“sunken concrete cargo ship!”
SS Atlantus is the most famous of the twelve concrete ships built by the Liberty Ship Building Company in Brunswick, Georgia during and after World War I. The steamer was launched on 5 December 1918, and was the second concrete ship constructed in the World War I Emergency Fleet. The war had ended a month earlier, but the Atlantus was used to transport American troops back home from Europe and also to transport coal in New England. After 2 years of service, the ship was retired in 1920 to a salvage yard in Virginia. In 1926, Colonel Jesse Rosenfeld purchased the Atlantus for use in the creation of a ferry dock (for a route now served by the Cape May – Lewes Ferry) out of her and two of her sister ships. The plan was to dig a channel into the shore where the Atlantus would be placed, and the other two ships would be placed in a Y formation, creating a slip for a ferry to dock. In March 1926, the groundbreaking ceremonies were held for the construction of the ferry dock. The Atlantus was repaired and towed to Cape May, New Jersey. On June 8th of the same year, a storm hit and the ship broke free of her moorings and ran aground 150 feet off the coast of Sunset Beach, New Jersey. Several attempts were made to free the ship, but none were successful.
A great place to visit. You'll see people collecting what's called Cape May diamonds. The kids love it. I enjoyed the gift shop. The sand here is pretty but very stoney from the so call diamonds. A lot of people sitting and just enjoying the view. The migration of the monarchs is in October and viewing them is not far away.
We took the 4:15 ferry and arrived for sunset. The view and photos are absolutely stunning.
Nice backdrop off sunset beach. His and remembers seeing this as a child.
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SS Atlantus
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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Parking
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Pets Allowed
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Restrooms
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Wifi
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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