WW2 bomb boat sinks in Kent: what if it explodes?

The Montgomery, a US cargo ship, sank in the Thames Estuary in 1944 while carrying a substantial cargo of 6,000 tonnes of explosives. This vessel now rests on the seabed, with its masts visible above the water. Local residents have expressed growing concerns about the potential consequences if the ship's explosives were to detonate, which could result in a tidal wave impacting Sheerness and other nearby towns, including areas in Essex like Southend-on-Sea and Canvey Island. The prevailing theory among experts is that leaving the explosives undisturbed may be safer than attempting to remove them, which could trigger a catastrophic explosion. Historical precedents, such as the Kielce incident in 1967, highlight the dangers associated with salvage attempts on sunken munitions. In a recent court case, it was established that damage from bomb disposal actions may not be covered by standard insurance policies, as seen with the University of Exeter's claim against Allianz. Homeowners near the Montgomery face a challenging situation regarding insurance coverage for potential damage from an explosion. Custom insurance options may exist but are prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, the UK government has denied liability for damages related to WW2 explosives, leaving residents to shoulder the financial burden of any incidents. Despite the serious risks, experts suggest that the likelihood of an explosion occurring is relatively low, providing some reassurance to those living in the vicinity of the sunken vessel.