The terrible explosion in the docks at Beirut made me ponder one point . The devastation caused by 2,700 tons of ammonium nitrate exploding brings to mind the matter that the residents of Sheerness in Kent and to a lesser extent the Isle of Sheppey and even Southend do not dwell on. Just off the coast , a few yards away from the main shipping lane on the Nore mudbank lies the sunken wreck of the liberty ship SS Richard Montgomery. She sunk in 1944 with 6,000 tons of high grade munitions on board, although over the years much was removed they recon 1,500 tons considered too dangerous to touch still remain in an increasingly parlous condition . When we used to visit Sheerness years ago my Uncle used to say that if that lot went off Sheerness would cease to exist , I thought a bit of a bang yes, but you must be exaggerating. Perhaps he was not . Doubtless that's why their house prices are lower.
