Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse
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| Artist: Linda Dickey, 2015 |
A very special thank-you to those of you who attended Ron MacArthur's and my art reception on August 13th. I enjoyed seeing old friends and meeting
some new ones.
One of the photographs and paintings Ron and I exhibited was
the Breakwater Lighthouse, officially known as the Delaware Breakwater East End
Lighthouse. I’ve painted it many times,
and each time I do, I am reminded of its perfect symmetry and what fun I have
painting the sky behind it.
I thought you might enjoy a little history behind this
notable Lewes landmark we all enjoy:
In 1825, Congress authorized the construction of a
breakwater at the mouth of the Delaware Bay off Cape Henlopen in order to
create a safe harbor for ships seeking refuge during storms. Begun in 1828 and
completed in 1841, the Delaware Breakwater was a two-part structure comprised
of a breakwater and an icebreaker pier. In 1897, the open space between these
two sections was closed. Due to an increase in the size and number of ships
seeking refuge in Breakwater Harbor, Congress authorized the construction of a
2nd breakwater approximately 1.25 miles to the northeast of the Delaware
Breakwater on a shoal known as "The Shears." Completed in 1901, this
new, outer breakwater created a much larger and deeper safe harbor called the
National Harbor of Refuge. Located on the original, inner breakwater, the
Delaware Breakwater East End Lighthouse was completed in 1885. The red-brown
conical structure is 22 feet in diameter at the base and its tower is 45 feet
tall. It was decommissioned in 1996 and was formally conveyed by the United
States government to the state of Delaware in 1999. The structure is now leased
to the Delaware River and Bay Authority and managed by the Delaware River and
Bay Lighthouse Foundation.
Prints of most of the paintings in the show will be available early fall. Email me if you'd like more information at lindadickey.art@outlook.com
