The last masts of the SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck in the Thames Estuary have finally been removed.
The three poles have been visible from the shoreline since the ship it sank with 1,400 tonnes of explosives onboard in 1944. The structure of the shipwreck had deteriorated to the point the mast could have collapsed and caused an explosion.
Engineers began removing them earlier in September, after fears were raised about them toppling onto and detonating the explosives. The last masts were removed on Wednesday 30th September.
“It was really important they came off now while the masts were still in a condition where they could be safely removed,” project lead Nolan Conway said.
The salvage project was first announced in 2020 and was expected to cost £9.5m.
The masts have long been a draw for tourists, and tour operators said they received extra bookings ahead of their removal.
Chatham Historic Dockyard will conserve the masts, after a campaign for them to stay in Kent, as they technically remain the property of the US government.
The Department for Transport is overseeing the removal project.
