Will the Breakwater Continue to Support
Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse Long Enough for Help to Arrive?
By Bob Trapani, Jr.
Unknown to many Americans today is the immense national
historical significance associated with the light station that stands
sentinel atop the south end of the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater.
Just as obscure is the grave dilemma that has silently mounted over the
past twenty-five years that now threatens to
topple the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
The
stone at the base of Harbor of
Refuge Lighthouse continues to be lost
to the ravages of the sea
76-foot Harbor
of Refuge Lighthouse into the Atlantic Ocean. Storm seas and strong tidal
currents pushing between the sandy point of Cape Henlopen and the National
Harbor of Refuge Breakwater have slowly combined to rob the massive wall of
critical supporting stone at the base of the lighthouse and along various
sections of its lengthy span.
The
caisson foundation that supports Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse was established
in 1907 – six years after the completion of the breakwater. In order to
construct a lighthouse that could withstand the horrific storm
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Storm seas and the tides ceaselessly
assault the foundation of the lighthouse
force of the
Atlantic Ocean, contractors excavated a 15-foot cavity in the breakwater
at the southern end, poured concrete and then erected the first Harbor
of Refuge Lighthouse, which was completed in 1908. The present structure
was built in 1926 to replace the storm-battered original
beacon. Given the
fact that the “roots” of the lighthouse extend only 15-feet into the stone
wall, it is not hard to imagine how the major loss of protective stone at
its base might threaten to bring down this stalwart warrior of Delaware Bay.
Though
working to protect Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse from destruction is a
paramount concern, so too is the preservation of the National Harbor of
Refuge Breakwater itself. The passage of time has shrouded the once
monumental importance of this breakwater when it was first constructed by
the Federal government during the period of 1897 to 1901 - at a cost that
exceeded two and a half million dollars, which was a huge project for its
time. Also lost to history is how this 1.5-mile long stone barrier once
gained the admiration of sailors from around the world who were thankful for
America’s humanitarian spirit during times when the dreaded northeast storm
turned the Atlantic Ocean into a seething seascape spawning death and
destruction for many ships unable to make the safe confines of the National
Harbor of Refuge (and Delaware Breakwater).
The
1902-03 Delaware Pilot supplement to the Sussex County edition has
best described this great American engineering and humanitarian achievement
when the newspaper stated, “…that great artificial harbor
that
is called “The National Harbor of Refuge,” and which might justly be
called an international harbor of safety, for within its grim walls, in
time of storm, lie at anchor the craft of all nations, safe from the
wrath of Neptune when he seems to wish to destroy all who have invaded
his domains.” The Delaware Pilot went on to comment, “the
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
Low tide reveals the alarming damage
to the base of the light on the
west
side of the structure
magnificent statue in
New York harbor symbolizes liberty to the oppressed of all nations; the
8,200 feet of stone wall which this appropriation caused to rise from the
waves is the “Mecca” of all who go down to the sea in ships…the fame of
which as spread to the uttermost confines of the globe.”
Though
the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater’s lifesaving powers were diminished
when the age of sail and wooden ships gave way to steel-hulled vessels, the
mighty stone wall remains an irreplaceable monument to American achievement
and compassion. The historic value of both the breakwater and Harbor of
Refuge Lighthouse, which stands sentinel at the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Delaware
Bay, is of immense worth to our great nation and the State of Delaware.
America will not build its like again nor could we begin to fill the dark
vacuum of its loss should we continue to allow the lighthouse and breakwater
to slide down the slippery slopes of oblivion.
The one
champion for the preservation of the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater
has been U.S. Senator Tom Carper. His office has been very
Photo by Bob Trapani, Jr.
The National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater
-- a mere 50 yards
north of the lighthouse, nearly breeches
at high tide due to years
of storm damage inflicted on the
breakwater's structural integrity
concerned
about the condition of the breakwater over the past year and a half and
was extremely helpful in elevating these concerns to the federal level.
Led by Senator Carper’s office, the First
State’s congressional delegation made three different visits to the site
in 2004 – one where Senator Carper himself had the opportunity to view
firsthand the damage to the breakwater. In late September 2004,
representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers accompanied Delaware’s
congressional delegation to further assess the situation since the Corps
owns the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and therefore will play a
vital role in its rehabilitation. Following
these site visits, the Army Corps
conducted a
side-scan survey on the breakwater near the lighthouse in January 2005.
Despite
all of the progress that has been made to date in working towards repairing
the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater, and thus saving Harbor of Refuge
Lighthouse, it would be a tragedy of incalculable proportions to stop the
wheel of momentum now. We must “stay the course” and follow this critical
effort through to completion. America and the State of Delaware are at a
crossroads – one where the stakes are highest and the responsibility of our
actions most dire. Fate can be altered but not without a community effort
that rises up to overcome the long-standing indifference and complacency to
the severe plight that swells around the base of Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse
and the National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater.
The
ghost of Cape Henlopen Lighthouse continues to send out a silent warning
from its watery grave as to the consequences of not effectively
acting to save our most cherished historic treasures. The void created
atop the Great Sand Dune at Cape Henlopen from the loss of the “Old Man
of the Atlantic” has never been replaced. Will we wait too long today to
act despite history’s somber warning at Cape Henlopen and allow yet
another tragic loss to occur at Harbor of Refuge?
