Fort Miles
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Fort Miles is an American military installation located on Cape Henlopen near Lewes, Delaware. Even though funds to build the fort were approved in 1934, it wasn't until 1941 that the fort was constructed by the government. It was built for the intention of guarding the Delaware Bay and River and to protect domestic shipping from enemy fire within the capes, particularly from the German surface fleet. The fort was completed days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Battery Smith being declared operational on December 4th, 1941. The United States declaration of War on the Empire of Japan compelled the U. S. Army to man the fort with the 261st CAC (Coastal Artillery Company), who days before were slated to leave. Fourteen vessels, including the USS Jacob Jones, a naval Destroyer, were sunk off the coast of New Jersey during the first six months of 1942. Numerous batteries (ranging from 90mm guns up to 16 inch) were installed at the fort and a large mine field was laid in the waters off Lewes, Delaware in the following years, but the fort was to see no action during the conflict. The soldiers would receive the surrender of U-858, a German U-boat that was part of Operation Seawolf at the time of the German surrender to Allied forces in Europe. At its peak, Fort Miles was home to over 2,200 soldiers, men and women, including the 261st Coast Artillery, the 21st Coast Artillery, the 52nd Railway Artillery, the 198 Coast Artillery and the 113th Infantry (det). Most of Fort Miles was declared surplus in 1948 and 1949, but the Army continued to use portions of it through the early 1990's as a recreation area under the management of Fort Meade. In 1963 the US Navy took control of the southern end of Fort Miles including batteries Smith and Herring to establish a SOSUS listening facility. "NAVFAC Lewes" would continue to operate as a top secret facility there until September 30, 1981
Fire Control Towers, four to five story round-base concrete towers with flat observation decks, were set up as baselines to triangulate the position of suspicious ships or submarines. Five such towers still exist within the current boundaries of Cape Henlopen State Park, including one that has visitor access. Many bunkers were also constructed to house cannons and other weapons. Barracks, administration buildings, and a pier were also constructed as part of the fort. Fort Miles received the surrender German U-boat, U858, on the pier just after Victory in Europe on May 14, 1945.
Fort Miles never saw any major action, only firing its cannons once between its establishment and the end of the war. In 1964, 543 acres (2.2 km²) of federal land were donated to esablish Cape Henlopen State Park. Over time, more land was transferred to the state park until Fort Miles ceased operation altogether in 1991, last official usage was as a bivouac for soldiers just returned home from the first Gulf War.
A museum celebrating Delaware's part in World War II is currently in the process of being constructed within the state park. Tours began in 2004 and more is being done everyday. Walking tours of the bunkers and other facilities currently being restored are available during summer weekends. The project, located within Cape Henlopen State Park, falls under the pervue of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources (DNREC). For more information about times and dates, go to Cape Henlopen's Visitor Center.
Fort Miles Office: (302) 644-5007
INFORMATIONAL SOURCE
