September 20th, 2018
In June of 2013 I got curious about the 2 lighthouses located between Lewes, Delaware and Cape May, New Jersey. Writing a blog about the Delaware Beaches and beyond gives me so much information. Information that I can pass on to you. The Delaware Beaches are year round resorts and there is plenty to do if you choose to do so, or nothing at all if you just want to relax. I went on a tour this summer with the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. This organization is dedicated to the preservation of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. When I first visited you could not step out off the boat and go inside the lighthouse. We actually then went inside the East End Lightouse. More about that one in another post. Since then there has been a lot of restoration to the Harbor of Refuge, and this summer they opened it for tours.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation can be contacted by calling 302-644-7046. The website is http://www.delawarebaylights.org/
My friend, Sharon, who is a true local, and very proud of it, had never visited the lighthouses but always wanted to. We arrived at the Cape-May Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes. That’s is where we would be picked up. Arriving a little early we decided to have something to eat at the outdoor bar/restaurant called On the Rocks. Best view and great burgers, as well.
Finally, the boat arrived and Sharon and I were ready.
The Cape-May Lewes Ferry was just coming in but our main goal was to get to the historic and iconic Harbor of Refuge.
It was one of those beautiful days in Delmarva and Cape Henlopen looked awesome.
The keeper of this lonely offshore lighthouse. It was hard work. Storms were relentless and waves would reach all the way up the lighthouse. We first passed the East End Lighthouse. But, we had to continue to our destination.
The Delaware Breakwater along with the lighthouses are engineer marvels of the 19th century. They were the first strucures of the kind built in the Western Hemisphere. In 1976, the Delaware Breakwater, the East End Lighthouse and the Harbor of Refuge Light Station were inducted into the National Register of Historic Places as the Nation’s first offshore Historic District.
The imposing Harbor of Refuge was in front of us. We got off the boat and climbed the stairs to the different levels where the Keeper lived. Docents are able to give you all the information you need. The most important thing is the feeling you get of what would be like to “walk in the steps of the Lightkeeper”.
The Harbor of Refuge’s dock has been restored. So much work in raising funds to maintain this historic lighthouse. The dock has been dedicated to Red Moulinier, President of the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for his time and efforts. The lighthouse still has more renovations on the way along with maintenance. It has been painted and it looks beautiful.
From the top of the lighthouse the views are unbelievable as you can imagine. At times, dolphins and mantas pass by.
By visiting the website above mentioned you will be able to see what tours they will have next year. Also check the sunset tours. You will not go inside the lighthouses but will circle around them for those Kodak moments. Tours book quickly and, of course, it also depends on the weather. This weekend they have tours on Saturday, but they are already sold out. For more info. you may call Red at 302-226-3866. There is also a button on the website for donations. Every little bit helps.
If you would like to see my other posts on these lighthouses, with photos, please visit my website at http://www.aboutmybeaches.com.
Have a great time this weekend. The beginning of Fall!!
By the way, lots of locals on this tour. We had fun!!
April 8th, 2015
“A new way of thinking, a new way of living in concert with the sea, in consideration for those yet to come.”
Ocean Frontiers II is inviting the public to its premiere here in Delaware and then to a panel discussion. It will take place on Thursday, 4/9, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Movies at Midway, located at 18585 Coastal Highway in their Upstairs Screening Room. The admission is free and snacks will be available. More info? Please visit http://www.ocean-frontiers.org/delaware.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse and Cape May Lewes Ferry
This film is hosted by Delaware Surfriders, Green Fire Productions, http://www.greenfireproductions.org with co hosts: Rehoboth Beach Film Society, http://www.rehobothfilm.com, Delaware Sea Grant, http://www.deseagrant.org, American Littoral Society, http://www.littoralsociety.org, and Delaware Chapter of Sierra Club.
In a region steeped in old maritime tradition, Ocean Frontiers II tells the story of a modern wave of big ships, energy industries and a changing climate, and how people are coming together to plan for a healthy ocean off their coast. After the film, plan to stay and join the interactive panel discussion about how we can protect wildlife, enhance recreational activities and manage commercial uses in our increasingly busy Delaware waters.
Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse
June 2013 was the day I walked in the steps of The Keeper. Visiting the Delaware Lighthouses was an experience and thank God I went when I did because the actual tours of the lighthouses have been discontinued for now. I wrote a post on my adventure that day on June 18, 2013. If you would like to see it (photos), please click on the date on the left hand side of the website; June of 2013 and scroll down to the 18th. The cancellation of these tours is due to lack of transportation funds which were provided in the past by the Delaware River & Bay Authority and the state of Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs.
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse
The Harbor of Refuge has been closed for some time for repairs made necessary by severe storm damage. This lighthouse was built in 1896. Both of the lighthouses are off Cape Henlopen where the ocean meets the Delaware Bay, providing refuge to ships battered by storms.
The Delaware Breakwaters are engineer marvels of the 19th century. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation – 2015 Lighthouse Sunset Cruises. It is that time of the year again. Sunsets are beautiful, more so if you are cruising the Delaware Lighthouses. Profits of the cruises will go towards the restoration and new docking station and other projects at Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. For info., please visit http://www.delawarebaylights.org.
Tours will be:
Saturday, June 13th from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Saturday, July 25th from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, September 13th from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.
Meet at Anglers Fishing Center on 213 Anglers Rd. at Anglers Marina in Lewes. Go to the end of Anglers Rd., approximately 100 yards past Irish Eyes Restaurant in Lewes.
To reserve your space, book at least one week prior to cruise date. Call Red Moulinier, Home 302-226-3866, Cell 302-542-4432
You will be cruising up the canal, out to both Breakwater Light and Harbor of Refuge Light. Take your camera because on many of the cruises you can spot dolphins. This is a BYOB and snacks event. The cost is $35/person. Please note that registration and form of payment must be received prior to the cruise.
Making plans for Summer 2015….
July 8th, 2013
Saturday, July 13th, is a special day for children 6 years and older that would love to walk in the steps of a lighthouse keeper! Children will be able to tour the Delaware East End Breakwater Lighthouse, and get close to the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse.
The scheduled tours by the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation are for children with a minimum age of 12, so, this is indeed a unique day to see these marvels of the 19th century, which are the first structures of their kind to be built in the western hemisphere.
Fare for children 6-12 years old is $25 per child. Fare for 12 and above is $35. Limit one child per adult. Children must be in the direct, active supervision of that adult all the time. Departure time is 9 a.m.
Tours depart from the pier located behind the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal in Lewes, Delaware. Free parking is available in the Foot Passenger Lot.
Reservations are recommended as tickets are limited to 24 per tour. Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to departure time as safety briefing is required before visitors board the launch.
Life jackets are provided and must be worn. No sandals or open-toe shoes are allowed.
Please visit http://www.delawarebaylights.org/tours.html. Or, call 302-644-7046.
Note: I have taken the tour and recommend it. One way is to see them from afar, but up close…they are magnificent!! Today, as I rode the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, I once again had time to admire the Harbor of Refuge as the ferry went by.
June 18th, 2013
I wanted to walk in the steps of The Keeper. I cannot imagine what it would have been like to be the keeper of a lonely offshore lighthouse. From the Cape May-Lewes Ferry I have seen them from a distance. But, not anymore. 2013 was the year to visit these lighthouses.
The Delaware Breakwaters are engineer marvels of the 19th century. They were the first structures of their kind to be built in the Western Hemisphere. The Delaware Breakwater, Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, Harbor of Refuge Breakwater, and Harbor of Refuge Light Station entered in 1976 on the National Register of Historic Places as the nation’s first offshore Historic District.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation is the caretaker of the lighthouses. They were also in charge of the tours. The tours are $35 for adults. Even though the website, http://www.delawarebaylights.org/tours.html, says that you are to send the forms in with a check, I did it through the telephone with a credit card by calling 302-644-7046. I left my name and number and someone called me back.
The tour departs from the finger pier behind the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal on Cape Henlopen Drive. The next tour is on Saturday, 6/22. Make sure you arrive 20 minutes in advance. Free parking at the Foot Passanger Terminal. Please visit the website above mentioned for a complete schedule and plenty of information.
I arrived on Saturday, May 18th, ready to discover the lighthouses. They are practically in my backyard. They had already told me that no sandals or open-toe shoes were allowed. The tours will go on light rain or shine. But, rough seas, heavy rain or threat of severe weather may cause the tour to be cancelled. Foundation members will attempt to contact you as quickly as possible. Please make sure you give them your cell phone when making the reservation.
The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation had their tent up and already there was merchandise for purchase.
Our group had assembled for information and safety instructions, including the proper way to put your lifejacket on.
Big Stone Pride was our transporter to the Lighthouses.
And once we all got on it….off we went
We were heading first to the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse Station. It stands like a proud sentinel at the mouth of the Delaware Bay, always watching. Even though you see them clearly from the distance it takes a little bit to get there. Already there was a boat with whale watchers trying to get close, but we would get even closer. The Harbor of Refuge is closed for repairs made by severe storm damage. But, we were going to get very close in order to get photos.
It was a calm day, but a little cloudy and windy. You could feel how strong the water was; had to hold on to the railings as we went on deck. This 76 foot sentinel was built in 1926 to replace a previous storm-damanged one. Harbor of Refuge is one of the most exposed lighthouses on the Atlantic seaboard. The Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation has photos with mountainous seas pounding it all the way to the top.
And just like at the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse, a family of ospreys had returned, like they have been doing for a few years.
Then, we continued our tour to the Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse.
In 1828 the construction began on the breakwater wall. The rocks were brough by donkeys from quarries in Pennsylvania and Delaware. That’s why it took so long. So, we were all looking forward to getting off the boat and start exploring.
On this photo you can see the small concrete oil house once used for storing lighthouse fuel, now home to the resident osprey pair.
The tower on this lighthouse is 56 feet high. The light is shown at 61 feet above the water.
And, the red panels warned ships off nearby shoals and the tip of the Cape.
In the entry level, the Delaware Public Archives Historic Marker. Two-foot-thick brick line inside the cast iron outer shell of the lighthouse.
Second and third levels were the living quarters, including the kitchen. Food came from Rickards and Ramsey grocery store on Lewes Beach. The keepers ate a lot of fish, which they caught.
The rooms were small but they were the living quarters for 3 to 5 keepers at a time.
From the outside walkway on the Watch Room’s the views were spectacular.
The dolphins were playing….the kayakers were having a great day!
Climbing the stairs to the Lantern Room….
In November 2011, the State Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs commissioned an inspection of the lens by a professional lampist. He determined that the original Fresnel lens had been replaced with the current lense, which was made in Sweden by AGA around the 1920s. The lens is fragile. Prism can be damanged by human touch so please keep your hands to yourselves. Do not touch the lens.
Four-bulb lamp changer that automatically rotates when one of the small bulbs that now provides the light burns out. Light visible for 13 miles out to sea.
In 2004 the Delaware River & Bay Authority entered into an operating agreement with Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation for public outreach. In 2005 the Foundation opened it for the first public tours.
If you like historic lighthouses this tour is for you….and for the rest, it is an amazing way to discover The First Town in The First State.
It was time to go, the tour was over and down the stairs we went just like the Keepers would have done.
And the ospreys? Well, this is their hangout…they will be waiting for you to return!
Note: Information for this post was taken from the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation’s website and from the facts and figures we saw during the tour.
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