Battery 223, Cape May, New Jersey
The US Army built Battery 223 in 1942 as part of the "1940 Harbor Defense Program". Located in Cape May New Jersey, it was originally 900 feet inland with the top of the structure at ground level. The earth and sod covering provided camouflage and protection. A sister bunker is located across the bay in Lewes, Delaware, possibly at Cape Henlopen State Park.
After World War II, the guns were removed and the Army installation was transferred to the Navy. A top secret radar station was placed on top of the emplacement. Numerous barracks and support buildings were built in what is now the parking lot. The Navy abandoned the Cape May Point installation in 1962 when a northeast storm breached the dunes in March of that year.
During November/December of 2004, the beach and sand dunes were restored to the point of the emplacement being surrounded by a sand beach. More information regarding the beach project can be found in this local article.
Satellite
view of the bunker taken sometime prior to the 2004 beach restoration. Parking
lot can be seen in the upper left. Photo credit - State of New Jersey /
Google Earth. The Google Earth bookmark is available here.)
)
Floor
plans.)
North
side view with the eastern entrance to the left of the picture. My son Jim
and daughter Sarah in front of a partially sunk structure. The walls seen
here are six feet thick.)
View
of the north and west sides. A fence around the top of the bunker is left
from the days when you could walk on top.)
Visitors
have the opportunity to learn about the bunker and it purpose. Many are
surprised that German U-boats once operated off these waters.)
View
of the emplacement with the ocean completely under the structure. Seen to
the right of the west entrance just above the water is one of the 6 inch
gun mounts.)
One of
the three entrances, this one is on the north side. The sloped structure
in the sand was once attached to the main structure, but has now collapsed
into the sand.)
The east
entrance is to the left, the two small openings at the right of the image
go into the muffler gallery.)
View
of the north and west entrances. My wife Debbie and nephew Greg are on one
of the two box like structures outside.)
Standing
roughly where the gun mount is now buried, this is the west side corridor
entrance and the bunker front on the south side, right of picture.)
Inside
the west entrance. A fence blocked my way, just as well since pigeons and
who knows what else live inside. The opening to the left is for one of two
air compressor rooms.)
Closer
view along the battery north front. The ocean bottom a year ago was about
15-20 feet below where I am standing.)
View
of the eastern side corridor entrance. This entrance allowed vehicles to
enter the bunker.)
The east
side of Battery 223. The Cape May lighthouse can be seen to the right in
the background. Sand in the entrance most likely came from the beach restoration
equipment. There are rocks and bolders in the entrance.)
Another view along the north side. The day before,
a storm eroded about twenty feet of sand from the new beach. Seen here the
surf is still rough from the storm, the sea is again trying to claim the
structure. )
Inside view of the east entrance. The light at the
end of the corridor is coming from the west entrance. The door to the right
leads to one of the shell rooms.)
South side wall along the corridor is seven feet thick.)
West side view.)
View from the walkway over the restored dunes.)