A true story from the Thames Estuary
UNEXPLODED
Three rusting lines rise from the water off Sheerness. Beneath them lies a broken wartime ship, unexploded ammunition and an eighty-year story that refuses to end.
The ticking time bomb outside my window
The SS Richard Montgomery is a WW2 munitions ship that sank in the Thames Estuary near Sheerness in 1944. It still contains approximately 1,400 tonnes of explosives. This site serves as a companion to the book UNEXPLODED, providing an open evidence archive, an 80-year timeline, and the real human story behind the wreck.
The story of the Montgomery is not just a wartime relic; it is an active, ongoing situation. The masts that once served as warnings are now deteriorating, prompting a complex removal operation.
Explore the Site
- The Story - The 5 flagship chapters detailing the history and risks.
- Timeline - A comprehensive chronology of events spanning 80 years.
- Evidence Archive - Open access to sources, claims, and contradictions.
- The Book - UNEXPLODED by Robin Nixon.