Open fires are prohibited throughout the park from midnight to 4 p.m. through April 30 per the 4 p.m. Burning Law. This includes wood and charcoal. Gas is permissible. Campground fires are allowed during the restricted time if a camp host is on duty and signage to that effect is posted in the campground. Failure to observe the 4 p.m. Burning Law can result in a fine. Contact the Park Office for additional information.

Read Our Blogs

Kiptopeke's Breakwater

By Andrew SporrerPosted January 03, 2019

 

Last updated on February 08, 2024

Learn about the famous Kiptopeke State Park breakwater. 

Perhaps one of Virginia State Parks' most recognizable features, few people are familiar with the impressive history of the 100-meter long concrete ships.

Kiptopeke State Park's famous concrete fleet.  Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The US Maritime Commission ordered the ships in 1942 during a steel shortage brought on by the second world war. Steel was scarce, but concrete was inexpensive and readily available. The contract was awarded to McCloskey and Co. and construction began in July of 1943 in Tampa, FL. All in all, two dozen concrete ships were built and served throughout WWII. Two of the ships even saw combat missions. The S.S. David O. Saylor and the S.S. Vitruvius made their way to England in support roles preparing for D-Day, and then sailed to the shores of Normandy where they were sunk as part of the artificial harbor and docks to transport supplies ashore. Their hulls remain underwater there today. The nine ships that make up the breakwater at Kiptopeke all served as transport and training vessels in the South Pacific.

Kiptopeke's breakwater featured on the Science Channel's Impossible Engineering.  Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

After the war ended and the ships made their way to domestic ports, nine were scuttled in 1948 to protect the booming Little Creek-Cape Charles Ferry terminal. At one point, it was thought that Kiptopeke would develop to the scale of Cape Charles, but when the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was completed in 1964, a vehicle ferry was no longer needed, and ridership quickly fell off. The ferry terminal at Kiptopeke was closed, and the ferries were moved further north to Delaware, where they were in higher demand.

Discovery's Science Channel visits Kiptopeke's breakwater for feature in Impossible Engineering program.  Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

The breakwater at Kiptopeke remains undisturbed mainly by time and protects the beach and pier now owned by Kiptopeke State Park. In the summer, kayak rentals are available through the park, and boaters can paddle out and around (but not between) the ships.

Detailed image of Kiptopeke's breakwater illustrates how time and the elements have eroded the concrete hulls of the nine McCloskey ships.  Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore.

To learn more about the concrete ships, check out these sources referenced below.

Concrete Ships | Wikipedia | Atlas Obscura | Abandoned Country 

Click here to learn more about Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's Eastern Shore to help plan your visit. The park offers two and three-bedroom cabins, six-bedroom lodges, RV and tent camping, a yurt (part cabin-part tent), and a bunkhouse.

Guests also enjoy the park's boat ramp, lighted fishing pier, picnic areas, 5.1 miles of hiking and biking trails, playground, beach bathhouse and swimming beach. Seasonal interpretive and educational programs focus on natural history, birding and bay ecology.

PARKS
CATEGORIES
SHARE THIS PAGE

If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.

By Park