Munitions Shipwreck Threatens Airport Plans
London, United Kingdom Plans to build a new airport located on an artificial island in the Thames estuary along the North Kent Coast are being threatened by a 67-year old munitions cache aboard a sunken WWII era American Liberty ship.
The SS Richard Montgomery packed with approximately 7,000 tons of munitions ran aground on a sandbar on August 20, 1944. Shortly after the grounding, intensive efforts were commenced to unload the vessel in an attempt to save the cargo and re-float the ship. However, the salvage effort was abandoned after a few weeks with a portion of its cargo intact when the hull cracked and vessel completely flooded.
After the initial salvage effort was abandoned, an exclusion zone was setup with the area marked with warning signs and buoys. For over 67 years, the shipwreck with its masts clearly visible above the water during all states of tide has been sitting close to the Medway Approach Channel.
Although the ship has remained in place for all these years, concerns over the environment and safety of mariners has forced the Marine and Coastguard Agency to conduct assessments on its condition. Since 1995, nine assessments have been completed to gage the rate of deterioration and movement of the shipwreck.
The latest assessment has indicated that the rate of deterioration has accelerated on some areas of the ship with one of the most vulnerable areas being the forward section which contains over 2,000 cases of fragmentation bombs. Estimates suggest that the shipwreck holds approximately 1,400 tons of munitions in all.
The shipwreck is considered a hazard to the flight path of the planned airport. Although some studies have been conducted over the years, no one can predict what would happen if the shipwreck structure fails and munitions are released over the seabed.
As interest in "Boris-Island Airport" (named after the Mayor who is a vocal proponent of the airport) increases so will interest in what to do with the shipwreck's load of munitions. Authorities must decide what to do to mitigate the hazards before any construction activities take place.
