In working on the plans for Motor Coach Tours around the time of the 2001 Reunion, one tour would take us on this ferry and then up the NJ shore a ways.

I understand that the "Harbor of Refuge" light is off shore of Lewes and the ferry people tell me they pass it on the way. But how close is it? Is it easily photographed from Lewes?

Also in Lewes is the Lightship Overfalls. Is this on display? Are tours ever provided? Who do I contact about touring?

Any help would be appreciated.

John,

As I recall from the trips on this ferry, the Harbor of Refuge light is reasonably close when the ferry arrives/departs from Lewes. A decent photo is possible from the ferry, a good one if you have a long telephoto lens. I don't think you can get detail shots of the lantern room or the light.

Here's a link that may help with the Overfalls: http://www.maritimeman.com/wlv_118.htm . If you back that up to just the maritimeman.com, there are links and information about all of the extant lightships, including one they just found in Alaska.

Rick

John, When I was in Lewes couple of years ago, the Overfalls was looking pretty ratty. Didn't look like anyone had visited her for a while. Seems I just read in the Chesapeake Chapter newsletter that there is a renewed group interested in trying to restore her, but what they have been told is she needs to be beached.

You can see both the Harbor of Refuge & Delaware Breakwater lights from the state park reigh down the road from the ferry. I have not ridden the ferry, but would have to believe you could see at least one if not both from the ferry.

Lewes is not that big a town- the state park is maybe a half mile or so from the ferry & the Overfalls was parked maybe a half mile in the other direction.

Dave


[This message has been edited by Dave H (edited 09-19-2000).]

As I recall, one could hit H-of-R with a rock from the ferry.

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Christmas Lighthouse Hunting from West TN - Collector Forums

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-Art

John, we took the Ferry about five years ago and would have to agree with Rick that you would need a good telephoto for a decent shot of Harbor of Refuge. Following what Dave stated, it sounds like Overfalls has gone downhill since we visited. I am not sure who you could contact, however, it appeared that you could tour the ship back then although were pressed for time to board the ferry and did not get the chance. We did enjoy climbing and seeing Cape May, Hereford Inlet (of particular interest this year) and Barnegat as we travelled up the Jersey shore. This would make a great addition to the weekend.

I have a picture of Harbor of Refuge light that is almost identical to Art's and it was taken with a 200mm lens from the ferry. There is another light visible from the ferry (can't remember the name) but you would probably need a 300-400mm lens to get a decent picture.

Mike

The other light would be the Delaware Breakwater Light which is brown for the top 3/4 or so and white at the bottom. It is the outer light of the two.

Dave

John-if you are interested in adding a lightship to the pre-reunion tours, I would suggest the Portsmouth in Virginia. It is close to several lighthouses and the lightship was very well maintained. I toured this the summer of 1997 when I took my son to college. I hope it is still in the same condition.

Here is what Rod had to say about Harbor of Refuge after his recent trip:

Delaware Breakwater will take a good 300mm plus lens on a sunny day to get a decent shot from the ferry. We walked the beach at Henlopen State Park and got a MUCH nicer (closer) shot from that viewpoint.

Harbor of Refuge is not normally passed by at a very close distance either. If the shipping lane is fairly full though, the ferry will detour between the breakwaters, and pass by VERY close by (as Art mentioned). We lucked out, and it sailed on this alternate route. In the photo below, you can see another ferry boat in it's normal route.

Overfalls looked like it was in half way decent shape from the exterior when we were there. We didn't have time to tour it, but other's were onboard. Someday I'll post a shot of it (and the Breakwater Light from the beach).

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Rod Watson
[This message has been edited by Rod Watson (edited 09-21-2000).]