Newsletter of The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. Volume 28 Issue 15 “Our mission is to preserve the history of the Fall 2016 Delaware Bay and River Lighthouses, Lightships and their Keepers” TAKE THE CHALLENGE The Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey will take place October 15 & 16, rain or shine. It is a two-day “Fall Weekend of Family Fun”-- an opportunity to visit 11 land-based lighthouses, one museum, and two life-saving stations. The majority of these sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Par- ticipants will pay a $2 registration fee at their first stop and receive the first of 15 puzzle pieces. Every site will have its own unique piece that will serve as proof of your visit. If you complete the entire Challenge, you will have enough pieces to complete the puzzle. It will serve as a souvenir of your adventure. In addition, everyone who completes the Challenge will be included in a drawing where one lucky person will win $1,000 in prizes. (NOTE: All addresses have been included to help find these lighthouses.) Starting in the north, one of the first lighthouses to visit is Sandy Hook Light. Built in 1764, this is the oldest working lighthouse in the United States. Originally called the New York Lighthouse, it was built to aid mariners entering the southern end of New York Harbor. Restored in 2000, it is located on the grounds of Fort Hancock, 85 Mercer Rd., Highlands, NJ 07732. The Navesink Twin Lights is the first American lighthouse to test the Fresnel lens. It has two beacons, one flashing and one fixed. Constructed in 1862, the cur- rent lighthouse is located at 2 Lighthouse Road, Highlands, NJ 07732 in Navesink Highlands, 246’ above sea level. This lighthouse overlooks Sandy Hook Bay, the entrance to New York Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Located at 9 Ocean Ave., Sea Girt, NJ 08750 in Monmouth County, Sea Girt Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the US to host a radio beam in a shore in- stallation and the last shore lighthouse with a keeper’s residence built on the east coast. The light was automated in 1945 and deactivated in 1977. The Jersey Shore between Sandy Hook and Navesink Lighthouses, a distance of 40 miles, was unlit until the 1800’s when this lighthouse was erected. Barnegat Lighthouse affectionately known as “Old Barney” is a historic light- house located at 208 Broadway in Barnegat State Park, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006 at the northern tip of Long Beach Island. In 1855, George Meade was commis- sioned to build the lighthouse. Because of the strong currents in the inlet, the light- house was built 900’ away from the water but in 10 years, only 450’ separated the tower from the ocean. It was given to the State of New Jersey by the coast guard and is currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The centerpiece of Tuckerton Seaport is Tucker’s Island Light. It was origi- nally located on an island but was destroyed by a storm in the 1920’s. It is now located at 120 W. Main Street, Route 9, Tuckerton 08087 in a working maritime village comprised of 40 acres. On the north end of Atlantic City is Absecon Lighthouse (continued on page 7) In This Issue: 2 - A Beam from the President’s Desk 3 - A Report from the Chairman of the Board & Veteran’s Day Thank You 4 - Peggy’s Corner & Deterioration of Harbor of Refuge 5 - Scholarship Winner and Update on Previous Winners 6 - Did You Know? & Mayflower II Returns 7 - Take the Challenge & Registry of Officers and Agents, 1863 8 - Spring Meeting at the Charlesworth, Mariner’s Continued from page 1 Weekend & National Lighthouse Day A BEAM FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Page 2 Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. Page 2 I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer. It certainly was a busy one. Our Delaware Bay Lighthouse THE BAY RUN” is the official publication of The Delaware Cruises were successful;Bay Lighthouse the weather Keepers was goodand Friends and the Association, trips went Inc.well. and On is August 3, 4, 5, I attended the Re- A BEAM From union of Cape Maypublished Station andquarterly the birthday throughout of the the foundingyear. A subscription of the US Coastto the Guard. Some of those stationed under the commandnewsletter of Lt. William is included Bart with from the 1964 cost toof 1974membership. were in Annual attendance. We signed in on Wednesday The Presidents Membership dues are $20.00 for the calendar year beginning at Harpoon Henry’sMarch in Townbank, 1st.Back issues picked are up usually gift packs available and spentfor members time reminiscing joining with former ship mates. At Desk By Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. sunset we all wentmid to Sunset-year. Materials Beach at are Cape copyrighted May Point and (where may not the be concrete reproduced ship, the SS Atlantis, is slowly dis- appearing into the bay) to witness thewithout flag lowering permission ceremony. of the DBLHKFA, Lt. Bart’s Inc. burial flag had been flying all day and at sunset it was President’s Message lowered to the strains of “God Bless ForAmerica” Newsletter and “The ideas, Star Contact Spangled Banner”. Thursday there was a boat trip to Brandywine Well, it appears, spring will be here early this year. Lighthouse onboard the Cape May Whale Watcher, then on to lunch at the Lobster House and a sunset parade at the Cape May We are having nice warm weather already, let’s hope DBLHKFA c/o Maxine Mulligan Coast Guard Base. We all attended the graduation ceremonies on Friday, ate lunch at the base and then were treated to a tour. It Mother Nature doesn’t throw us any surprises. 1049 Simca Terr., Vineland, NJ 08360 was an enjoyable reunion. E-Mail – [email protected] As you all know, memberships are renewable each August 7 was National Lighthouse Day, a day to celebrate the founding of the US Lighthouse Service in 1789. A ceremony year in March, so don’t forget to send your renewal Jim Moffatt form and check back if youwas haven’t held at doneHereford so toInlet date. Lighthouse 1728 attended Woodcrest by myself Dr Vineland, and other NJmembers 08361 of our organization. A great time was had by all. Our Mission depends on you annualUntil next support. time, keep I don’t the lights shining!!E-Mail - [email protected] want you to miss a single issue of our “Bay Run” Angelo newsletter, that keeps us all updated on the The DBLHKFA, Inc. Officers and Directors happenings in our organization and over all interesting President……………… Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. articles. Thanks to the teamTHE that BAY spend RUN endless is the timeofficial publicationVice President…… of The Delaware Gaylord Bay F (Dusty)Lighthouse Pierce Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. and is published quarterly throughout the Chairmanyear. A subscription of the Board………...Rod to the newsletter Mulligan is included with the cost of membership, Annual developing and researching for each interesting Treasurer……………………Maxine Mulligan Membership dues are $25.00 for the calendar year beginning March 1st. Back issues are usually available for members articles .Jim Moffatt, Maxine Mulligan and other Secretary……………………...Darlene Rigazio contributors also our photojoininggraphers mid-year. Bill Geilfuss Materials and are copyrightedMembership……………… and may not be reproduced....……Eva withoutMoffatt permission of the DBLHKFA, Inc. Dr. Bruce Middleton. TheyFor all Newsletter do such a fine ideas, job. Contact Activities/Programs………...PeggyBoard Stapleford of Directors Sunshine/Hospitality……….........Katie Moser Cruise dates have been setDBLHKFA and approved, c/o Maxine with our Mulligan Rod Mulligan, Bill Geilfuss, Anthony Giletto, th Publicity…………………………….Jean Jones first one on July 15 , an outstanding1049 Simca cruise Terrace, to Harbor Vineland, NewHistorian…………………….Peggy Jersey 08360 Jim Stapleford Gardner and Katie Moser of Refuge Lighthouse (thisEmail: was my [email protected] Keepers location) Ways and Means Anthony Giletto Hope to see you there. Be sure to check to web site Newsletter……Jim Moffatt, Maxine Mulligan and newsletter for all of the important dates. DBLHKFA,Webmaster…………………….Kelly Inc. Officers Mulliganand Directors Scholarship Committee……...Anthony Giletto I am hoping to have as manyPresident former ................................... lighthouse Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. Sunshine/Hospitality ..............................Katie Moser keepers as possible attend National Lighthouse Day Board of Directors on August 7th at Hereford ViceInlet PresidentLighthouse ......................................... in North Bill Geilfuss Publicity .........................................Maxine Mulligan Chairman of the Board ..........................Rod Mulligan,Rod Mulligan Bill Geilfuss, TonyHistorian Giletto .........................................Peggy Stapleford Wildwood. It would be nice to have a reunion that day Jim Gardner and Katie Moser as we celebrate this nationalTreasurer event. Lots......................................... of activities Maxine Mulligan Ways and Means .............................. Anthony Giletto will be planned for every Secretarymember of ........................................... your family. PhonDarlenee Num bRigazioers an d E-MNewsletterail Addr .......................................esses Maxine Mulligan You can’t miss this great first time event! Please Membership ..........................................A. RigazioElma Gardner(609) 884 -1329 [email protected] ......................................... Kelly Mulligan contact me if you would like to be part of this G.F.Pierce (302) 684-3512 [email protected] celebration. Till then… Activities/Programs