CAPE MAY — The Jacob Jones Memorial Committee appeared before City Council to present its new designs for a proposed monument to honor U.S. Navy sailors who gave their lives during the Battle of the Atlantic amid World War II.
During the City Council meeting May 5, Cape May resident and lead architect John Boecker presented the new design and location: directly across from The Grand Hotel and its World War II observation tower.
The Jacob Jones was the first U.S. destroyer deployed in the Atlantic Ocean to patrol for German U-boats. On Feb. 18, 1942, it was attacked off the coast of Cape May just days after it began its mission and less than three months after Germany’s declaration of war against the United States.
Boecker said he spent several months redesigning the monument. He added that the monument is intended to be an immersive experience and honor the heroes through symbolic features.
“The core principles for the design also significantly evolved,” Boecker said. “Very much wanting to contribute to and fit within its natural ecology habitat, and in fact, actually promote habitat and ecology in that place, but also be a place of humility; a quiet, contemplative, meditative space.”
Boecker presented a video from a relative of the ship’s Capt. Hugh David Black, Gregg Dohrn of Spokane, Wash.
“I’m proud to say that I’m the oldest grandchild of Lt. Commander Hugh David Black and a native son of New Jersey,” Dohrn said. “My mother was only nine years old when the Jacob Jones was attacked and sunk. On behalf of the extended family of Lt. Black, I can say that we are excited and deeply moved by local endeavors to design and construct a memorial monument.”
Dohrn added that he finds great comfort and joy in knowing that the ultimate sacrifice made by the crew of the Jacob Jones has not been forgotten, and that future generations will have the opportunity to honor and pay their respects to the brave men and reflect on their losses.
Resident Devon Barrow said the memorial was a great idea for those who have lost family members to the ocean.
“You don’t have anywhere to go or any finality,” Barrow said. “Something like this, where 138 sailors who passed away, that’s at least 138 families don’t have anywhere to grieve.”
Resident Vince DeGiaimo said he lives near the proposed monument site and is excited to have it as a “neighbor.”
“I took a walk to the beach and looked back toward The Grand and imagined the monument there,” DeGiaimo said. “I saw the tower in the background, and I see how it blends with the historical stuff.”
Resident Bonnie Ponton said city residents are honored to pay homage to the men lost to the tragic event that occurred off Cape May’s shore.
“The monument will be in Cape May, but the recognition will go well beyond our borders and shorelines,” Ponton said.
Jim Testa, vice chairman of the Historical Preservation Commission, said his personal view was that the memorial is a significant addition to Cape May’s catalog. He added that his father was a World War II veteran and that, if he were at the meeting, he would say the memorial is appropriate and well-designed.
“I think it will bring us attention and rightfully so,” Testa said. “I think we will be the better for it, and that it will confirm what we know from many other instances in Cape May: that this is a little town, but it’s got a really big heart.”
Councilman Steve Bodnar said the presentation was outstanding and a reminder of how invested the people of Cape May are in the community.
“I rarely put pressure on council like this, but I fully endorse this,” Mayor Zack Mullock said. “Everyone involved took all the different public comments, opinions and questions and just hit it out of the park. I think it’s beautiful and this is going to touch a lot of people.”
Deputy Mayor Maureen McDade said the committee listened to the community and now, people have embraced the design.
“Kudos for the work that you’ve done, when you have a community that went from not really wanting this, questioning it, fighting against it, to having a community that embraces it,” McDade said, adding that she fully supported it.
Councilwoman Lorraine Baldwin said the project is beautiful and a win-win for the city.
“I can’t think of a single person walking on the Promenade and not being curious and walking over to see what it is,” Councilman Shane Meier said. “I think more importantly, when kids get to see it and go in there and the parents explain the history, it’s going to be really impactful for our young Americans.”
During a public Zoom session on April 15, Boecker presented several architectural drawings, a shop drawing of the metal plate of names and bird’s-eye, eye-height, and 3D views of the monument.
It would be 34 feet in diameter, which Boecker said is roughly the length of two cars. The portal is 8 feet in diameter and 5.5 feet high.
The names of all 138 crew members would be laser-cut through the entire thickness of the stainless steel plate. The intention is for the sun to bounce around and reflect off the portal, backlighting the names. For additional lighting, there would be a low-voltage LED lighting source.
“The line from the center of our site to the sinking site is 43 degrees due west,” Boecker said. “On Feb. 28, when the sun is directly in alignment with the sinking site at 9:51 a.m., that precisely illuminates the 2-foot bronze plaque at the center of the entire composition.”
Boecker said they are in talks with the Navy to obtain permission to use bronze salvaged from the sinking site for the plaque.
“We can melt down and recreate this plaque right in the middle, which is directly in the middle [and] the center line that bisects the monument and connects us to the sinking sites,” Boecker said.
The landscaping will include native plants such as honeysuckle, which provides food for pollinators. Another layer of bayberries will be 6 feet high on each side.
Visitors to the monument would be able to look through the viewing portal from the Promenade side. There would also be a small trough in the monument that collects rainwater and directs it into the planting beds.
Before entering the monument, there will be interpretive signage to explain it.
In a previous interview with the Star and Wave, Jacob Jones Memorial Committee founder Myles Martel explained the importance of honoring the first U.S. warship that enemy vessels sank, which goes beyond honoring those who were lost at sea.
“The sinking site is hallowed, and our memorial is aimed to accentuate that tragic reality as we honor those men and all of their naval brethren who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our freedom during the Battle of the Atlantic, the longest engagement during World War II,” he said.
The committee is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, and the project would be funded through fundraising.
“We’re counting on the people of Cape May and as well as people throughout the country, to support this very significant and gorgeous monument,” Martel said. “We’re hopeful you’ll be as supportive as possible because this is a very important way to remember all those who gave their lives, whose remains are still in that watery grave off our shores.”
By RACHEL SHUBIN/Special to the Star and Wave
