Skip to Main Content

Concrete ship.

Crumbling Wreck of a Concrete Ship

Field review by the editors.

Cape May Point, New Jersey

The scarcity of steel during World War I spurred San Francisco businessman William Leslie Comyn to build ships out of a counter-intuitive substitute -- concrete. The same stuff that was used to fashion cement overshoes for Mob victims actually floats when it's shaped like a boat.

The S.S. Atlantus was one of a dozen concrete ships that were built, and it criss-crossed the Atlantic several times, hauling cargo and troops. But when steel again became available, the S.S. Atlantus was mothballed.

Historical Marker and Concrete Ship S.S. Atlantus.

In 1926 she was docked in Cape May when a storm broke her loose and ran her aground, just off of Sunset Beach. She couldn't be pried off of the bottom because she was made of, well, concrete. For the last 90+ years her slowly crumbling hulk has been a tourist attraction, although not much of her is left above water.

Crumbling Wreck of a Concrete Ship

Address:
Sunset Blvd, Cape May Point, NJ
Directions:
Drive south to Cape May, then turn right onto Bank St./Jackson St. Jackson St. turns into Perry St., which turns into Sunset Blvd. Take Sunset Blvd two miles until it ends at a parking lot on the beach. The ship is just off-shore.
Save to My Sights

Nearby Offbeat Places

Climb the Anti-Sub Tower, See the DummiesClimb the Anti-Sub Tower, See the Dummies, Cape May, NJ - < 1 mi.
Elaine's Haunted Mansion RestaurantElaine's Haunted Mansion Restaurant, Cape May, NJ - 3 mi.
The Ugly MugThe Ugly Mug, Cape May, NJ - 3 mi.
In the region:
Steampunk Tree House, Milton, DE - 22 mi.

More Quirky Attractions in New Jersey

Stories, reports and tips on tourist attractions and odd sights in New Jersey.

Explore Thousands of Unique Roadside Landmarks!

Strange and amusing destinations in the US and Canada are our specialty. Start here.
Use RoadsideAmerica.com's Attraction Maps to plan your next road trip.

My Sights

My Sights on Roadside America

Map and Plan Your Own Roadside Adventure ...Try My Sights

Mobile Apps

Roadside America app: iPhone, iPad Roadside America app for iPhone, iPad. On-route maps, 1,000s of photos, special research targets! ...More

Roadside Presidents app: iPhone, iPad Roadside Presidents app for iPhone, iPad. POTUS landmarks, oddities. ...More

New Jersey Latest Tips and Stories

Latest Visitor Tips

Sight of the Week

Sight of the Week

JFK's World Famous Twine Ball, Highland, Wisconsin (Mar 18-24, 2024)

SotW Archive

USA and Canada Tips and Stories

More Sightings

Favorite Quirky City Sights