DELAWARE BREAKWATER LIGHTHOUSE
Delaware Bay
Cape Henlopen-Lewes, Delaware
Cape Henlopen, De. to the south and Cape May, NJ to the north form the boundary to the entrance of the Delaware River. Cape May is a wonderful Victorian town and Cape Henlopen is a rugged uninhabited spit of land dividing ocean from bay. Cape May is guarded by the Cape May Lighthouse, while Cape Henlopen is guarded by two lighthouses. They are the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse off shore in the bay and the Delaware Breakwater house closer to the shore. Both of the Delaware lights can be viewed from Cape Henlopen State Park, just outside of Lewes, DE.
Delaware Bay
Cape Henlopen-Lewes, Delaware
Cape Henlopen, De. to the south and Cape May, NJ to the north form the boundary to the entrance of the Delaware River. Cape May is a wonderful Victorian town and Cape Henlopen is a rugged uninhabited spit of land dividing ocean from bay. Cape May is guarded by the Cape May Lighthouse, while Cape Henlopen is guarded by two lighthouses. They are the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse off shore in the bay and the Delaware Breakwater house closer to the shore. Both of the Delaware lights can be viewed from Cape Henlopen State Park, just outside of Lewes, DE.
A short boat ride from Lewes will provide a closer look at these spark plug type lights, and they can also be seen fleetingly from the Lewes/Cape May Ferry. The ferry ride alone is worth the price of admission. Ocean boats, birds, fish, and dolphin can be seen as well as the three lighthouses.
Every time I visit the state park, I am amazed with the scenery. It is particularly good to go after the schools open in the fall and the beach going crowds have dwindled. Old WWII structures can be found with outposts used as observation points.
Every time I visit the state park, I am amazed with the scenery. It is particularly good to go after the schools open in the fall and the beach going crowds have dwindled. Old WWII structures can be found with outposts used as observation points.
Fort Miles, located in the park, was once a key piece in the nation's coastal defense and heavy guns, mine fields and searchlights provided defense; however, the growing use of long-range missiles brought an end to such harbor defenses. By 1958, the fort was no longer important for defense, and in 1964, 543 acres of the base were returned to the State of Delaware. These lands are the heart of Cape Henlopen State Park. In April, 2005, Fort Miles was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The beaches are wide with both ocean and bay side accessibility.
The Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse rests closer to shore on the east end of the inner breakwater. This is a four-story spark plug, painted a rusty brown color, and flashing a red signal. The Breakwater light was built in 1885 and is a cast iron structure built upon the rip rap breakwater. It was deactivated in 1996 and is 49 feet tall. The original lamp was a fresnel fourth order.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, is painted white and is a four story keeper’s house placed upon the outer breakwater. This house flashes a white light and is further offshore.
The Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse rests closer to shore on the east end of the inner breakwater. This is a four-story spark plug, painted a rusty brown color, and flashing a red signal. The Breakwater light was built in 1885 and is a cast iron structure built upon the rip rap breakwater. It was deactivated in 1996 and is 49 feet tall. The original lamp was a fresnel fourth order.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse, is painted white and is a four story keeper’s house placed upon the outer breakwater. This house flashes a white light and is further offshore.
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