Philadelphia, PA - Sunset Beach on Delaware Bay in Cape May, New Jersey, is where you can see the sunken wreck of the World War One concrete ship, Atlantus. She lies there, half-submerged, a few hundred feet offshore.
The Concrete Ghost of Sunset Beach: A Guide to the SS Atlantus Shipwreck in Cape May
At the southern tip of New Jersey, where the Delaware Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean, lies Sunset Beach in Cape May. True to its name, it offers spectacular evening skies, but visitors are often captivated by another, more haunting sight: the skeletal remains of a ship resting just a few hundred feet offshore. This is the wreck of the SS Atlantus, a weather-worn concrete ship with a fascinating story of wartime innovation and a fateful storm.
A World War I Experiment: The Concrete Ship
The SS Atlantus was not a typical vessel. She was one of twelve experimental concrete ships built for the United States during World War I. In an effort to conserve steel, which was in short supply, these freighters were constructed from reinforced concrete. The Atlantus served to transport American troops home from Europe after the war and was later used to transport coal in New England.
An Ill-Fated Final Voyage to Cape May
After being retired from service, the SS Atlantus was purchased in 1926 for a very specific purpose. The plan was to intentionally sink her and two other concrete ships at the mouth of the Cape May Canal to create a protective breakwater for a new ferry landing.
However, fate had other plans. On June 8, 1926, during a powerful storm, the Atlantus broke free from her moorings before she could be sunk in her intended location. The massive vessel was carried by the tempest and ran aground in the shallow waters off Sunset Beach, where she has remained ever since, slowly surrendering to the relentless forces of the bay.
A Happy Accident: The Source of Cape May Diamonds
The accidental placement of the SS Atlantus had an unforeseen and delightful consequence. The wreck acts as an artificial barrier, altering the water currents in just the right way to help tumble, smooth, and deposit pure quartz pebbles onto the shore. These beautiful, clear stones are known as "Cape May Diamonds," and beachcombers flock to Sunset Beach to hunt for them. The iconic concrete shipwreck is directly responsible for creating this beloved local treasure hunt.
Visiting the SS Atlantus Today
Today, the visible remains of the SS Atlantus serve as a poignant and picturesque landmark.
- What You'll See: The cracked and broken stern of the concrete hull juts out of the water, a favorite subject for photographers, especially against the backdrop of a vibrant sunset.
- Best Viewing: The wreck is easily visible from the shoreline of Sunset Beach and is a constant, silent presence during the popular evening flag-lowering ceremony held there nightly from May through September.
The wreck of the SS Atlantus is more than just a deteriorating ship; it's a piece of World War I history, a testament to a powerful storm, and an iconic Cape May landmark. Its accidental grounding created a unique feature on the Delaware Bay and contributed to the local legend of Cape May Diamonds. A visit to Sunset Beach offers a chance to witness this "concrete ghost," a hauntingly beautiful reminder of the enduring power of history and nature.
