Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
16-inch Gun
Coastal Defense Giant
When Fort Miles was completed, its two 16-inch guns were some of the largest artillery ever engineered by the United States and were placed here to defend the coastline from enemy battleships.
This particular gun barrel is Barrel 371, and like the other guns which can be found throughout the artillery park, it is not original to Fort Miles. It was removed from the Iowa-class Navy battleship, BB-63 the USS Missouri or "Big MO." These were the largest battleships the United States ever built. It carried nine 16-inch guns on its deck. Barrel 371 was mounted near the table where the Japanese delegation signed surrender documents on September 2, 1945, ending World War II.
The two 16-inch guns were actually placed here did not sit outside like this. They were casemated (placed inside) in Battery Smith. Battery Smith is not open to the public, but its entrance can be seen behind the Biden Environmental Center just south of here.
[Caption:]
This photo shows the Japanese surrender onboard the USS Missouri. Barrel 371 is the center barrel in the lower turret.
Erected by Delaware State Parks.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles
this page online
Location. 38° 46.654′ N, 75° 5.272′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Cape Henlopen State Park. Marker can be reached from Dune Road, half a mile east of Campground Road, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Proof Steel (here, next to this marker); 8-inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); 6-inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); 155mm Gun (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Great Dune (about 400 feet away); The Cape Henlopen Lighthouse (about 400 feet away); Fort Miles Artillery Park (about 400 feet away); Aircraft Warning System (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 413 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 17, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
