A wartime ship packed with explosives is a timebomb waiting to go off in the Thames, just off south Essex, a report in a top scientific magazine claimed today.
The SS Richard Montgomery, a wartime liberty ship, which grounded in 1944, could cause one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever, a report in the New Scientist said.
The report is in stark contrast to repeated studies by the Government's Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which insists the American vessel is safe.
However, the munitions the ship contained had unprotected fuses, which could turn highly unstable if exposed to water vapour, the magazine insisted.
There was also a risk of a spontaneous explosion if water penetrated the bombs.
Ann Holland, Southend executive councillor for environmental and public protection, said: "I'm a bit perturbed. I'll be investigating this with officers."
Castle Point Tory MP Bob Spink accused the New Scientist of "hyping up the situation".
Published Thursday August 19, 2004
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