Not far beyond Race Point traveling toward town, you will come to the Provincetown rotary and Wood End. Wood End is a small stretch of sand that lies between Herring Cove Beach and Long Point. Once at the rotary, if you can find a parking place, grab it. Parking is very limited. There are no roads or even trails that will take you to Wood End and the Wood End Lighthouse. Yet you can reach them by walking along the breakwater or stone jetty that runs all the way across the west end of the harbor. As you look at the breakwater, it really does not seem that far or formidable but it really is farther than it appears. You have to be sure of your tides before starting out because parts can be submerged at high tide. It is a great hike and a lot of fun to investigate the area. You can also get there by renting a kayak in town and paddling across the harbor. Just watch out for the ferries and other large vessels.
There is a tragedy connected with Wood End. It is the site of the S-4 Tragedy. The S-4 was a US submarine that sank in 1927 after accidentally colliding with a US Coast Guard Destroyer. Forty men died there and the worst part is that at least six of the crew survived in the sunken sub for about 24 hours while various rescue attempts failed.
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