Effort reignited to restore Delaware Bay lighthouse
After the structure sat virtually untouched for nearly two decades, the owner of the Fourteen Foot Bank Lighthouse is reigniting an effort to restore the historic beacon that sits about 3 1/2 miles off the coast of Bowers Beach..
Michael Lynn Gabriel purchased the lighthouse during an online auction in 2007 for $200,000. At the time, he had big plans, but health issues precluded him from pursuing any projects.
Gabriel, who lives on the West Coast, said he had a meeting with the Coast Guard in July, and the hope is that the agency can participate in the restoration effort. He said the timing works out because the Coast Guard will soon be upgrading the lighthouse’s batteries and solar component. He said the Coast Guard can easily position the batteries closer to the walls to free up more usable space inside the structure.
Gabriel said the most important thing to do right now is to create a powered lift for people and equipment to access the lighthouse.
“I want people to be able to go on and off the lighthouse easily without climbing dangerous, wet ladders 30 feet in the air,” he said.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will also be consulted on whether it can design a dock.
Gabriel’s ultimate goal is to restore what was removed from the lighthouse 50 years ago when it was automated.
“To this day, no one at the Coast Guard can explain why they gutted lighthouses rather than simply putting a lock on the doors,” he said.
Gabriel established a GoFundMe page to collect money for restoration efforts. He said he does not expect to receive funds from the public, but hopes he can acquire grants in the future.
The lighthouse is named after an oval shoal of the same name in Delaware Bay. Prior to a lighthouse being constructed on site, the area was monitored by a lightship. However, harsh winters often forced the lightship to abandon its post and seek refuge behind the breakwater off Lewes. A lighthouse was recommended in 1878 to ensure 24-7 coverage.
Construction of the lighthouse occurred from 1885 into 1887. It was the first lighthouse in the country to be constructed using the pneumatic caisson method. The wooden base and the cast-iron cylinder were made on shore and sailed to the shoal from Lewes about 20 miles away. When complete, the project came in under budget at $125,000. The lighthouse was activated in April 1887.
The keeper’s house atop the caisson is a two-story, cast-iron dwelling, fabricated by Messrs. H.A. Ramsay & Son of Baltimore, Md. There was a basement between the first floor and the concrete base of the caisson cylinder. If the project comes to fruition, Gabriel plans to restore the three bedrooms and two bathrooms, as well as a kitchen with period-appropriate appliances. He hopes to power the living space with a wind generator.
Gabriel said he hopes to host tours and possibly offer the living space as a bed and breakfast.
Gabriel posted on YouTube a collection of videos from a recent walk-through of the lighthouse. It shows the current condition, highlighting what Mother Nature can do to a lighthouse if it’s left unattended for several decades.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
