CAPES OF DELAWARE BREAKWATER HISTORICAL FACTS.

HISTORY OF BREAKWATER HARBOR AT THE CAPES OF DELAWARE.

The Thursday, February 2, 1826, Wilmingtonian And Delaware Advertiser, a

Wilmington, Delaware newspaper, reported that the citizens of Delaware have solicit

the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress, to renew

attention of Congress to the construction of a Breakwater, or artificial harbor, in the

neighborhood of the Capes of Delaware.

Such protection for our shipping is much wanted, refer to a 1823 report of

commissioners acting under instruction of the Secretary of War, which was laid before

Congress.

To being the subjects importance to the fore, the citizens of the Delaware wish to

recite a few facts, hence;

The Delaware Bay, presents the only outlet to the Philadelphia and other ports

adjacent to the Delaware River, abounds in shoals. Shipping is often assailed by

sudden and violent gales of winds and during the winter months , beset with floating ice,

which to meet these dangers, skill and experience are often exerted in vain.

The amount of property jeopardized by the causes exceeds thirty millions of dollars

each year.

For the 300 mile distance between the Virginia Capes to New York Harbor,

here is not a single harbor or place of refuge for vessels navigating the dangerous coast.

The extent of this danger is that between the 1^st of January , 1824, and, 1^st of December

1825, 51 vessels were shipwrecked, within ten miles of the proposed Breakwater.

One tenth of the duties received at Philadelphia for a four year period would afford

the protection we which we solicit, and add the immeasurable distress and loss of

life, we hope congress will pass the granting of funds for the construction of a secure

artificial harbor at the Capes of Delaware.

Abstract: 08/17/18, by Harrison H., Lewes, from The Wilmingtoian & Delaware

Advertiser, 2 February 1826. for www.delmarhistory.blogspot.com & Facebook

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