This was a pleasant surprise after trusting the New Jersey State Parks website and coming down to Cap May to see the light house, only to find out they were closed for winter. Jerks. Not worth a special trip unless you’re really into that sort of thing, this was a WWII gun emplacement that kept the Fascists at bay with the threat of its four 155 mm(6″) coast artillery guns. The 6″ guns fired a 105 pound armor-piercing projectile with a range of over 15 miles at a rate of up to 5 rounds per minute. Enough to take care of any errant German subs that ventured too close to the harbor entrance. The emplacement was originally completely buried. The beach shifts from year to year. When we were there, only a few of the pilings could be seen– some pictures show the hundreds of pilings it actually sits on. The Emplacements themselves, out in front of the fort, are either buried or washed away– we couldn’t see them. Unfortunately, there is no way inside but you can pound your head on the outside of the six foot thick walls just to get an idea of what a serious structure this is. No admission charge, just walk out onto the beach. Its twin was on the opposite shoe in Delaware. Don’t know if it’s still there.
Geno P.
Place rating: 3 San Diego, CA
You just never know what you’re going to find during a walk along the beach. A unique sea shell in mint condition? Portugese Man-O-War? Crab vs. seagull? Well, in Cape May N.J., somebody left a big ol’ bunker sitting on the beach! Known as the former Battery 223, this old fortress sure does draw curious crowds. I came across this monstrosity during a jog along the beach, and I had to run back and get my camera. According to military Web sites, the battery served in WWII has part of Cape May Military Reservation and was part of harbor defense. Once you take a trip over to Fire Control Tower No. 23, it all starts to make sense. This is why when you’re in Cape May, you can’t just go to the lighthouse and call it a day. You’re going to end up seeing the trifecta, with your day culminating at Sunset Beach to see the former S.S. Atlantus(and the sunset, of course). Just a few tips: don’t climb on the bunker. It’s dangerous and there’s no point to it. It also helps to visit early if you plan to photograph, so you don’t have dozens of people in your pictures. Yes, you read that correctly. The only bombs now threatening this bunker are … photo bombers. Badum-pssssh.
