Why the Richard Montgomery wreck cannot simply be ignored

Is salvaging the SS Richard Montgomery a good idea, or should the explosive wreck be left alone?

Intervention is justified only if surveys show that removal is safe or that the deteriorating wreck has become more dangerous to leave in place.

The salvage decision balances two hazardous choices. If the explosives have become inert, removing obstructive wreckage can make the channel safer. If corrosion and structural decline are increasing the danger, leaving the wreck untouched may no longer be responsible. Either way, an operation near the Thames would require evidence and planning because both salvors and nearby communities face the consequences of a mistake.