Jersey Shore Magazine

J e r s e y s h o r e • s p r i n g 2 0 1 5 12 12 BEACHCOMBER continued from page 11 SANDY UPDATE I t's been more than two-and-a- half years since Superstorm Sandy wreaked havoc along the Jersey Shore. While many residents continue to pick up the pieces of their lives, the storm still has a sneaky way of letting us know that she was here. It's like she is playing "Show & Tell," because when we least expect it, something new is revealed along the shore and a new story is told. The Strength Under The Sand The first major discovery occurred during the actual storm in October 2012, when a long-forgotten revet- ment wall in Bay Head was uncov- ered by the storm. The sea wall aided in sparing Bay Head additional dam- age. Most residents were unaware of its presence and were surprised to learn about the wall. According to the National Science Foundation, the 4,134-foot rock wall was built in 1882 and was hidden under the dunes and sand. Compared to the neighboring town of Mantoloking, which suffered three ocean breaches and almost complete devastation from the wind and ocean overwash, Bay Head was spared sim- The Superstorm's "Show & Tell" Looking south near Johnson Street in Bay Head after the storm. With the beach washed away, a one hundred fifty-year-old revetment wall became exposed. The rock seawall was under the dunes and helped retain and protect the beach from erosion. David Turton Photography ilar damage because of the rock wall, which absorbed the ocean surge. Today, the wall is being elongated, partially funded by residents them- selves. Large rocks continue to be trucked in every day and are added to the existing revetment. When com- plete, Bay Head residents may sleep a bit easier knowing they have an extra layer of protection from the Atlantic. The Twelve-Mile Journey During the last few days of 2012 after the Superstorm, a powerful nor'easter pounded the Jersey Shore and, as a result, the beaches became littered with debris. Beach badges, stuffed animals, benches, sinks, bricks, ductwork, fishing rods, toilets, boardwalk planks, parts of arcade games, boardwalk lights—you name it—it was on the beach. Most of the debris was caused by Sandy yet stayed at sea until the December nor'easter finally brought it to shore. Near the mouth of the Manasquan Inlet at Jenkinson's North beach, one large piece of debris caught the eye of many scavengers: a solid metal boardwalk ride car. The red, sparkly car was so heavy that it could not be moved by human hands. After some research, it was discovered that the car originated from the Arctic Circle ride on Funtown Pier in Seaside Park. Two months after Sandy, it miracu- This boardwalk ride car originated from the Arctic Circle ride on Funtown Pier in Seaside Park. Two months after Sandy, it reappeared on a beach twelve miles north near the mouth of the Manasquan Inlet at Jenkinson's North beach. Jill Ocone

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