Overfalls Lightship – Lewes, Delaware

Overfalls Lightship – Lewes, Delaware

This is one of 17 remaining lightships in the United States and it is located in Lewes, Delaware.  The Overfalls (LV118) has been restored by a group of volunteers to keep this piece of history alive for all to see.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  The volunteers dedicated over 10,000 hours to get it in the pristine condition it is now, although the hull needs to be repaired when the funds have been raised to remove the ship from the water for this work.

The Lightship Overfalls was built in 1938 by the United States Lighthouse Service as a state of the art lightship design.

The Overfalls history it was stationed at three different lightship stations: first, at Cornfield Point off the coast of Connecticut, then at the Cross Rip Station off the coast of Massachusetts, and finally the Boston Station just off Cape Cod.  In 1973 it was donated to the Lewes Historical Society.

Originally there were 179 of these ships built from 1820 to 1952.  This ship is open to the public to tour and learn about the history and duties of the lightships.

For a tour: The ship is open from the end of May through the middle of October.  Tours are Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday form 10 – 4 (tours on Monday and Thursday are self guided.)  Sunday from 1 – 4.

Admission: $2 adults; $1 children under 12.  Group tours and off season tours an be arranged by request by calling Dave Bernheisel at 302-645-7377 or email: bernheisel@juno.com

Directions:

From Cape May-Lewes Ferry:
Turn right as you exit the Ferry terminal to get onto Cape Henlopen Drive.  Turn left at the stop sign on Savannah Rd (the Dairy Queen is on your right) and continue over the drawbridge.  Turn right at the traffic light on Front Street.  The lightship is on the right hand side, just after the tennis courts.  Parking is free in front of the lightship.

From Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City, Maryland:
Take Rte. 1 North.  After you pass the Midway Shopping Center and movie theaters, bear right onto Rte 9 (Road 268) towards Lewes/Cape Henlopen State Park.  At the lighthouse replica, bear to the left and follow King’s Highway into Lewes.  At the stop sign, turn right onto Savannah Road then turn left at the traffic light onto Front Street.  The lightship is on the right hand side, just after the tennis courts.  Parking is free in front of the lightship.

From Philadelphia:
Follow I-95 South to Delaware Rte 1 South.  Follow Route 1 South towards Shore Points.  After going over Nassau Bridge, turn left onto Business Rte 9 – Lewes.  Business Rte 9 turns into Savannah Road.  In town, turn left at the traffic light onto Front Street.  The lightship is on the right hand side, just after the tennis courts.  Free Parking in front of the lightship.

From Baltimore, MD, and Washington, DC
Take the Bay Bridge ($2.50 toll, east bound) on US 50/301.  Bear to the right with US 50 when 301 splits northbound.  Turn left onto Maryland 404.  Follow 404 to Delaware and through to Georgetown.  At the Circle in Georgetown, follow signs to Delaware  Rte 9 to Lewes.  At Rte 1, follow signs for Business Rte 9 – Lewes.  .  Business Rte 9 turns into

Savannah Road.  In town, turn left at the traffic light onto Front Street.  The lightship is on the right hand side, just after the tennis courts.  Free Parking in front of the lightship.

Related posts:

1. Cannonball House Marine Museum – Lewes, Delaware
2. Nassau Valley Vineyards – Lewes, Delaware
3. Delaware Fisherman’s Wharf – Lewes, Delaware