The Salt Works monument

You are at stop #34 on the Belmar Treasure Trail. The monument seen at the base of the flagpole, often called the “Salt Works” monument, was dedicated by Belmar’s Bicentennial Commission in 1976 to commemorate the only Revolutionary War engagement that occurred here. Three British vessels arrived off the coast of Belmar in April 1778 and launched 150 men in longboats that landed south of Shark River Inlet and completely destroyed the Salt Works operating on the banks of the River. This raid was part of a British strategy to destroy the ability of colonists to produce salt, an essential commodity for the American War effort. The Shark River raiders, however, were driven off by 15 Monmouth Militia. The British left in such a panic that they swamped some of their longboats. Weeks later, the colonists would cheer when word filtered back that at about the same time the British were raiding the New Jersey coast, a young American captain in his sloop called “Ranger” was terrifying British coastal towns, sinking and capturing ships at sea and even in British harbors. It was the first time in 100 years British coastal towns were raided. That captain was John Paul Jones.