Ships take refuge in Lewes

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began building a breakwater in Delaware Bay in 1825. When completed, it created a safe place for ships to anchor during bad weather events such as hurricanes, nor’easters or blizzards.

The gap between today’s inner breakwater and the original ice breakers was closed in the late 1800s. Then a second breakwater farther out in the bay was authorized in 1896 and completed in 1901.

In the late 1800s, as many as 200 ships would seek refuge during storms, which is why the second breakwater was authorized by Congress. This undated photograph shows dozens of ships anchored off Lewes during snowy and icy conditions.