The SS Richard Montgomery was a Liberty Ship carrying munitions. She anchored in the Great Nore off Sheerness awaiting a convoy formation to continue on to Cherbourg. On the 20th August 1944 she dragged her anchor and grounded on a sandbank. Half of the cargo was removed in salvage works which continued until the ship broke apart and flooded the remaining cargo holds.

The wreck is designated a Dangerous Wreck and has an exclusion zone in place around it. It is routinely monitored and surveyed to assess changing conditions on the sea bed.

Vertical Datum: LAT The RICHARD MONTGOMERY was attacked by German aircraft in Thames Estuary. Was towed in and anchored. Later dragged and grounded. 3173 Tons of bombs were discharged after grounding, original cargo was 6862 tons bombs and munitions. After salvage work, which was stopped 25-SEP-1944, the following cargo remained:- 1667 tons loose gen purpose bombs (gp); 1435 tons semi-armoured piercing bombs (sap). 173 Tons cluster fragmentation bombs; 107 tons white phosperous smoke bombs; 36 tons other explosives; 134 tons non-explosives. 10-AUG-1959 Stranded wreck, with back broken, in 51 27 57N 000 47 12E- 074 deg water tr (grain conspic) 2.67M. 12-JUL-1966 Stranded wreck in 51 27 57N 000 47 12E with 750ft radius prohibited area. 12-SEP-1967 Wreck is visible at all states of tide and marked by lt bell buoy to S and blind buoy to N. Very detailed survey in 1952 by PLA showed wreck to have settled on hard bottom with deep scour holes in sand round wreck. Surveys since 1952 have been limited to routine surveys, although wreck has been examined to check angle of list and state of masts and derricks. 16-JUL-1968 Proposals to protect wreck from accidental collision and discussion of methods. 16-NOV-1970 Mr Anthony Grant, (under Sect for Trade and Industry), said in House of Commons 10-NOV-1970, protection of wreck by blockships was not feasible. Other forms of barrier were studied. 23-DEC-1970 Latest survey round wreck indicates in 3 parts. Masts still showing. 03-JUL-1972 Diving survey 14-31 JULY 1972. Slow speed requested. 14-SEP-1972 No vessel to navigate within 700ft without permission. 02-OCT-1973 Wreck is actually in 3 parts. 14-NOV-1978 A full survey will be carried out by MOD on SEPT 25 1978. This has been requested by Department of Transport. 20-MAY-1980 Survey of 1979 revealed wreck in stable condition. Further diving survey to be carried out in 1980. 13-JUN-1980 3 Masts still show, least echosounder dpth on N Section - 1.6m, on S Section- dries 5.6m. 14-OCT-1981 3 Masts still show. N section dries 1.4m. S section- N part dries 3.6m. S part dries 1.6m. 14-OCT-1982 Report by Cabinet Defence and Overseas Policy Committee, dtd 7-OCT-1982, reviews current situation. 31-JUL-1984 Dept of Transport states wreck is stable. Diving survey by Royal Navy in July 1983 showed that shells and bombs are now embedded in thick mud. 19-NOV-1985 2 week diving survey commenced 14-OCT-1985 by team from British Underwater Engineering (BUE). 22-MAR-1984 Wreck lies in 2 main parts on its starboard side. Its bow is covered with between 3-8m of water and the stern with between 1- 8m. The central section of stern is drying up to 3.2m. 2 masts on bow section, 1 on stern. 06-FEB-1992 Surveyed again SEP-91. No evidence of recent major changes. Silt around wreck site is mobile and extensive scouring under wreck was observed. No attempt to be made to clear wreck or its cargo. Site will continue to be monitored and will remain prohibited area under 1973 Protection of Wreck Act (1).

<1> Hydrographic Office wreck index, Extracted 20-JAN-1993, Page Nos. N/a (Bibliographic reference). SKE6339.