For anyone interested in the removal of the masts from the SS Richard Montgomery in the Thames, it’s happening now!

[columnatedruinsdomino]

Live feed

https://www.iossc.org.uk/weather/?sn=cam1-rt

The first mast was removed yesterday. There is a time-lapse video on Facebook under James Bell Photography that shows the mast being lifted out of the water. I can’t seem to share it.

One down, two to go!

Here you are....

I saw the paddle steamer Waverley on marine traffic yesterday, but she went into Sarfend and didn't come as far as Sheerness.

Oh lovely! Thank you!

I was trying to work out what the Waverley was doing in the Thames Estuary, but seems she comes down from the Clyde for a regular autumn season in southern England, including Gravesend<->Southend.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PS_Waverley

My heart is always with the Medway Queen, though.

Quite a lot of activity in the last half hour. The cable’s been sent across now, maybe something happening?

Cable dangling, people around mast!

I think this really may be it!

Although having said that, surely the crane will have to take the weight before the mast is cut?

So could be a while before lift off.

Big paddle-steamer just zipped past heading upstream, though I can't see it on the Maritime Traffic map. Passengers standing gawping at the goings on.

Oh just materialised on the map. It was indeed the Waverley.

Just seen Waverley on Marine Traffic heading away! I missed it!

I saw a series of white splashes just in front of the platform.

Image not good enough to see properly, but now I wonder if that was the divers going in?

Yachts taking a leisurely view.

Waverley heading up the Medway.

ACTION!
She's away!

Hey ho and up she rises!

This is a long straight piece of mast with no cross piece. Something complicated going on.

And she's being swayed towards the platform.

The mast with the cross piece is STILL THERE!

This is another mast!

Yes, another beam similar to that was pulled up a few days ago. No idea what they are. The third mast is still hanging in there!

Aha, this 2011 image shows more:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Thames_Richard_Montgomery_KC_7711_(Modified).JPG

Well spotted!

Looks like Waverley has picked up a tug and is manoeuvring off Gillingham.

Waverley heading back downstream again, so maybe she'll reappear at the Montgomery.

Destination Southend when I click on her icon. Maybe she'll divert to take a look or maybe she'll scoot through west of camera-view.

She went past, turned around downstream and came back. Now seems to be headed for Southend.

Don't suppose there'll be anything else happening today.