming closer to collapsing, a new report reveals.
The SS Richard Montgomery – nicknamed the ‘doomsday wreck’ – sank in the Thames Estuary near Sheerness in Kent and Southend-on-Sea in Essex in 1944.
The ship’s masts are still visible above the waterline despite plans to remove them to avoid triggering an explosion of the 1,400tonnes of explosives on board.
It’s feared an explosion could trigger a tsunami in the Thames, hurling a ‘1,000ft wide column of water, mud, metal and munitions almost 10,000ft into the air – risking wildlife and the lives of many people’.
Waves up to 16ft high could engulf coastal Essex and the Isle of Sheppey.
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And an ominous new report suggests that potential outcome is drawing closer, with several changes detected in the year since the wreck was last surveyed a year ago.
A no-fly zone has been put in place above the wreck by the Department for Transport (DfT), which bans civilian and non-emergency aviation from flying overhead – but the department insists the wreck is still ‘stable’.
The survey warns the front half of the ship – which broke in two when it sank – is slowly tipping over, moving about 19in (50cm) eastward in two years.
More decay was observed in the second cargo hold, where the upper port side has cracked, and the lower starboard side has become ‘significantly buckled’.
This has caused part of the deck above to start collapsing into the hold, with the hatch supports in this area dropping by up to 6in (17cm) in a year.
The report suggests the front part of the wreck is ‘splitting in two’, with the back section also in trouble.
It explains: ‘Like the forward section, the rear section is hogging and potentially breaking in two about halfway along its length.
‘This area was left unsupported when the ship broke in two back in 1944.
‘Consequently, it has been badly affected by wave and current action and is steadily collapsing and falling into the gap between the two halves of the vessel.
‘The degree to which the bow and stern may be being undercut as the supporting sediment is eroded away is a potential concern.’
Daniel Cowan is leader of Southend council, which is just five miles north of the wreck and therefore at risk if the doomsday wreck explodes.
He said: ‘According to the experts, the wreck of the Montgomery remains stable, so I understand that the no-fly zone that’s been put in is a precautionary measure.
‘But we are seeking further clarity around the long-term plans for the wreck.
‘What we’d like more than anything is clarity, to understand what the long-term plans are.’
The DfT said the no-fly zone had been put in place on expert advice, and will remain until further notice.
A spokesperson said: ‘Our priority will always be to ensure the safety of the public and to reduce any risk posed by the SS Richard Montgomery.
‘The condition of the wreck remains stable, and experts are continuing to monitor the site.
‘As part of their ongoing monitoring, they have updated advice on how authorities can further minimise risk.
‘They have recommended that pilots and operators do not fly in a limited area around and above the site as specified by the Civil Aviation Authority.’
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