Delaware Breakwater East End

Type:
Year Established:
1885
Existing:
Yes
Source:
LL-1908
Delaware Breakwater East End
Download:
File Type:
jpeg (image/jpeg)
Photo Courtesy of:
US Lighthouse Society
Collection / Donor:

LOCATION

Location:
LEWES HARBOR/DELAWARE BAY ENTRANCE
Latitude:
38° 47.50'
Longitude:
75° 06.01'
City / Town:
LEWES
U.S. State:
Delaware
Location County:
SUSSEX
Country:
United States

OWNER & ACCESS

Open to Public:
Yes
Light List Data:
  1. Delaware Breakwater East End
Light list data courtesy Gary Riemenschneider

STRUCTURE

Year Discontinued:
1996
Year Tower Established:
1885
Tower Construction Material:
BRICK W/CAST IRON PLATES
Tower Foundation:
CAISSON
Height of light above mean high water, in feet:
61 feet above water
Height, in feet, from base of structure to center of lantern:
56
Tower Shape:
CONICAL
Fog Signal Building?:
No
Keeper's Quarters?:
Yes
Year Keeper's Quarters:
1885
Keeper's Quarters Style:
SPARK PLUG INTEGRAL
Keeper's Quarters Construction:
CAST IRON
Other Structures:
CRUDE BOAT LANDING

OPTICS

Active Aid to Navigation?:
No
Current Optic:
375 MM
Original Optic Type:
FOURTH ORDER, FRESNEL
Year Original Lens Installed:
1885
Private Aid:
No
USCG Access to Optics:
No
Comments:

Historical Information:

  • 1885: Construction begins.
  • 1973: The Fresnel lens was replaced with an airport style beacon.
  • 1996: The light was decommissioned. 
  • 1999: The State of Delaware assumed ownership of the lighthouse. In that same year the exterior of the light was painted. 
  • 2001: The Delaware Bay and River Authority signed a lease for the light.
  • 2004: The Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation formed a partnership with the Delaware River and Bay Authority to manage the lighthouse. The group began restoration efforts and began limited public tours. 
Entered by:
t.wheeler
Entered Date:
Jul 20, 2017