Since August 1944, the SS Richard Montgomery has been stuck on the floor of the River Thames Estuary. Used during World War II by the United States for carrying munitions, the ship broke in half en route to Cherbourg in France. The remains of the ship are now located approximately 1.5 miles from Sheerness in Kent. Of the original 7,000 tons of explosive cargo aboard the “Doomsday Wreck”, 1,400 tons still remain today, posing a significant hazard as the ship continues to break apart, potentially igniting the cargo.
The Dangers Associated with the Doomsday Wreck
While one might think that a ship laying at the bottom of an estuary since 1944 couldn’t possibly pose any threat, the Department of Transport definitely seems to think there are potential problems ahead. In fact, it has recently implemented a no-fly zone around the wreck site, banning non-emergency and civilian aviation in the air space overhead. This is because a new study revealed that the hull is deteriorating, making the front half tip gradually. More decay was additionally noted in the second cargo hold and the lower starboard is significantly buckled.
This has resulted in the above deck beginning to collapse into the hold, as can be seen thy the hatch supports which have dropped by around 17 cm in a year. According to the survey, “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.” According to the report, a potential concern is the degree to which the bow and stern might be undercut as the sediment that supports it erodes away.
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Warning of Potential Tsunami
As far back as 1970, the Royal Military College of Science noted that if the entire cache of explosives ignited at once, it could cause a tsunami five meters in height. It would also unleash a column of debris and water reaching 3,000 meters in height, engulfing the nearby town of Sheerness. However, the ministry tasked with looking after the doomsday wreck, the Department for Transport, has stated that its condition remains stable. According to a spokesperson for the department, “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.” They have also updated advice on how authorities can further minimize any potential risk as part of their monitoring efforts. As specified by the Civil Aviation Authority, they have likewise recommended that pilots not fly in the area above and around the site of the Doomsday wreck.
The Bottom Line
Despite reassurances from authorities that the Doomsday wreck remains stable, others feel that it poses significant dangers. Continuous surveillance and risk evaluations must be carried out, but experts caution that mere passive monitoring alone may not be enough. Some marine engineers and safety analysts are advocating for a renewed effort to detonate or remove the explosives properly. This is despite the fact that such an operation would present significant technical obstacles and risks in and of itself. While the Doomsday Wreck may not yet represent a ticking time bomb, it is undeniably a loaded one.
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