All Thames estuary sailors know the basic story of the Sir Richard Montgomery, the United States ammunition ship that sank on the tail of the Grain Bank in 1944. And, due to a mixed media interest warning of the direst of consequences should the ship explode, people on both sides of the Lower part of Sea Reach also are aware, all with a mixed belief in media hype.

The Sir Richard Montgomery soon after her sinking. (From web: Radio London, although clearly not originally by them!)

What is true is that she did settle with cargo in her forward holds. The aft end was essentially cleared as it remained buoyant for a period following her stranding. There is much discussion about the condition of the remaining munitions, which eventually will be spilled as the ship’s hull plating disintegrates.

This is a view I remember from my childhood – 1960s – Colin Harvey, found on web.

At the time the authorities deemed it was better to leave the ship to itself. There had been explosions at other wreck sites whilst attempt were being made to remove cargo – a ship off Folkestone left a ten metre crater in the sea bed…

Wikepedia has a fairly in depth overview of the ship and its remaining cargo.

See: SS Richard Montgomery – Wikipedia

The wreck is surveyed on an annual basis for changes are in many respects quite rapid as time has moved on. The forward section is moving and tilting to the east. Tilt increase in region of 15cm (6″) per annum currently. That is why the mast angles of fore and aft sections of the broken hull are visibly different.

The fore section has cracked and the upper decks around one of the masts has collapsed. The bridge structure which lost its support (above the boiler room) when the break occurred is collapsing badly now – movement of monitored areas have dropped two metres 2024-25.

Survey image from a few years back attributed to Kent online, but clearly from UK Gov survey report!

In the 2025 survey, the stern of the ship is under-scoured with rudder and a propeller in view!

Passing the Sir Richard Montgomery 14 June 2020 – Nick Ardley

Note in the 2020 picture taken from Whimbrel, there is a noticeable difference of angle to the two forward hull masts and the aft hull single mast. Six years on and the movement is approximately a half metre or so: the main reason why removal is going to take place. A contract has apparently now been placed! Will it stop the movement of the forward hull – well at least a large turning moment will have been removed. However, I expect scour around the hull sections cannot be helping!

Maritime & Coastguard Agency 2025 Report: SS-richard-montgomery-annual-survey-report-2025.pdf

It is interesting reading!

I look forward to reading the 2026 report when published…