Fort Miles is a WW2 era coastal defense base protecting the entrance to the Delware Bay, which leads to Philadelphia and the Naval Ship Yard. The fort contained a series of 11 coastal watch towers from 50 to 64 feet in height on both the Delaware and New Jersey sides of the bay.
Tower 1 - Bethany Beach DE
Tower 2 - Indian River DE
Tower 3 - Dewey Beach DE
Tower 4 - Dewy Beach DE
Tower 5 - Lewes / Rehoboth DE
Tower 6 - Lewes / Rehoboth DE
Tower 7 - Lewes DE
Tower 8 - Broadkill Beach, DE
Tower 9 - Cape May NJ
Tower 10 - Wildwood Gables NJ
Tower 11 - North Wildwood NJ
These Towers were used for spotting, and targeting triangulation for the coastal defense artillery on either side of the bay. The main guns for the base were 12" and 16" battleship guns that could cover the entire width of the bay from either shore. In addition to the main guns, there were smaller field guns, anti-aircraft artillery, and remotely operated sea mines. Perhaps because of the strength of these defenses, the batteries never fired a shot in anger during the war. The most noteworthy military action was the capture of German U-Boat U-858 on May 14, 1945 following the German surrender.
Prior to WW2, Delaware Bay coastal defense forts were farther up into the bay, limited by the range of the guns of their day. Fort Saulsbury was in Slaughter Beach Delaware, active from 1917-1946. Fort Mott Finns Point - Pennsville NJ, was active during various time periods in the 1860s, 1872, and 1896 - 1943.
Fort Miles today is part of Cape Henlopen State Park. The Fort has static displays of artillery pieces, a museum located within old Battery 519, a series of old bunkers, and a watchtower that is open for visitors.
