Delaware Coast Press
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Delaware Coast Press
Contributed by Harrison

Description: 1742 Nanticoke Tribe Made Plans For Uprising Against European Colonist In Sussex On Delaware
Date: 1747

Newspaper published in: Rehoboth

Source: Michael Morgan collection

Lewes On Delaware, 1747

Ryves Holt made it known to the people of Sussex that the Nanticoke Tribe had met with other Native American tribes in the Pocomoke Swamp and laid plans for an uprising against the European colonist on the eastern shore. This uprising was initiated by Shawnee leader Messowan who offered 500 Shawnee warriors and help from other northern tribes. This uprising was to begin with the French-Indian attack at "Apple Time". However, the uprising never came. Leaders were captured and imprisoned in Maryland. Eventually they were released by officials who declared " We are rather desirous to use you kindly like brethren in hopes that it will beget the same kindness in you to us".

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LAST VOYAGE OF THE QUEEN OF THE SKIES

“QUEEN OF THE SKY”

OVER

CAPE HENLOPEN

April 1933, Lewes, Delaware

The large lighter-than-air “Airship Akron” silently passed over Cape Henlopen on a north bound voyage which proved to be it's last trip. The Akron was almost 800 foot in length and was as tall as a 15 floor building. The large 'hull', covered with fabric, held nonflammable helium bags to keep her afloat, crew quarters for 90 some men, and 8 engines that could propel her to 90 MPH. Also carried were 4 fixed wing aircraft which could take off and land while the airship was in the air. It is no wonder the ship earned the nickname “Queen of the Skies”.

On it;s way north, just off the coast of Atlantic City, New Jersey, heavy winds drove the Akron into the Atlantic Ocean, where the rough seas broke her up, loosing most of her crew. Debris from the accident washed ashore for weeks. The Delaware coast News reported that Mrs. Wilbur Corkran of Henlopen Acres, Frank Tylecki and Dorman Johnson of Rehoboth found parts of the Akron on the beach between Rehoboth and the Indian river Inlet. The U.S. Coast Guard also found scraps of wreckage which marked the end of “The Queen of the Skies”.

Michael Morgan Collection, and Delaware Coast Press, 19 April 1933

1934 March Snowstorm and a Maltese Cat.

1934

MARCH SNOWSTORM

AND

A MALTESE CAT

Lewes, Delaware, March 2, 1934 Delaware Coast News

A topsy-turvy nor'easter coastal storm made a turn for the worst and the sea flooded the street of Lewes and dumped a heavy snow covering the coastal region. It's the same old story, a high pressure system with sub-freezing temperature collided with a low pressure, moisture laden system.

Delaware Bay was mostly frozen from the long winter cold spell and this storm cut communications between shore and the lighthouses leaving the keepers marooned. Supply boats were not able to make their daily trips because of heavy ice packets. Necessities ran short.

The tanker “J. C. Donnell” went aground on Brown Shoal, had a engine room fire which seriously injured a crew member, who was put on board a tug and headed toward Lewes and the Beebe Hospital. Close to Lewes, ice prevented it from landing at pier and the injured crewman was transferred to a small boat which was slid across the ice then pulled to shore, and the man was taken to the hospital and treated.

Then more problems. Temperatures began to rise, rain began to fall, ice and snow melted, and the beach community of Kimmytown was flooded with almost three foot deep waters, hindering the efforts of local residents trying to aid the stranded crew members out in the Breakwater.

On the southern edge of town, near the railroad station, the W. J. Warren Canning Company lost 2300 bushels of pea seed to be planted for precessing in May and June. All over the area cars that tried to drive through the flooded streets were stuck from the water flooding out their engines. The canal reached almost it overflow stage and Lewes Pilots were landed up the bay for the week.

The Delaware Coast News reported a happy story of the flood. “A small Maltese cat, marooned atop a wood fence post in a vast expanse of water” was saved by a fireman within several hours.

Michael Morgan collection:

BLACKWATER NEWS

BROOKE MEANLY COLLECTION

CAMBRIDGE, MARYLAND

1978

Blackwater National Wildlife Center , a vast area, 11,000 acres or so, of marsh and pine tree forest is located in southwestern Dorchester county's Hoopers Island District. It was established in 1938 . In the late 1970's it had the largest nestling’s of bald eagles in eastern North America, north of Florida, the largest number Delmarva Fox Squirrel, was a major stop for Canadian Geese along the Atlantic Flyway, a large muskrat trapping area, and the only known nesting area of the red headed woodpecker in Maryland.

Blackwater appears a lot like the Florida Everglades and it has been referred to as the Northern Everglades by some people.

The Blackwater River is the main river flowing through the marshes. Fed from three swamps, Gum Swamp, Kentuck Swamp and Moneystump Swamp. It is said the dark water of the river is because of the swampy source.

Other water sources are the Little Blackwater River, Meeking Creek and Transquaking Rivers, all mostly fresh water. They empty into Fishing Bay.

There is concern that salt water from Chesapeake Bay will eventually be a problem as it seeps through the Blackwater.

DORCHESTER NEWS

LIBERIAN PRESIDENT 1857 TO 1864 BORN 1816

DORCHESTER COUNTY MARYLAND

STEPHEN ALLEN BENSON, (1816-1865), was born a black freeman in Dorchester county, Maryland. At age six, he and his parents emigrated to Liberia, on the African Coast with a movement sponsored by the American Colonization Society, a white resettlement movement of mixed motives.

After several years of native African resistance, in which Benson lost a brother, his father wounded and he and other siblings captured, Liberia formed a government much like the early American's had and Stephen Benson took a seat on the Colonial Council as a Judge in 1847. In 1853 he was elected as Vice President of the Republic of Liberia. In 1856 he became the second president of Liberia's Republic until 1864, then returning to his coffee plantation in Grand Bassa where he died in 1865.

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

A veteran came to help for the second time, after the 2014 March 1st snow storm, and removed the drifted snow and ice from our driveway in Whispering Pines. This times it was VFW member Ronny Bailey, a Broadkiln Post 6984 member.  It is a large comfort to this 80 some year old member of VFW post in Milton to know that the commander grants this aid to its aged and handicapped veterans and families.