AN MP has asked whether the bomb-filled SS Richard Montgomery, laying on the riverbed off Shoebury, could be a target for terrorists. 

Gordon Henderson, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey in Kent, asked the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to monitor the security of the SS Richard Montgomery and prevent terror attacks on it.

In a reply, MP Robert Goodwill said: "Medway Port Authority, which guards the wreck under contract to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, provides: 24 hour surveillance of the wreck, both visually and by radar; patrols of the area around the wreck; and an initial response to any potential incursions into the prohibited area.

"Incursions, and incidents likely to result in an incursion, are reported immediately to the Police and to HM Coastguard so that appropriate specialist support can be provided."

The American Liberty sank in waters 24ft deep about 1.5 miles from Sheerness and five miles from Shoebury in 1944 - taking 1,400 tonnes of explosives with her.

Ever since that day, the thorny issue of what is done about the stricken vessel and her dangerous cargo has remained.

Today, the masts of the wreck still protrude from the water and the site is cordoned off by warning buoys, but concerns about its structural integrity and fears of its arsenal exploding have been raised for years.

At the time of her sinking, she had been carrying bombs en route to join a convoy to Cherbourg in France, which had come under Allied control in July of that year during the Battle of Normandy.

She was ordered to berth at the Great Nore Anchorage, off the north edge of Sheerness, by the harbour master at naval control, which was on HMS Leigh, the code name for Southend Pier.

She was dragging her anchor and ran aground on a sandbank.

The water was 24ft deep, but the Montgomery had a draught of 31ft and broke her back as the tide went down.

Desperate attempts were made to salvage the cargo, but by the following day, a crack appeared in the hull and the forward end began to flood. By September 25, only half the cargo had been removed. Once the vessel flooded completely, the salvage operation had to be abandoned, with 1,400 tonnes of explosives remaining in the forward holds.

The wreck was left in two pieces.