Sandy Hook - back in time

[FinnsnGrinns]

Does anyone have any stories or history of Sandy hook they want to post? I love fishing there. The fly fishing can be great and it has a lot of history.

[fishinmission78]

I used to fish there a lot. Back in 1998 there was a great fall run and that was one of the hot spots. Don't know much about the history though.

[FinnsnGrinns]

Yes fishing used to be a lot better but I think its still good at times.

[ledhead36]

Follow the light! I bet there is a lot of pirate treasure there.

[fishinmission78]

FYI - I was reading an article that said the twin lights area to Sandy hook had a few ships washed up in the winter. Also said something about pirates burying some booty as well.

[bababooey]

Amazing what you can find with an archive search.:D Talk about run on sentences.:don't know why:


http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E00E1DB103DE433A25756C0A9619C94649ED7CF&oref=slogin


THE SANDY HOOK SQUATTERS; Some of Them Will Wait for the Government to Eject Them


July 5, 1895, Wednesday

Page 8, 1011 words

SANDY HOOK, N.J., July 4. -- The squatters on the Government reservation here who, under the lead of the old Seabright fisherman Scyses, refuse to obey the orders of the officers of the United States Engineer Corps to leave, are still determined that the Government shall make a show of force before they go.

[DarkSkies]

A few weeks ago I took the girlfriend to Sandy Hook. I had cabin fever, dying to get near the water. So we stopped along the way at Officer's Row and took the tour. It was pretty cool seeing how they lived years ago.

I think they give the tour every Sunday if anyone's lookin to find a way to check out the water and take the sweetheart along at the same time. :D

Anyone else have any pics of Sandy Hook from earlier years, history stuff, or Pirate stories,:viking: show what you got.

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[DarkSkies]

Officers quarters

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kitchen area


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more kitchen

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kitchen

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1st floor

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2nd floor

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2 fl

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end of day

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sunset

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The world in 1945?

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[DarkSkies]

Sandy Hook chapel

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[hookset]

Those are great pics. I have always wanted to see inside one of those. Open on Sunday's? I'll have to stop by.

[plugcrazy]

History of the lighthouse

Last Visited: October, 2001 History/Info:
Off the tip of Sandy Hook, NJ, is the oldest working lighthouse in the country.

It was designed and built in 1764 by Isaac Conro. The light was built to aid mariners entering the southern end of the New York harbor. It was originally called New York Lighthouse because it was funded through a New York Assembly lottery and a tax on all ships entering the Port of New York. Sandy Hook Light has endured the occupancy of British soldiers during the Revolutionary War and exposure to the elements on the end of Sandy Hook. The view of the New York skyline from the bridge crossing into the Hook illustrates the importance this light played in the history of New York harbor.

Sandy Hook Lighthouse is part of Gateway National Recreation Area at Sandy Hook, NJ. The Sandy Hook Lighthouse was restored in Spring 2000
Source: Town on Monmouth (http://www.shore.co.monmouth.nj.us/lighthouses/sandyhook.htm)
Hours:
The lighthouse is open for tours on weekends during May, June and July, and the grounds are open daily.

[lostatsea]

Jenny Bell wrecked near Sandy Hook December 28,1922, pretty neat story.


http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9B05E4DF1730E433A2575AC2A9649D946395D6CF

[hookedonbass]

Thanks, LAS, I was bored at work and your post inspired me to do some digging. I present Captain Kidd.




http://www.njhm.com/images/kidd.jpg


CAPTAIN KIDD ON THE RARITAN BAY

(Originally Published in Weird NJ (http://www.weirdnj.com/), Volume 14)

Click on Anything in Color to View Photo or Image

PIRATES IN CENTRAL JERSEY
Many people today are unaware of the role New Jersey, and especially the Raritan Bayshore, played in the lives of many pirate legends in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The waters between Sandy Hook and New York City were infested with pirates and French privateers, and many landing parties rowed on to shore or up the creeks and rivers of Central Jersey, including Wales Creek, Matawan Creek, Waycake Creek, and others.

Blackbeard (http://www.njhm.com/blackbeard.htm) attacked farmers and villages near what is today Middletown, and

Captain Morgan (http://www.njhm.com/morgan.htm) often visited the area. The Morgan section of Sayreville is said to have been named after relatives of the infamous pirate. A triad of politicians, businessmen, and ship owners who were either bribed by, or did business with the pirates, protected them. And the most famous pirate to ever trawl the Jersey waters was the notorious Captain Kidd.


THE LEGEND OF CAPTAIN KIDD
It was cold and rainy on the morning of May 23, 1701 in London, England; perfect weather for an execution. The convicted, William Kidd, was lead to the gallows, defiant to the end. The noose was placed around his neck and the wood block kicked out below him. But, instead of a hanging body, only the dangling end of a rope appeared above the gallows. The rope had broken and Kidd had fallen below to the ground. Unlike in the movies, this was not looked upon as an act of divine providence. It was looked upon as a sign of a poorly strung rope.

Kidd was promptly brought back to the gallows platform and the ritual was repeated. This time the rope held, and the career of the most famous, and probably ineffective, pirate in history died. The end of Kidd's life was only the beginning of his legend, for what most people remember him for are not his adventures, but his legendary buried treasure.

Captain Kidd was a resident of New York City when he traveled to England in 1695 in search of a commission in the Royal Navy. He was born around 1645 in Scotland, and after commanding a privateer ship in a successful expedition in the Caribbean, he established himself as a wealthy and politically connected colonist, and married a wealthy Monmouth County widow.

In May, 1696, Kidd set sail from England to New York City in his new ship, the "Adventure Galley". On the way, much of his crew was impressed (forcibly drafted) by a British Navy warship. This forced Kidd to recruit a new crew when he arrived in New York and to pay them a larger share of the profit than he expected. He promised the crew sixty percent of the booty taken, but unfortunately he had already promised sixty percent to his backers. With this inauspicious start, Kidd left for the Red Sea to seek his fortune.

In the spring of 1697, the "Adventure Galley" arrived in the Red Sea. Kidd quickly forgot about his primary mission, and ignored various pirates he encountered. He even docked in the same ports with some, making no attempt to apprehend them, as he was required by the license granted to him by the King. Kidd did try to keep to his promise to attack only French ships at first. However, his crew quickly tired of allowing rich ships of other nationalities to pass unmolested, and attempted a mutiny. It was during this revolt Kidd killed a gunner, William Moore, with a blow to the head, using a bucket as a weapon.

The crew backed down, but Kidd was forever changed by the incident, and began to attack ships no matter what their nationality or origin. He had officially become a pirate.

After attacking and capturing several ships, Kidd made his name in pirate lore with the capture of the "Quedah Merchant", a fabulously rich Indian ship traveling with silks, guns, spices and gold. He split some of the booty with his crew, scuttled the "Adventure Galley", and sailed for the Caribbean on the captured Indian vessel, now renamed the "Adventure Prize". On arrival, Kidd learned he been denounced as a pirate, and was wanted by the British government. After scuttling the ship, he purchased a small sloop and headed for Boston with a small crew and hoped to take care of the problem.

On the way to Boston, Kidd stopped at various locations in New Jersey, and dropped anchor off the coast of Monmouth County, in the Raritan Bay. From there he sent landing parties ashore to both New Jersey and New York City to fix his "pirate problem" with the government using his political connections and the proceeds of his captured booty. It was common practice for pirates to buy safety or pardons from corrupt colonial politicians. After bribing all the appropriate people, and hiding some of his treasure, Kidd left for Boston to meet with the governor.

Upon his arrival to Boston, Kidd was arrested by the new governor, a fairly honest man for his day, and imprisoned. He claimed to have hidden a treasure of 40,000 British Pounds, but rumors at the time put his missing treasure at 400,000 Pounds. Only 10,000 Pounds was ever recovered, and it was sent to England along with Kidd in early 1700.

In order to protect prominent backers and associates, Kidd was given a quick trial before the Admiralty Court, with limited evidence allowed by the court, and some evidence suppressed by the prosecution.

He was found guilty of the murder of William Moore and of piracy and was sentenced to be publicly hanged. He maintained his innocence to the end, and promised to retrieve his treasure to give it to his backers and the government if only they would release him and give him a ship.

Whether he was telling the truth, or just trying to save his neck, we will never know.

After his execution, Kidd's body (http://www.njhm.com/kiddsbody.htm) was covered with tar, bound with chains, and hung over the Thames River in London as a warning to all future pirates. It remained there for years until finally it rotted completely away.

http://www.njhm.com/captainkiddstory.htm

[hookedonbass]

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THE SEARCH FOR CAPTAIN KIDD'S BURIED TREASURE


Soon after Captain William Kidd's arrest, gold and other treasure worth about 10,000 Pounds was dug up on Gardiners Island off the coast of Long Island. Kidd left it there in the care of John Gardiner, who cooperated with British authorities in retrieving it (Amazingly, Gardiners Island is still privately owned by the Gardiner family after 400 years.). The finding of this treasure, along with Kidd's insistence of a fabulous treasure hidden elsewhere, began the never-ending search for the legendary buried treasure of Captain Kidd.


Although many places in New Jersey have been advanced as the site of Kidd's hidden treasure, four have a particularly strong claim.


One site is Cape May, where pirate and other ships often stopped because it was a source of fresh water.


Another possible location is an island that was located at the mouth of the Toms River an area that provided protection for pirates from the ocean elements.


A third area is Sandy Hook, near where Kidd anchored on his final voyage in Raritan Bay. This spot where the treasure was supposedly buried was marked by a grove of pine trees. These trees vanished long ago, as well as all memories of where they once stood.


Probably the most famous and plausible burial site was just north of Sandy Hook near Whales (Wales) Creek, which today is the Southeast border of Middlesex and Monmouth counties. Just off the shoreline was a small island where some 17th century Spanish gold coins were found. This island became known as Money Island (http://www.njhm.com/moneyisland.htm), and was located off the coast where Cliffwood Beach is today.


It has long since disappeared under the eroding waters of the Raritan Bay, aided by extensive excavation over the centuries. Just inland from this location is a small body of water once called Duck Pond, but now known as Treasure Lake (http://www.njhm.com/treasurelake.htm), where some additional gold coins were found. This is another nearby possible site of Kidd's treasure.


William S. Horner, the noted and esteemed Monmouth County historian who wrote early in the century, dismisses the Cliffwood Beach legend as "an old and worthless tradition." However he admits to seeing some of the recovered gold. :rolleyes:


What is not a legend, and cannot be disputed, was the existence of two gigantic elm trees, which were known as Kidd's Rangers. One was at the mouth of Matawan Creek (http://www.njhm.com/kiddsranger1.htm), in Keyport, and stood until the turn of this century. The other was located at Fox Hill, now known as Rose Hill (http://www.njhm.com/kiddsranger2.htm), which was 30 to 40 feet higher then now (It is an interesting coincidence that Rose Hill became a cemetery in the early 1700's and is considered one of the most haunted cemeteries in New Jersey).


These trees, according to legend, acted as range markers to guide Kidd back to his buried gold, and Cliffwood Beach is centered between these two markers when sailing west from Long Island. Horner confirms the existence of these trees, and remembers seeing the one at Matawan Creek in his youth.


To this day, you can still see people occasionally searching for treasure at Cliffwood Beach using shovels and medal detectors. On occasion some tiny bits of gold and silver are still found, but whether they are ancient or modern in age has not been determined.




THE LEGACY OF CAPTAIN KIDD
Before Captain William Kidd set sail for his final voyage from Raritan Bay to Boston, most of his remaining crew left with their shares of the booty, preferring not to take the risk of arrest. Some signed on to other ships, some went back to being pirates, and others settled down. Two of the latter we know stayed on in Monmouth County, New Jersey.


Around the time of Kidd's trail in England, a citizen of Middletown, New Jersey, named Moses Butterworth was arrested in Monmouth County. It was claimed that Butterworth had sailed with Kidd and participated in acts of piracy. The rule of law at the time called for him to be sent to New York, where he would be held until he could be sent to England for trial before the Admiralty Court, which had jurisdiction in piracy cases.


Instead, the newly appointed and highly unpopular governor of New Jersey determined a local court in Middletown would try Butterworth. The trial was scheduled to be held at a building originally built as in 1670 as a blockhouse (fort) to protect the surrounding inhabitants from Indians during King Phillip's War. It was later converted to a jail and courthouse when the danger of attack passed.


On the day of the trial, a mob of 50 people, some indignant citizens defending the rule of law, others possibly former pirates coming to the aid of crew mate, burst into the courtroom where they took the governor prisoner until the accused could make good his escape. Due to the people's anger, and the weak legal argument of a local court conducting a trial for piracy, no action against members of the mob was taken. Moses Butterworth disappeared somewhere in the direction of Raritan Bay, where he was never seen again, or at least never identified.


Years later some people spoke of an old man who lived alone in the Highlands overlooking Sandy Hook, and it was speculated, but never proven, that he was the missing pirate.


Another reformed pirate mate of Captain Kidd who settled in Monmouth County was William Leeds. He became a respected citizen, who was known for his wealth and his generosity.


Although some said he knew where Kidd's treasure was buried, and that accounted for his wealth, most people felt he had just invested his ill-gotten money wisely. Upon his death he left his entire estate of 438 acres where Thompson Park and Brookdale Community College is today to Christ Church in Shrewsbury (http://www.njhm.com/christchurchs.htm), and Christ Church in Middletown (http://www.njhm.com/christchurchm.htm), which at that time were one church, but have since separated.


These two churches still benefit financially from the land Leeds bequeathed to them. He is buried at the Shrewbury church (http://www.njhm.com/leedsgrave.htm). His grave is next to the tower (http://www.njhm.com/leedsgravesite.htm) at the north side of the church. Some sources say this church once possessed Leed's sea chest, which they occasionally exhibited, but no one at the church today admits to any knowledge of it.


The church in Middletown is the basis of one of the more interesting legends about Captain Kidd. Carved in the plaster above the pulpit is a small cross (http://www.njhm.com/kiddscross.htm). According to legend, Captain Kidd carved this cross with his sword during a visit there, but this would seem to be impossible. The original church at this site was not built until 1702, a year after Kidd's death, and the current church building was completed in 1836, albeit around the framework of the original. However, to this day no one has forwarded a plausible explanation for the cross, or why it is carved there.


This is not this church's only connection with pirates. Both the original and subsequent buildings used the foundation of the blockhouse where Moses Butterworth was imprisoned and tried, and where other pirates were held before extradition to New York City and then England for trial. Also, a fierce battle between Middletown residents and Blackbeard and his pirates, on a raiding foray for supplies, took place along King's Highway outside the current church location. This historical legacy of pirates existed through the 250th anniversary of Christ Church in Middletown, when parishioners dressed as pirates "raided" Christ Church in Shrewsbury and carried back historical treasures owned jointly by the two churches to use during the celebration.


POSTSCRIPT
These days one can once again walk along the sand and grass of the Raritan Bayshore from South Amboy to Sandy Hook, with only occasional sightings of modern life, as parks and nature areas replace docks and warehouses. Although it will never again look the same as in the year 1700, at least now one can again see what drew the early settlers to this area.


The calm waters of the bay, the many creeks and streams, and the good soil and moderate temperature gave them safe harbors, water for drinking and to power their mills, and abundant food. One can also see how close New York City was, but how isolated they would feel without today's paved highways, bridges and commuter railroads. There were only two ways to travel in 1700, slowly on dirt paths through dangerous woods, or more easily over waters teeming with pirates. Looking out on the calm Raritan Bay lit my moonlight on a brisk October, one can see why the early settlers more often than not walked.....


http://www.njhm.com/captainkiddstory.htm


.

[DarkSkies]

A pirate ship came in the other night. Good thing I had a friend with me, otherwise I would have thought this was a flashback from all the drugs I did back in the day. ;) :bong2:


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[clamchucker]

Great stories and narrative here, guys. The Raritan Bay has a shadowy early history. There were lots of things that went on in those towns back in the early to mid 1900s. There was a house of ill repute or 2, and I remember reading quite a few drug smuggling reports as I was growing up. Pirates were before my time, but they certainly played a part over there. Good read.

[buckethead]

Those are some incredible pics and stories. Every since I was a lad I was interested in Pirate stories. I'll have to recall my old time favorites and put them up.

[buckethead]

I found some.



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[buckethead]

Hook, Line & Sinker

2009 January 30



by JP

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/390537_41514_24eef56d24_p.jpg?w=600&h=776 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/390537_41514_24eef56d24_p.jpg)
Sandy Hook is one of our favorite local escapes– great beaches, hiking and history. There’s quite a bit of fishing to be had, and great seafood all around. One trip last summer, we tried a section of beach we hadn’t been to before… those cryptic bumper-stickers extolling the virtues of ‘no tan lines’ should have tipped me off. Needless to say, we quickly moved on.


http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/crw_1858_8x10_cc_final.jpg?w=600&h=750 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/crw_1858_8x10_cc_final.jpg)
Sandy Hook Lighthouse, the oldest continually operating lighthouse in the United States, is activated on June 11, 1764 by New York merchants to protect their shipping industry– therefore it was originally called New York Lighthouse.

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/223209003_b9422bb1ab_o.jpg?w=600&h=802 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/223209003_b9422bb1ab_o.jpg)
There are guided tours of the Sandy Hook lighthouse. It’s incredible how thick the lower walls are– you can practically lay down in the bottom window wells– if they were to let you, that is.

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/2496403839_18834e7a72_o.jpg?w=600&h=433 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/2496403839_18834e7a72_o.jpg)
In 1817, the U.S. Army acquires entire peninsula from the Hartshorne family. Throughout Sandy Hook’s history, it’s key location has made it an important military fortification and artillery proving ground.

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/1935-sandyhook-01.jpg?w=600&h=418 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/1935-sandyhook-01.jpg)
From 1941-45, Fort Hancock serves as a major staging area for troops going to Europe in World War II and becomes headquarters for all New York Harbor defenses. The fort reaches its greatest population of about 12,000 military and civilian personnel.

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/1402972_205466_a54ff9a351_p.jpg?w=600&h=400 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/1402972_205466_a54ff9a351_p.jpg)
An outstanding architectural landmark of the post is the long line of quarters known as “Officers Row”, built between 1897-99 in the Colonial Revival style. Each of the eighteen homes housed a U.S. Army officer and his family.

http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/hancock2.jpg?w=600&h=907 (http://theselvedgeyard.files.wordpress.com/2009/01/hancock2.jpg)
General Winfield Scott Hancock, after whom Fort Hancock at Sandy Hook is named. A West Point grad in 1844, who fought with distinction the Mexican War and Civil War– a true hero and fearless in battle. Hancock was a democratic presidential nominee in 1880, but felt it was undignified for a soldier to campaign for votes. Legend has it his only slogan referred to the Civil War and was– “Vote the way you shot!” It is said he narrowly lost the election only because he campaigned so little.












http://theselvedgeyard.wordpress.com/2009/01/30/hook-line-sinker/

[porgy75]

Wow, thanks for posting that.

[baitstealer]

early ships and some other stuff.

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?_r=1&res=9E06E0D71E39E333A2575BC2A96E9C946196D6CF

[plugcrazy]

Some reference to Capt Kidd:


Sandy Hook is located at the intersection of the New Jersey shore with the ancient valley of the combined Raritan and Hudson Rivers now flooded as Raritan Bay. Sandy Hook is a spit built by the northward longshore drift of sand along the Jersey Coast, supplemented by sediments derived from the Shrewsbury and Navesink Rivers estuary (Figure 176). Both Giovanni da Verrazano and Henry Hudson described going ashore on the spit. Historical legend reports that the pirate, Captain Kidd, supposedly buried treasure which remains undiscovered. This natural barrier to the harbor has a long military history, and is the site of numerous maritime disasters and heroic rescue operations. Massive armored fortifications of Fort Hancock were built at the end of the 19th century as deterrents for foreign invasions following the Spanish American War. Most of the construction occurred between 1894 and 1910. Fort Hancock was the site of Nike nuclear missile batteries built in the 1950s. The fort was decomissioned in 1972 and given to the National Park Service for inclusion into Gateway National Recreation Area; only a small portion of the point is still a part of a U.S. Coast Guard facility.

http://www.newind.org/2006/hookHistory/fig176.jpg

[dogfish]

^^ "Avast, ye scalawags, I'm capt Kidd and I've come for your liquor and women, give me yer gold and I'll just take the wimmen"
Looking at some of the women back in the 1800s, I think ya would need a lot of liquor to get into those pan-ta-loons.:plastered:

[captnemo]

This is one of the most informative threads I have seen on Sandy Hook. Here is some recent history. Honoring the veterans, in case anyone has an interest.


Nike veterans reunite on Sandy HookPublished: Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 2:17 PMhttp://media.nj.com/avatars/10444441.png (http://connect.nj.com/user/RSpahr/index.html)By Rob Spahr / NJ.com (http://connect.nj.com/user/RSpahr/posts.html)

Sandy Hook’s military history dates back to the American Revolution, when the British used the peninsula - ideally located at the mouth of Lower New York Bay - as a base for its massive naval fleet.
As the nation’s military advanced – from the Civil War through the Cold War – so too did Sandy Hook as it eventually served as a military installation for an anti-aircraft missiles, specifically the Nike Ajax and the Nike Hercules.

On Wednesday, dozens of veterans who served at Nike installations during the Cold War era, including Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock, reunited at the national park to remember their years of service and to honor the sacrifices of others.
“Something that often gets overlooked is how these veterans were truly the first line of defense for our country at that time,” Pete McCarthy, the coordinator of the Sandy Hook unit of the National Park Service, said of the Nike veterans. “This was a chance for us to recognize them.”

The reunion started at Fork Hancock’s Guardian Park with the raising of an American flag and then a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of the 10 people who were killed in the May 1958 missile explosion at the nearby Nike site in Leonardo. That ceremony also honored the 28 Air Force personnel who were killed when an Air Force Texas Tower defense radar station collapsed off of the Jersey Shore in 1961.

Park historian Tom Hoffman gave the veterans a quick recap of Sandy Hook’s rich military history and then invited them to spend the day touring the park together.
“You are part of that big story of the defense of the United States,” Hoffman told the veterans.
The reunion was scheduled to conclude with a banquet in Keyport (http://www.nj.com/keyport) on Wednesday night.

This was the first-ever East Coast reunion for the Alaska Nike Vets Association, park officials said, but it was open to all Nike veterans regardless of where they were stationed.

So many of the veterans, like Illinois resident Ray Kepka, travelled hundreds of miles to be part of it.
Kepka was stationed at Sandy Hook from 1965 to 1969 as a radar operator for the U.S. Army.
“The area around here has changed a lot since then, but Sandy Hook is exactly the same,” said Kepka, 68.

Like many of the veterans who served at the Nike sites, Kepka was constantly on call. Whenever a suspicious plane or warnings of potential attacks occurred, even in the middle of the night, Kepka would rush to Sandy Hook to help mount a defense.
On many of those nights, Kepka’s wife was the one who drove him there.
“It was very scary, because we would have to drop them off there and then go on with the rest of our day,” Sandy Kepka said of life as an Army wife.

This was only the second time in nearly a half century that Kepka has returned to Sandy Hook, and the first Nike reunion that he ever took part in.
“When I first got out of the Army, it was during the Vietnam era and none of us could ever really wear our uniforms out in public because of how people felt about the military at that time,” he said. “It is terrific to see how much things have changed and to be part of something like this.”

Robert Latsch, Jr. served on Sandy Hook as a member of the Army Reserves for a decade, from 1975 to 1985. His father helped make the Nike missiles at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, Union County (http://www.nj.com/union).
So the 73-year-old Belford (http://www.nj.com/belford) resident said he did not want to miss Wednesday’s reunion because he felt like it was an important part of his history as well as the nation’s.
“This is the kind of thing that people have to know about, especially young people and especially about Sandy Hook,” Latsch said. “This place is a jewel.”


http://www.nj.com/monmouth/index.ssf/2012/09/nike_veterans_reunite_on_sandy_hook.html

[captnemo]

end of day

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I like that flag flying framed in that window. You are a true patriot, dark.

[plugcrazy]

A pirate ship came in the other night.

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That's cool! I was out there this summer and saw this sailing ship. In a fog like that you could def imagine it was a pirate ship come up from the deep to reclaim that pirate gold.


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[buckethead]

Things are nothing like they used to be. Does anyone remember fishing from the Sea Bright wall? Those were the days.

[jigfreak]

Things are nothing like they used to be. Does anyone remember fishing from the Sea Bright wall? Those were the days.


Thanks for ruining my day bucket.:(
I haven't fished the hook in ages. Mostly because it has gone downhill. The cuts and points are nowhere like they used to be. Check out this pic I found on the net. SH in the 80's. Looks nothing like that now, but it used to.

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[finchaser]

I

[VSdreams]

haha even in 1895 they were rebellious!

[storminsteve]

God SH has undergone some changes since Sandy! Was driving down officers row last week and saw all those porches propped up by beams. Seems the state of disrepair is very bad. I wouldn't mind paying double for he night permit if the money def went to fixing those majestic buildings.
Found a cool license plate the other day

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=18554&stc=1

[VSdreams]

Here is a pretty good historical overview of how sandy hook came to be, and the settling of the highlands area. I did not realize that sandy hook was not always there but instead was created by shiftinig north flowing sands.

http://www.sandyhookbaymarina.com/historic.html

[DarkSkies]

Sandy Hook memories.....

August for me used to be a very exciting month....
When I fished fresh water a lot and snuck into many of the state's reservoirs to fish....the action would slow in August....and I would gravitate toward the saltwater bays and rivers.....

We're going back decades, when I exclusively fished bait in the salt.
I remember going to Sandy Hook....
When the "Real" Hook was there and extended out (about) 100' feet more than it does today....The channel was right at your feet.....one half-cast and you were in 30' of water....
No fancy lures or plugs needed.....

Just a seine net to seine the abundant spearing.....no fancy bucktails.....just a simple weight with dropper loop above....hook a few fresh spearing from the contractor's apron you had around your waist.....a few jig strokes in the channel....and you were into a multitude of fish....schoolie bass, small blues, weakfish, and fluke, with 1 in 10 being a keeper......

If some get irritated with my ranting here about the current state of the fishery...
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?7784-StripersandAnglers-yearly-coastwide-fish-stock-assessment-state-of-the-fishery
....This is my recollection of how things used to be....15-20 years ago....
When it really didn't seem that hard to catch fish....most of us weren't concerned whether there were a lot of them or not...because of the abundance in front of us.......
This was not only possible....but easy....as long as you had fresh spearing......

These fish were there in large amounts.....none of us had to expend too much effort to catch them....(Try catching all those species now...in the middle of a hot August day..)..from any NJ surfline.......an almost impossible feat, given the current state of things.....

I bring these memories up....
to try to share with some of the newer anglers out there....why some of us are so passionate (or Grouchy) :rolleyes: when we talk about the way things they used to be....

And to try to give the newer folks out there....
1. A sense of why we fight so hard for the access we are losing....

Yes, it is much different than what I remember 15-20 years ago....or even 5-8 years ago....
I hope some of you people out there....can get some understanding from some of the memories we're sharing here....

:fishing:

[cowherder]

Great thread guys thanks for sharing.

[surfrob]

two distinctive Sandy Hook memories for me:

1. was fishing on one of the groins that used be be prominent near the first lot, pre-"replenishment", with a friend. was brand new to the salt, fishing squid for "fluke" using a 3 way and 2 oz pyramid sinker. Friend casting one side of the end, me on the other. I went to cast and planted that pyramid square in the middle of his back on the forward cast. He has the scar to this day, is still my friend, but for some strange reason never wanted to fish with me again. Just put your time in, they said, put your time in....

2. had an old pontiac (Poor Old Newyawkers Thought It's A Cadillac) station wagon, loaded with the wife and kids... day on the beach, fishing, whatever.
turn the key when ready to leave and engine goes "whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr', never turned over but spun like a top. Only time I had a timing *chain* break on me.

ok, carry on. Fishing, ah yes. Wait, what?

[storminsteve]

two distinctive Sandy Hook memories for me:

1. I went to cast and planted that pyramid square in the middle of his back on the forward cast. He has the scar to this day, is still my friend, but for some strange reason never wanted to fish with me again.

Ouch! I know a sinker would hurt, but a bud would eventually forgive you. Does he fish anymore at all? Or just not with you? As for the pontiac station wagon I rememer when I was a kid I would see a lot of them in the summer and at the beach. No more. Can't remember the last time I saw a station wagon. That must have been pretty cool.

[surfrob]

My buddy actually doesn't fish any longer for a variety of reasons, health being one. He continued to fish, and I continued to fish, just (I should have added...) not together on the end of a jetty :D :D

Yeah, the old wagons were a trip but for the most part supplanted by the minivans that were "invented" (or perhaps "popularized", if I recall)
by Ford (not including the VW microbus LOL).

This old pontiac had the back seat that folded down for storage, or popped up and faced rear, had the rear electric window that lowered.
Kids use to love riding back there. Of course, now considered too dangerous (and compared to the passenger compartments of today's
cars, it was)

[buckethead]

I don't fish sandy hook anymore Rob but your post brought back a lot of memories. Go back 30 years or so and the Park was a different place. You could definitely find a few of those station wagons filled with families and screaming children eager to a day of recreation at the beach. A neighbor of ours, old time fisherman, used to have a station wagon with the wood sides. They were called woodys. He fished from Perth Amboy to Cape May. The back of his station wagon looked like a tackle shop with shelves and compartments he hand built out of 2x4's to hold all his fishing gear.

Great memories thank you for sharing.

[hookset]

That post about the old wagons was like a time capsule. Photo I saw online today from 1973.

[ledhead36]

Mustang wagon bet that thing took off like a bat! Thanks for sharing.

[captnemo]

A pirate ship came in the other night. Good thing I had a friend with me, otherwise I would have thought this was a flashback from all the drugs I did back in the day. ;) :bong2:


7035

7036

7037

7038

That ship might have been moored there overnight in preparation for the trip to NY Harbor and the tall ships thing they had. It does look a little spooky at night in the fog like that though. Nice pic.

[captnemo]

The wife and I did a tour of Keyport for Halloween. They talked about Captain Kidd. It was pretty fascinating so I decided to dig up some further info here.


Captain Kidd Believe it or not, there is treasure to be found on the beaches of New Jersey. Centuries ago, pirates roamed the shores of New Jersey and buried some of their treasure here. Captain Kidd's treasure chest is the most sought-after bounty on the coast.
William Kidd was born around 1645 in Scotland. He loved the ocean and adventure, and in 1689 Kidd captained a privateer ship for England. As captain, Kidd became wealthy by protecting English ships and attacking French ships. After his service ended, he moved to New York City and became a private captain. He also bought beach houses along the northeastern seaboard and rented them to people.

During this period, however, the governors of New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts were having problems with pirates. Because they were aware of Captain Kidd's prowess at fighting ships, they asked him to protect the coast from the buccaneers. He agreed to help the three states, and once again he was protecting ships on the high seas.

At this point in his life, Kidd was an upstanding, law-abiding citizen. In 1695 he received a privateer license for England, which permitted him to sail his own ship to protect the East India Company's fleet. The East India Company was an English business that traded goods with India. Captain Kidd's job was to attack French and pirate ships and take their cargos.
Captain Kidd named his privateer ship Adventure Galley. In order to find a crew, he first sailed from England to New York City, where he promised his chosen sailors portions of whatever treasure they captured. Captain Kidd then sailed to the Red Sea, which is near Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

Upon arriving in the Middle East, however, Kidd spared many French and pirate ships. Instead, he and his crew attacked and looted wealthy ships from different countries. When his crew attempted a mutiny, Captain Kidd killed one of his crewmembers. After the murder, the crew abandoned all other attempts at mutiny.

This piracy marked a turning point for Captain Kidd. Soon he began attacking ships regardless of their countries of origin, including French vessels and other pirate ships. He solidified his new reputation as a pirate by attacking the Indian ship Quediah Merchant, which carried silks, gold, spices, weapons, and other riches well beyond imagination.

Captain Kidd and his crew commandeered the Quediah Merchant and renamed it the Adventure Prize. They sailed to the Caribbean, and while docked in Port Royale, the captain realized that he was now considered a pirate. He also learned that the British were hunting him, so he bought a new ship and moved his loot onto it. Captain Kidd then sailed to New York City to try to clear his name.

During his voyage, Kidd docked several times along the New Jersey coastline, where he used his political connections and wealth to make sure no one turned him in to the authorities. Soon afterwards the captain sailed for Boston, and upon his arrival, the governor arrested him for piracy. He was sent to England, given a quick trial, convicted of piracy, and sentenced to death for his crimes. British authorities covered him with tar, chained him, and hung his body off a bridge over the Thames River in London where it stayed until it rotted away.

[captnemo]

The Keyport and Whales Creek connection



Probably the most famous and plausible burial site was just north of Sandy Hook near Whales (Wales) Creek, which today is the southeast border of Middlesex and Monmouth counties.

Just off the shoreline was a small island where some 17th century Spanish gold coins were found. This island became known as Money Island, and was located off the coast where Cliffwood Beach is today. It has long since disappeared under the eroding waters of the Raritan Bay, aided by extensive excavation over the centuries. Just inland from this location is a small body of water once called Duck Pond, but now known as Treasure Lake, where some additional gold coins were found.


What is not a legend, and cannot be disputed, was the existence of two gigantic elm trees, which were known as Kidd?s Rangers. One was at the mouth of Matawan Creek, in Keyport, and stood until the turn of this century. The other was located at Fox Hill, now known as Rose Hill. These trees, according to legend, acted as range markers to guide Kidd back to his buried gold, and Cliffwood Beach is centered between these two markers when sailing west from Long Island.


To this day, you can still see people occasionally searching for treasure at Cliffwood Beach using shovels and medal detectors. On occasion some tiny bits of gold and silver are sill found, but whether they are ancient or modern in age has not been determined.

http://weirdnj.com/stories/mystery-history/captain-kidd/

[cowherder]

That is pretty cool. The next time I go to Sandy hook I will think of the pirates that might have walked those same areas. Interesting to hear about the possible buried pirate treasure in Keyport and Cliffwood Beach as well. I had never heard that. Thank you for sharing.

[buckethead]

Really interesting things you guys are posting. I used to fish up there a lot but things have changed and I fish it less. Nice to read the different stories though. Keep em coming.

[DarkSkies]

From the finchaser fishing hole thread...
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?10179-Finchaser-fishing-hole
The jetties and inlets were all they needed to catch some fish....
Many a night they would be out there for the duration.......

He and his pals also fished all up and down the Coast.....
Many NJ places included....among them Sandy Hook to Island Beach.

The following are some of the spots that some of these Old Farts have fished in their travels, at one time or another.....
You can see the old Sandy Hook long jetty, oceanside, in the bottom pic.

[ledhead36]

Video of some of the officers row houses and the surrounding coves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDh43oDhh1I

another one, heads up the audio is really lame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7w9rhKVSy4

[baitstealer]

Was on the net today and found this, pirates creed-
I was born on the crest of a wave and rocked in the cradle of the deep. Me mother was a mermaid and me father was King Neptune. I can only sleep when bunked by a bulkhead. I'm a shipmate, matey, so I never swill me grog wit no lubber. I'll fight the devil himself to slip the noose 'n keep me secrets till me bones is in Davy Jone's locker. I's hard is is, I am, I are! When I spits I spit tar.

[storminsteve]

Cool vids thank you for sharing.

[Monty]

Wondering around out there at the Hook around 4:00 AM with a crazy friend and looked in here.... a few bats inside.


http://i1.wp.com/rocksimpson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014_6_2_Bunker.jpg

[buckethead]

The Hook is such a place of history. Don't go up there any more since they changed the beaches. DS the jetty you posted was only part of it. Monty the area of the concrete bunkers used to hold a tremendous amount of small bass and large weakfish. That was long before skeleton island got eroded by the hurricanes and harsh winters. There were ferry landings, other docks, and lots of structure to pitch artificials from. Also the highlands bridge changed immensely since they built the new one. Then there were the nights we would take turns walking eels up at the real tip of the Hook. Those were fun times. This is a good thread. Brings back a lot of memories.

[captnemo]

Something I found on the net. Highland Beach. Contains a good bit of early history. By Chris Brenner.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/2015/06/sandy-hook-lost-resort-revived-on-video/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RxlCbv1JkQ

[DarkSkies]

I wanted to give a belated thanks to FinnsNGrinns, Jeff, for starting this.

Since then, you folks have done a great job of adding to it. I don't remember if I gave thanks to Jeff before. I knew him for quite a while, back when we used to fish the nasty weather early Spring down through the fence in Keyport. Early season clamming for bass is not that much fun in bad weather, and it can be hit or miss. Jeff always had a kind or positive word, no matter which knuckleheads came down there to mug us. :thumbsup:

One of the most memorable times was when I first met him.....
It was a cold, wet, rainy morning in March. There were really no fish that weekend. We were there anyway, freezing our asses off........chucking clams hoping for an early miracle keeper bass.

As he left, we were both cold...the wet freezing rain had turned our lips blue......
He gave me his gloves to wear, so I could still fish....When I declined, he insisted I take them....and knowingly said we would meet up one day soon after that...and I could give them back to him then......
This to a guy who he barely knew.....all these years later it still leaves an impression on me....of guys from my generation and older....who were real class acts.......

These were people who you wanted to be around.....because they were true sportsmen, and respected the outdoors, the environment.....always bringing any trash home with them....and behaving respectfully like most of us were brought up at that time (I got beat with a belt if I didn't behave....)

We lost touch over the years....next time I saw him he said he had a heart attack...he was early 40's at the time....and the next news I heard about him...was that he had passed away.......

He was a good guy......very soft spoken, but a lot of wisdom to listen to.
He loved fishing the back bays, Sandy Hook, was also in a few fly fishing groups...
He even made me a few custom plugs out of broomsticks...which caught fish.....
I miss him....:(








I think it's appropriate in this Holiday Season, and end of year as we reflect on the lives we have lived this year...to bring up a reminder that sometimes we lose touch with our old pals....folks go their separate ways......
That's part of life....but let's not take for granted.....that those we lose touch with.....will always be here....because they won't...


I say this, because I have made this very mistake several times in my life.....and know we all do it....getting caught up in the busyness....telling ourselves "we'll make that call, make that visit...during Holiday time"...because many of us lead busy lives.....and often lose sight that another year has gone by........

Let's keep that in the back of our minds.......and remember that as folks we know get older...life becomes a revolving game of musical chairs for some of them....who is the next one who will be called home to God?
We can't really say....we can't count on them being around tomorrow....

Better to reach out today....even if only a text or phone call......
Try it....
I promise ya's...you'll be glad ya did...:)



**RIP Jeff...thanks for your unselfishness...and the way you extended yourself to others....my life is better for having met ya....I hope there are striped bass and trout streams in Heaven....Pal.....I pray that God continues to watch over your family members that are still here.....

[J Barbosa]

Something I found on the net. Highland Beach. Contains a good bit of early history. By Chris Brenner.
http://www.redbankgreen.com/2015/06/sandy-hook-lost-resort-revived-on-video/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RxlCbv1JkQ


This is video is a must watch for anyone who has ever fished SH. Ever since I started fishing SH I was always curious about that old house near the bridge. It's amazing to think what it has survived.

I can't believe the hook use to look like that.

[basshunter]

Awesome video thanks for posting.

[hookset]

One of the greatest things about the hook was the Highlands Bridge. Go back 15-20 years and the biggest fish in moco would come from the bridge and the see bright gauntlet. Really miss those days. Thank you for sharing that.

[surfrob]

fascinating video.

The new bridge wiped out several good money spots, changing the current and channels.

[buckethead]

You are right on the money about that. I posted that in the other thread before I read your comments.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?3023-Highlands-bridge-blink-and-you-ll-miss-it

[porgy75]

fascinating video.

The new bridge wiped out several good money spots, changing the current and channels.



I've heard so many stories about that. Wish I could have been around to see some of those stripers that you guys were catching back then.

[jigfreak]

good thread. Might actually get the night pass this season for the first time in years.

[captnemo]

I really enjoy reading this from time to time when it bumps to the top. I remember when access to the point was free and you didn't need a night fishing pass. Long time ago. Also when there were jetties along the front side. The beach replenishment changed a lot of that. And not for the better.