Image Credits: Wikipedia The UK government has confirmed that work to remove the three masts from the SS Richard Montgomery, a World War Two shipwreck carrying around 1,400 tonnes of explosives, will begin in September. The operation will take place in the Thames Estuary, near Sheerness, Kent, where the US Liberty ship has remained since it sank in 1944 while carrying munitions for the Allied war effort. A specialist underwater platform will be built to allow marine engineers to safely cut and remove the three masts over several weeks. The Department for Transport (DfT) said independent experts had confirmed that the work could be carried out without increasing the risk from the explosives still remaining onboard. The £9.5 million project is part of the government’s long-term management plan for the wreck, which has been continuously monitored and technically assessed since it sank more than 80 years ago. Preparations for the operation will begin later this month, with the main work expected to start in September. Officials said the work could be completed by the end of September, although delays may occur due to weather conditions. Safety Measures for Mast Removal The SS Richard Montgomery remains inside an exclusion zone about 1.5 miles off Sheerness, which will continue after the mast removal operation. Specialist marine contractor Resolve Marine will carry out the work under strict safety procedures and with continuous oversight. The company will work alongside emergency services, harbour authorities and other relevant organisations to ensure the operation is completed safely. The government said the removal plan has been developed after years of expert analysis and monitoring because of the explosives still stored inside the wreck. History of the SS Richard Montgomery The SS Richard Montgomery was a US Liberty ship built during World War Two to transport troops and supplies for the Allied forces. In 1944, the vessel was carrying around 7,000 tonnes of munitions