World War Two wreck in Thames Estuary is ‘ticking time bomb’ amid concerns of ‘tsunami risk’
A World War Two wreck in the Thames Estuary could explode at any second and prompt a “tsunami risk”, experts fear.
The SS Richard Montgomery sank in the Thames Estuary in August 1944 with 1,400 tonnes of explosives still inside.
The three masts that can be seen above the water’s surface are going to be removed, however, experts say that this is not enough. A new survey has revealed that the body of the ship is also collapsing, so the explosives need to be removed as soon as possible.
Professor David Alexander of University College London said that the vessel remains a “serious threat” and that just removing the masts would not suffice.
He said that if the explosives were to be triggered, a five-metre tsunami could rise in the Thames.
Professor Alexander warned that the SS Richard Montgomery is just 5km away from the Isle of Grain, where 28 petroleum tanks and five natural gas tanks the “size of the Royal Albert Hall” lie.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, he cited a report written by the Royal Military in the 1970s about the vessel which said that “there could be “an explosion producing a column of water and sand about 3,000 metres high, a five-metre tsunami and goodness knows what else”
“There are plenty of other things that could happen, for example a series of repeated explosions. I think the government’s attitude that unexploded ordnance gets safer over time is not supported by ordnance experts,” he said.
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He mentioned potential incidents that could trigger an explosion, including a terrorist attack and a collision with a ship.
He cited the example of the Mare Altum – a Danish-flagged chemical tanker that was on a collision course with the wreck when it was luckily diverted with just minutes to spare back in 1980.
Professor Alexander has called on the Government to clear the ship of explosives.
He said: “I think it is worth doing because I’m not convinced that it is becoming safer, and I’m not convinced that it is safe now.”
The ship was an American vessel carrying military weapons for the allies in the Second World War.
The SS Richard Montgomery has been nicknamed the “Doomsday wreck” due to its potential explosive power.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Our priority will always be to ensure the safety of the public and reduce any risk posed by the SS Richard Montgomery.
“We commissioned experts to carry out vital surveying work and we continue to monitor the site 24 hours a day and undertake detailed surveys to assess the wreck’s condition.”