CAPE MAY – A new location and design for the proposed USS Jacob Jones Memorial is under consideration in the city, following several meetings where residents provided feedback to the committee undertaking the effort to honor the warship and others destroyed during World War II’s Battle of the Atlantic.
The new location, at the end of Beach Avenue near Poverty Beach on Wilmington Avenue, is the eighth site considered for the monument, according to John Boecker, a city resident and a retired architect who is part of the Jacob Jones Memorial Monument Committee.
Boecker presented the new location and a revised design at the July 15 City Council meeting. After the presentation,
while council members voiced neither support nor discouragement of the ideas, a number of residents who own property near the proposed site voiced their opposition to putting the monument near Poverty Beach.
Another public information meeting will be held via Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, to solicit feedback on the new location and design. Details will be on the City of Cape May’s website.
The monument would be built of aluminum, reflecting many of the angles of the original warship that was sunk off the Cape May coast by a German submarine on Feb. 28, 1942. One hundred thirty officers and crew perished, and all but one body remain entombed within the wreckage.
According to Boecker, the proposed location hits on four points the committee considered, especially in light of resident feedback. It also reflects the committee’s commitment that the monument be located within city limits.
“The proposed area is very serene and reverential, unlike the other locations we considered,” he said. “It has a direct line of sight to the beach, ocean and site where the ship went down, and the Coast Guard base, which was a naval station at the time of the sinking and where 11 survivors were treated. It also has a direct line to the canal, which was used as a major defense adjustment at the time.”
Boecker said the new design is projected to be 26 feet high, the “same height as the trees nearby,” and 6 feet shorter than originally designed. The site will have new elements including a plaza, flagpole and walkways.
He said concerns about parking, bird nesting and storm surge can be addressed.
“I have driven down to the World War II monument at Sunset Beach multiple times, and there have been no more than four cars there at one time,” he said, referring to another location proposed by residents and considered by the committee. “We think that walkers or bikers, or those visiting Poverty Beach or the monument, will have plenty of parking.”
Referring to the possibility of birds nesting on the monument, Boecker said, “We welcome it! People said the same thing about the arches on the promenade, but there haven’t been any nests in three years. If birds nest on this, great! What a blending with nature.”
The monument will be built to withstand hurricane-strength winds since it will be “open and basically a frame,” according to Boecker, who added, “It will help protect and fortify the dunes.”
One of the key design elements is the illumination of the names of the crew members who died when the sun aligns with the monument at the time of the sinking, 9:48 a.m. Feb. 28. A low-level light will shine on the names, which will be cut out within the monument, at night.
Committee Chairman Myles Martel said he has contacted the grandson of the captain (Lt. Cmdr. Hugh Black) who perished with the ship, and he described the grandson as “warm, cooperative and very appreciative” of the committee’s efforts.
The grandson’s father, the son of Black, recently died and his ashes were spread over the sea above the wreck, thereby joining father and son at the sinking site.
During the public comments portion of the meeting, eight homeowners voiced support of the monument but opposition to the proposed site at Poverty Beach, citing everything from disruption of the natural environment to lack of parking to unknown impacts from the pending extension of the seawall and promenade.
“I am hearing and seeing a disconnect with the intentions of the monument and the site,” said Alice Morris, of 1621 Beach Ave.
“Poverty Beach is the last natural environment area in Cape May on Beach Avenue,” she said. “Homeowners and visitors who use the beach have actively chosen it because it’s a more natural environment.”
She added that the planned extension of the promenade and seawall will “dramatically change our experience at the beach” and asked that the City Council not add to those changes with the monument, which will be built of metal and be “of an extreme height” that would change the experience at the beach.
She also said the proposed platforms would impact the wildlife living in the area.
Architect Lee Snyder, of 1 Wilmington Ave., was concerned that the materials used in the construction of the memorial might become “projectiles” during windstorms. He also expressed concern that kids would climb the monument, potentially causing injuries.
A proposed handicapped-accessible ramp would take up four to five parking spots, which are “critical” to the area, he said.
He said that he didn’t think the design integrated well with the environment and dunes, adding: “Construction will destroy the area.”
“Poverty Beach has been designated a sanctuary for migratory birds at times, and is sometimes roped off,” he said. “I would suggest that the area near the World War II tower, which provides sufficient parking and will not disturb the environment, be considered.”
Another resident, Hunter Cochran, of 1613 Beach Ave., suggested Cape May State Park as a location for the memorial because of the availability of parking and the nearby World War II lookout tower.
“The tower is there because it was built to look for U-boats,” he said. “It makes sense to have the memorial in a location that is harmonious with what it was intended for originally.”
An attorney from a Marlton law firm, Peter Cecinni, spoke on behalf of another resident, Elizabeth Trucksess, of 1724 New York Ave. He suggested the area near the World War II tower be considered instead of Poverty Beach.
“If the goal is to inspire individuals, the site should be independent of the beach,” he said.
His client, who was present at the meeting, pointed out that the area does not having parking meters, so “low-income families can spend the day at the beach. People come to the beach to have fun, relax and not be reminded about some of the hard things in life,” Trucksess said.
“Poverty Beach doesn’t marry the intention of the monument as a location.”
Beth Jeffrey, of 1621 Beach Ave., said the impact of the addition of the seawall and promenade is unknown, and the addition of the monument was “a lot to be asking of the neighborhood.”
She also expressed concern about impacts to wildlife.
After listening to the comments, Martel thanked everyone and said all feedback would be considered seriously. While he was not going to address the merits of the proposed site, he did confirm that the committee was committed to Cape May.
“I started the project, and this is a work of passion, careful research and a tremendous amount of heart, talent and effort,” he said. “Why are we doing it? Because we love Cape May and our hearts are in Cape May, not with another municipality, jurisdiction or entity. As long as this group is involved, it will not leave Cape May, no matter the location finally selected.”
Mayor Zach Mullock stressed that at this point in time, the project is “far from a done deal.” He commended the committee for all of its meetings to solicit feedback, but also pointed out a number of other recent projects in the city that initially had pushback but turned positive when the project was completed.
“Ultimately, the product took into consideration the neighborhood and had a positive impact,” Mullock said, referring to projects such as the recently opened nature trail, Kiwanis Club Park, the new library and firehouse, and renovation of the AME Church.
Martel said the committee plans a nationwide fundraising campaign for the monument, which does not yet have a price tag. He acknowledged there may be various environmental issues, which he said will be addressed as well.
“If anyone has any questions or feedback, I encourage you to contact John or myself or our website,” Martel said. “Rumors are already started, and there is misinformation out there. We are committed to a democratic and transparent process as much as possible.”
Contact the reporter, Karen Knight, at kknight@cmcherald.com.
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