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The James Goss Collection [1971.8] Contact Information – The Lewes Historical Society Attn: Archives 110 Shipcarpenter Street Lewes, Delaware 19958 Tel., 302-645-7670 Fax, 302-645-2375 http://www.historiclewes.org/research/archives.html Copyright Statement – Please cite material from this collection as "Courtesy of The Lewes Historical Society" Dates – c. 1885 – c. 1904, Inclusive [c. 1895 – c. 1904, Bulk] Extent – .5 linear feet Scope & Content Notes – Two important construction projects of national significance took place in lower Delaware Bay off Cape Henlopen at the turn of the twentieth century and were undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers. At the time of their construction, each breakwater was either the largest or second largest of its kind in the world. The first was the filling in of the “Gapway” or the area between the breakwater and icebreakers of the Delaware Breakwater which was built in the middle part of the 19th century. The area promoted swift and dangerous currents and shoaled easily creating a hazardous environment for sailors seeking refuge. Almost immediately after the connection across the Gapway was complete, however, the limits of the Delaware Breakwater became apparent. The complex was designed for ships of the early 1800s and by the time the project had reached its intended conclusion just after the Civil War, ships required much greater drafts for safe anchorage. To remedy this project, Congress authorized the construction of a “National Harbor of Refuge” to be built off Cape Henlopen to provide a safe area for the larger vessels of the day. Extending into the mouth of Delaware Bay for nearly a mile and a quarter, the Harbor of Refuge Breakwater still provides protection for the tankers and cargo ships of today. The Goss Collection is comprised of 39 photographs depicting the work on the Gapway and the Harbor of Refuge Breakwater. Appraisal & Arrangement Notes – Both appraisal and arrangement were conducted in December 2002. No material was disposed and a superficial hierarchy was imposed following the known construction phases at the breakwaters. Geographic Place Names – Bellevue Cape Henlopen Delaware River Delaware Bay Lewes, Delaware New Castle, Delaware Wilmington, Delaware Corporate Names – Bellevue Quarry Hughes Bros. & Bangs Calendar of Photographs – 1971.8.1 – Cherry Island Range Front 1971.8.1 – 1971.8.1 – Cherry Island Range Front Light with Edgemoor Lighthouse Depot to right. Note lighthouse on pier, keepers dwelling to rear and fog bell in small structure at pier’s end, c. 1900. 1971.8.2 – Schooners and other sailing vessels docked at New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. 1971.8.3 – Steamers at New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. These vessels carried the stone quarried at Bellevue used in the construction of Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and the filling in of the “Gapway” of the Delaware Breakwater. 1971.8.4 – Steamers off New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. These vessels carried the stone quarried at Bellevue used in the construction of Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and the filling in of the “Gapway” of the Delaware Breakwater. 1971.8.5 – Steamers at dock in New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. These vessels carried the stone quarried at Bellevue used in the construction of Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and the filling in of the “Gapway” of the Delaware Breakwater. 1971.8.6 – View of the wharves at New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. 1971.8.7 – Steamers on the Delaware River heading past New Castle, Delaware, c. 1900. These vessels carried the stone quarried at Bellevue used in the construction of Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and the filling in of the “Gapway” of the Delaware Breakwater. 1971.8.8 – Steamer making way on the Delaware River, c. 1900. These vessels carried the stone quarried at Bellevue used in the construction of Harbor of Refuge Breakwater and the filling in of the “Gapway” of the Delaware Breakwater. 1971.8.9 – Bellevue Quarry Entrance, New Castle County, Delaware, c. 1895. [“Com. 57 No. 240”] 1971.8.10 – Bellevue Quarry Delaware River Wharf, Wilmington, Delaware, c. 1895. [“Com. 57 No. 236”] 1971.8.11 – Unloading Stone at the Delaware Breakwater, c. 1898. “Gapway at Low Tide. Looking Westward from the Western End of Breakwater.” 1971.8.12 – Unloading Stone at the Delaware Breakwater, c. 1898. “Gapway at Low Tide. Looking Westward from the Western End of Breakwater.” 1971.8.13 – Unloading Stone at the Delaware Breakwater, c. 1898. “Gapway at High Tide. Looking Westward from the Western End of Breakwater.” 1971.8.14 – Clearer image of .13 with only one 3-masted vessel in background and Exchange Building visible, c. 1898. “Gapway at High Tide. Looking Westward from the Western End of Breakwater.” 1971.8.15 – “Breakwater and Ice Breaker. View from Light-House at Eastern End of Breakwater.” This picture was taken from the East End Light and shows the filling in of the Gapway; West End Lighthouse (Strickland Lighthouse) and Maritime Exchange building are also visible. Two schooners also visible, c. 1898. 1971.8.16 – “Breakwater. Looking Eastward from Western End of Breakwater.” Looking east from the West End Light over the Maritime Exchange building towards the East End Light. Note profile of Cape Henlopen, wreck on the cape, and the Cape Henlopen Lighthouse on the extreme right of the picture, c. 1898. 1971.8.17 – “Gapway Wall. Close View of Harbor Face.” Note the three three-masted schooners and one four-masted schooner in the distance, c. 1898. 1971.8.18 – “Gapway Wall at Connection with Ice Breaker, Looking Northward from Harbor.” Lone dory sits in harbor with shed on connection in background, possibly used as rest area for workers, c. 1899. 1971.8.19 – “Gapway Wall, View of Sea Face from Western End of Breakwater.” Barge inside breakwater and aid to navigation at end of ice breaker, c. 1899. 1971.8.20 – “Gapway Wall, View Along Sea Face Looking Westward.” Barge and steamer inside breakwater with men walking along the wall, c. 1899. 1971.8.21 – “Gapway at Low Tide, Looking Westward from Western End of Breakwater.” Note steamers, sailing vessels and structure on breakwater, c. 1898. 1971.8.22 – “Gapway at Low Tide, Looking Eastward from Eastern End of Ice Breaker.” Cape Henlopen in distance, West End Light (Strickland Light) and Maritime exchange are visible as is the East End Light. Steamer and bark visible in Delaware Breakwater Harbor, man rowing dory through gapway, c. 1898. 1971.8.23 – Danger Through Gapway. “Eastern End of Ice Breaker, Wreck of Schooner M.E. Byard.” Danger through Gapway was a day mark utilized by mariners and noted in Light Lists of the day, c. 1898. 1971.8.24 – “Delaware Breakwater Harbor, View from End of Iron Pier.” Visible on the Breakwater are the West End Lighthouse (Strickland Lighthouse) and the Maritime Exchange building. Many schooners and steamers – including one carrying stone for the project – are visible in harbor and beyond, c. 1898. 1971.8.25 – “Breakwater and Ice Breaker. View from Light-House at Eastern End of Breakwater.” Taken from the East End Light and looking towards the West End Lighthouse (Strickland Lighthouse) as well as the Maritime Exchange; connection in Gapway beginning to fill in, c. 1899. 1971.8.26 – “Breakwater. Looking Eastward from Western End of Breakwater.” Taken from West End Lighthouse (Strickland Lighthouse) looking over Maritime Exchange toward East End Lighthouse. Three-masted schooner to left, steamer to right. Wireless station visible on Cape Henlopen as is possibly Cape Henlopen Light or Cape Henlopen Beacon, c. 1898. 1971.8.27 – Stars & Stripes at the East End Light, c. 1900. Possibly taken from a tender, West End Lighthouse (Strickland Light) visible as is the completed connection across the Gapway. 1971.8.28 – National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater completed with temporary light and structures at south end, including fog bell, c. 1901. 1971.8.29 – “National Harbor of Refuge from Inside Toward Lower End. Com 2-291.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.30 – “National Harbor of Refuge Progress View from Outside of Lower End Com. 2-280.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.31 – “Harbor of Refuge Showing View from Lower End. Shows Mounds with Range Points. Com. 2 No. 286.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.32 – “Harbor of Refuge from Inside Upper End Range Mounds to the Right. Com. 2 No. 290.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.33 – “National Harbor of Refuge Progress of Work on Superstructure. Com. 3-317.” View of Hughes Bros. & Bangs steam derrick vessel placing stones at end of Harbor of Refuge, c. 1901. 1971.8.34 – “Hughes Brothers & Bangs’ Dump Barge No. 21. Com. 6-318.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.35 – “Harbor of Refuge. Steamer Glenochil on the Rocks. Com. 2 No. 270.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.36 – “Harbor of Refuge. Steamer Glenochil on Rocks. Com. 2 No. 268.” Taken c. 1901. 1971.8.37 – Completed National Harbor of Refuge Breakwater with gentleman standing on tightly fitted stones. Gentleman is standing on dedication stone, c. 1904. 1971.8.38 – Completed Harbor of Refuge Breakwater with temporary light, landing facilities and fog bell, viewed from west, c. 1904. 1971.8.39 – Completed Harbor of Refuge Breakwater with temporary light, landing facilities and fog bell, viewed from southeast, c. 1904. The Lewes Historical Society 110 Shipcarpenter Street Lewes, Delaware 19958 Tel: 302-645-7670 Fax: 302-645-2375 E-Mail: research@historiclewes.org ©2002-2005 The Lewes Historical Society |
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