Newsletter of The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. Volume 38 Issue 20 “Our mission is to preserve the history of the Winter 2019 Delaware Bay and River Lighthouses, Lightships and their Keepers” LIGHTHOUSES OF “THE FIRST STATE” – PAST & PRESENT (Editor’s note: I thought it would be a good idea to present a Newsletter with information on the lighthouses of Delaware since the New Jersey lights are usually featured. Enjoy!) Perched at the Delaware-Maryland border is the Fenwick Island Lighthouse where the light was first lit in August of 1859. This light continued guiding ships until it was deactivated by the US Coast Guard in December of 1978. The characteristics of the light were changed from time to time so that mariners could more easily differentiate between that light and other lighthouses to the north and south. The lighthouse is in very good condition having undergone extensive repairs to the metalwork and repainting processes. The State of Delaware now owns the lighthouse and thanks to a community organization, “Friends of the Lighthouse,” it is open to the public. Appearing near the Cape May-Lewes Ferry dock is Delaware Breakwater East End Light. In 1884, this light came into being as a replacement for the nearby Cape Henlopen Light which was being undermined by wave action and declared unsafe for habitation. The long term plans for Breakwater are to provide transportation to the site and eventually have the structure open for public visitation. Since the harbor near Breakwater was too shallow for the newer and larger navy vessels, work on the outer Breakwater began in 1897. The National Harbor of Refuge Light was completed in 1901. Harbor of Refuge was built on the Breakwater’s southern end to mark it for seagoing vessels. In 1926 the original lighthouse was replaced by the one which guards the area to this day. The final cost of this Fenwick Island Lighthouse lighthouse was close to $50,000. “Harbor” has become a familiar sight to the thousands of travelers who pass by each year on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The Cape May Lewes Ferry passes closest when the ferry schedule is the heaviest. One of the last Coast Guard keepers (Engineman and Acting Officer in Charge) was our own Association President, Angelo S. Rigazio. The station was eventually In This Issue: 2 - A Beam from the President’s Desk 6 - Update on the Friends of Hereford Inlet Lighthouse 3 - From the Log of the Chairman of the Board of 7 - Lost Lightship Sailors Memorial Dedicated Directors & Challenge Statistics 8 - Lightship Sailors Monument 4 - Peggy’s Corner & Elma Gardner Crosses the Bar 5 - Lighthouses of “The First State” - (Continued) A BEAM FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK WINTER 2019 Page 2 Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. Page 2 As I sit here writingTHE BAY this RUN column,” is the I official glance publication out the window of The Delaware and see that it is snowing. It’s early A BEAM From November and I Bayam Lighthousewitnessing Keepers our first and Friendssnow ofAssociation, the season. Inc. andEven is though I know these flakes are not going to accumulate,published quarterly it makes throughout me wonder the year. how A much subscription snow to will the be in store for us this winter since a very coldnewsletter winter season is included has with been the forecast. cost of membership. Annual The Presidents Membership dues are $20.00 for the calendar year beginning st Desk By March 1 .Back issues are usually available for members joining The NJ Lighthouse Challenge had an amazing number of participants this year. I was at the Cape Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. mid-year. Materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced May Lighthousewithout with Maxine permission and of Rodthe DBLHKFA, Mulligan, Inc. Katie Moser and my wife, Darlene. We had an President’s Message enjoyable time until it began raining on Sunday. When we left the lighthouse early that afternoon, the count for Well, it appears, spring willCape be Mayhere wasearly 1,800 this year. visitors withFor time Newsletter still left ideas, for Contactpeople to tour the area. We are having nice warm weather already, let’s hope DBLHKFA c/o Maxine Mulligan As the 2019 holiday season1049 begins, Simca we Terr., already Vineland, have NJthe 08360 inside of the house decorated and shining brightly. Mother Nature doesn’t throw us any surprises. It takes a full week to decorate Eso-Mail it’s –necessary [email protected] to start early. We are planning a big Thanksgiving dinner; our As you all know, membershipsgrandchildren are renewable love to eachsee the lights and play with the trains. (NOTE: And the executive/board always enjoys year in March, so don’t forgetmeeting to send at the your “Rigazio’s renewal WinterJim Wonderland”.) Moffatt I am working on the outside decorations which will be finished form and check back if youshortly. haven’t Having done so only to date. 4 weeks 1728between Woodcrest Thanksgiving Dr Vineland, and NJ Christmas 08361 this year, we have less time to get this Our Mission depends on youcompleted. annual support. From the I don’t Rigazio householdE-Mail - [email protected] to all of you, Merry Christmas and a Healthy, Happy New Year. Buon want you to miss a single Natalie!!issue of our Keep “Bay the Run” lights shining. newsletter, that keeps us all. updated on the TheAngelo DBLHKFA, Inc. Officers and Directors happenings in our organization and over all interesting President……………… Angelo S. Rigazio, Jr. Vice President…… Gaylord F (Dusty) Pierce articles. Thanks to the team that spend endless time Chairman of the Board………...Rod Mulligan THE BAY RUN is the official publication of The Delaware Bay Lighthouse Keepers and Friends Association, Inc. and is developing and researching for each interesting Treasurer……………………Maxine Mulligan articles .Jim Moffatt, Maxinepublished Mulligan quarterly and otherthroughout the Secretary……………………...Darleneyear. A subscription to the newsletter Rigaziois included with the cost of membership, Annual contributors also our photoMembershipgraphers Bill dues Geilfuss are $25.00 and for theMembership……………… calendar year beginning.... March……Eva 1st. Moffatt Back issues are usually available for members Dr. Bruce Middleton. Theyjoining all do mid-year. such a fine Materials job. are copyrightedActivities/Programs………...Peggy and may not be reproduced Stapleford without permission of the DBLHKFA, Inc. Sunshine/Hospitality……….........Katie Moser Cruise dates have been setFor and Newsletter approved, ideas, with ourContact Board of Directors th Publicity…………………………….Jean Jones first one on July 15 , an outstandingDBLHKFA cruise c/o Maxine to Harbor Mulligan Historian…………………….PeggyRod Stapleford Mulligan, Anthony Giletto, Katie Moser, of Refuge Lighthouse (this1049 was Simcamy Keepers Terrace, location) Vineland, NewWays Jersey and Means 08360 Anthonyand MaryEllen Giletto Walker Hope to see you there. BeEmail: sure to [email protected] check to web site Newsletter……Jim Moffatt, Maxine Mulligan and newsletter for all of the important dates. Webmaster…………………….Kelly Mulligan I am hoping to have as many former lighthouse DBLHKFA,Scholarship Committee……...Anthony Inc. Officers and Giletto Directors keepers as possible attend National Lighthouse Day President ................................... AngeloBoard S.of Rigazio, Directo Jr.rs Sunshine/Hospitality ..............................Katie Moser on August 7th at Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Vice President Pro Tem .........................Rod Mulligan,Rod Mulligan Bill Geilfuss, TonyPublicity Giletto .........................................Maxine Mulligan Wildwood. It would be nice to have a reunion that day Jim Gardner and Katie Moser as we celebrate this nationalChairman event. Lots of the of Board activities .......................... Rod Mulligan Historian .........................................Peggy Stapleford will be planned for every Treasurermember of ......................................... your family. PhoMaxinene Num Mulliganbers an d E-MWaysail Aanddd rMeansesses .............................. Anthony Giletto You can’t miss this great firstSecretary time event!........................................... Please A. RigazioDarlene Rigazio(609) 884 -1329 [email protected] ....................................... Maxine Mulligan contact me if you would like to be part of this G.F.Pierce (302) 684-3512 [email protected] celebration. Till then… Membership ................................................................R & M Mulligan (856 )691 -8224 [email protected] ......................................... Kelly Mulligan J Jones (856) 825-3386 [email protected] Activities/Programs ..........................Jim GardnerPeggy Stapleford(856) 825 -0123 [email protected] Committee ................... Anthony Giletto “Keep the light shining” Bill Geilfuss (732)-477-7768 [email protected] KatiePhone Moser Numbers(215)-844 and-8548 [email protected] Addresses D. Rigazio (609) 884-1329 [email protected] Angelo A. Rigazio-(609) 884-1329 • [email protected] Stapleford (484)-947-3191 [email protected] & M Mulligan-(856) 691-8224 • [email protected] Jim & Eve Moffatt (856)691-0201 [email protected] Katie Moser-(215) 884-8548 • [email protected] Giletto (856)482- 8874 [email protected] Mulligan-(856) 691-8224 • [email protected] K. Mulligan (856)-691-8224 Kelly@delawarebaylightkeeper- D. Rigazio-(609) 884-1329 • [email protected] P. Stapleford-(484)friend.org 947-3191 • [email protected]