1915 Cape Henlopen Ligh t Inquiry letter.

CAPE HENLOPEN HISTORY

CAPE HENLOPEN LIGHTHOUSE 1915

On Wednesday, February 19, 1915 , T. J. Rout, of the Fourth Lighthouse District, of

Philadelphia, sent a letter of inquiry to master mariners and representatives of all

maritime interest, asking for their views regards the Cape Henlopen Light Station which

is in danger of tumbling into the sea due to storms the last two seasons causing erosion .

During the 1914 summer extensive shore protection works were built and kept under

careful and continuous observation but it now appears future storm damage nay make it

necessary to arrange for aids to navigation in the vicinity.

In view of the situation, Rout has asked for answers to the questions;

1. Do you consider the light at Cape Henlopen necessary to the safety of navigation in the vicinity ?
2. Do you consider whether future arrangements of all the lights in the vicinity is desirable
   and can be made so as to avoid the necessity of maintaining or rebuilding Cape Henlopen Light.?
3. Do you consider the light is absolutely necessary and a safe site cannot be found for
   it in the immediate vicinity and if the rearrangement of all lights in the vicinity
   is undesirable, whether the raising of the light at the Harbor of Refuge Station with
   proper increase of intensity will answer to purpose of navigation?

It is known that every maritime man in this vicinity is working for the rebuilding of the

Cape Henlopen Lighthouse set back several hundred feet, or, repairing bulkheads in

front to protect the light from future storms.

Abstract: The Wilmington Evening Journal, Wednesday, February 10, 1915.