Cape Cod Yields to a Relentless Tide
Chatham on Cape Cod has succumbed to the sea. The town’s death by Atlantic surf started in 2007 when an April storm sliced a breach through the barrier island off Nauset Beach. Since then, the ocean carved a wide inlet to Chatham Harbor, made an island of Second Village to the south, and destroyed seven cottages in First Village.
The remaining five cottages in First Village were destroyed by an unusually high tide from a summer storm. As the ocean lapped relentlessly at the cottages, they began to crumble into the sea.
“We lost 40 feet of beachfront over the last few days,” said Bill Hammatt, an owner who had hoped to enjoy one final season at his beloved cottage. “Unfortunately, it has terminally damaged all five of the remaining buildings.”