Why could the ammunition in SS Richard Montgomery still explode, and are there other ships like it?
Short answerOld explosive compounds may remain active after shell casings weaken. Admiral Kuznetsov provides a comparison for the environmental damage a large wreck could cause in a crowded sea lane.
NotesSS Richard Montgomery remains a risk because shell casings may decay faster than the explosive chemicals inside them. A comparison with Admiral Kuznetsov sinking in the Channel broadens the problem. Fuel, debris, and currents from such a wreck could damage several European fishing economies. Similar wartime wreck hazards are considered more likely in the Pacific than around Europe.