Day 16 SOUTHERN DELAWARE- LIGHTHOUSES AND WW 2

Day 16 SOUTHERN DELAWARE- LIGHTHOUSES AND WW 2

This Tuesday we looked south of the campground to see what was just between the Maryland border and Lewes Delaware. We had not explored this section of land. In between these points are two lighthouses on land and a number of wildlife viewing areas. The first objective was the State Park at Henlopen just a block away from the Lewes Ferry docks.

This Park has a number of features relating to WW2. In May of 1945 just after the war ended, a German submarine surrendered to the US Marines here and were interred first at Fort Miles (now the park land) and then in northern New Jersey. Also from WW 2 the giant 12 inch gun emplacements are still present at the preserved Fort Miles along with the fire tower, Battery 519 and the barracks. On the beach atop a large dune are the “off limits” nesting areas for the Piping Plover. These birds are “late” arriving this year due to the inclement weather. (Six consecutive days of rain.) In 1964 the US Gov’t. Returned the land to the state of Delaware turned the Fort into a tourist attraction and it was made into a 543 acre park. Much of the beach at the park is only accessible for fishermen with special $150,00 permits to surf fish. One access road that led to Gordon Pond (see later) was “Liaise Faire” to us. We had been warned not to mess with trespass laws.

FORT ,MILES 12 INCH GUN, BARRACKS AND ANTI-SHIP,ANTI-AIR BATTERIES. (3”)

On the beach atop a large dune are the “off limits” nesting areas for the Piping Plover. These birds are “late” arriving this year due to the inclement weather. (Six consecutive days of rain.) In 1964 the US Gov’t. Returned the land to the state of Delaware turned the Fort into a tourist attraction and it was made into a 543 acre park. Much of the beach at the park is only accessible for fishermen with special $150,00 permits to surf fish. One access road that led to Gordon Pond (see later) was “Liaise Faire” to us. We had been warned not to mess with trespass laws.

Also at Henlopen State Park was a former site of the immigration service’s holding camp for immigrants who came into the country with diseases or were very ill. They remained here until they were well and then released. Over a period of 35 years (1884-1918) some 200,000 of them were processed through. There is no facility there at this time.

The birds were minimal here but a friendly Wood Thrush helped the day count.
Then we worked our way to the southern end of this park by driving 15 miles roundabout to the other end and a pond called Gordon’s Pond. This site of 100 acres had been a Pirate den , a salt mine, and more recently a cooperative agreement among the various agencies to make it wildlife Preserve. There are many excellent biking and hiking trails here, and many youth camping sites. We met some retired ladies from D.C. who shared our telescope with us to spot a Wilson ’s phalarope. This is the bird that spins in the shallow water to stir up the food. It was a beautiful bird and a first for Ruth and me.
We drove by the homes and beautiful landscaped yards in Henlopen Acres that wound around the streets to show their spring blossoms and beautiful manicured lawns. The trees were tall and the colors vibrant and varied. The dominant bush was the many deep colors of the Azalea Bush. Yet few birds in all this “over cover”.

FENWICK ISLAND (DEL) LIGHTHOUSE .--- OSPREY AND MATE ON NEST

The last effort of the day was to drive to the very southern border of the state (borders with MD) and locate the lighthouse that marks the border between the two states. With only one short “turn back” we located it on the “inside bay”.

This lighthouse is on the site referred to as the “Transpeninsular Line” and was establish in the 1700 by agreement with the King of England and the US Government. It marked the line between the state of PA at that time and the COUNTY of Maryland, and the state of Delaware. The survey was undertaken by 4 men, two from Delaware and two from Maryland. It stretched east and west past the center of the state 35 miles west. It is (the lighthouse) 78 feet high and has a third order Fresnel lamp. Not in use today it was presented to Friends of the Lighthouse in the 1960’s. It is not used today as almost all lights are automatic and electronically operated as “front” and “back” lights. Both residences (the lighthouse keepers and the assistants) are occupied still.

FACT: Did you know that over 400 US ships were sunk off the coast of the US during WW2?

THE TRANSPENINSULAR LINE PLAQUE THE ORIGINAL STONE BEARING THE
SEALS OF THE PENNS (NORTH) AND CALVERTS (SOUTH SIDE) (1769)

The rain held off today until we started back and the prediction was that we will not have rain tomorrow when we break camp at least until afternoon. We will head for Chincoteague as the next camping spot. Thanks for reading and send an e mail anytime to: crazy4birds@comcast.net with any comments or questions. I will design a short quiz in the next few blogs. Just to keep you on your toes!!! (About the trip of course).