Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17


sSsxusSS%. balcony of light house
[ is extremely fascinating
-->~ as watches the
-@ passing wayfarers Of
the sea and the ever
restless piunging Of white-crested waves, but it
is made additionally charming when the eye,
weary of gazing upon the endless expanse Of
water can turn and catch a sweep of inland life,
embracing green forests and fields, villages,
farms, lakes and ripping streams.
PROM CAPE HENLorES.
From the top of the Cape Henlopsn light ono
can see up the bay beyond quaint old Lewes.
another light house, its tall red form standing
in bold outline against the western stretch Of
woods and water. Across the bav to tho north
can be seen in favorable weather the lofty tower
of the Cape May light house, sixteen miles
away, its fiashlight at night distinguishing 1t
from the continuous light at Henlopen, South
ward many miles down the level sandy beach
is the lifessving station near Indian river inlet
one of four, two of which each side OF and
near by the cape. Looking overland is seen
Rehoboth bay. Newboid's lake, Gordon lake and
other sheets Of water of less importance, Lewes,
Rehoboth and smaller towns and as beautiful
spread OF level country as eye ever rested upon.
THE LIGHT HOUSE.
The light house was built in l725. the stone
being brought from England. 1t is seven sto-
ries high and the walls seven feet thick and in
shape octagonal. The beacon light shines 1S2
feet above the level of the sea- In daylight
when seen from Il distance, the tall tower looms
up like great white shaft and the mind of the
Washlngtonian at once reverts to the Washing
ton monument. Originally the interior was
finished In wood, but during the revolution
this was set on fire and destroyed by the Brit
lsh. piece Of the charred wood was saved and
handed down from generation to generation
and is now in possession Of DR.. L. W. Mustard
OF Lewes. In refnishing the interior stone en-
urely was used and today its condition is per-
feet.
THE LIGHT HOUSE BURNED BY THE BRITISH.
In connection with the burning of the inside
work of the light house there is an in tercsting
story, partly traditional, though somewhat au-
thentic. The keeper of the light house is eaid
to have been looking out on the ocean one
bright morning and saw vessel flying French
colors, and after her and not very far away a
British frigate, which was gradually lessening
the distance between them. When near the
cape two boats put out from the former. but
had not gone far when one returned. and Just
as one of the men climbed aboard a terrific ex-
plosioI took place. The sea seemed to be torn
asunder and hurled up to the sky. The
British frigate was nearly overwhelmed
u. tHe Iofce OF the waves ana the
shore was dashed in their madness. After
several minutes of deadly stiffness the smoke
and spray were blown away by gentle breeze
"A quiet calm prevailed-and there foated the
British vessel, and, save the light house keeper,
the lone spectator of the fearful scene. 1t vas
afterward said that the French vessel had
money and material for the aid of the American
states. The captain had returned to get some
rarers, when the arrangement he had made TO
blow up the ship, to prevent her falling into
the hands OF the enemy, took effect, and he and
the men in the boat near by were lost. The
British vessel cruised around for few days,
then landed some men ard burned the light
house and sacked the town of Lewes. 1t II said
that the first Jas. 4. Bayard-there were two
a member OF the continental congress before
the present century, secured an appropriation
for the grandchildren of the captain. as they
were living in poor circumstances in France
and had assisted in aiding the American cause
MEMESToEs OF DREADFUL SCENES
Tall, white and stately the light house might.
without investing much in sentimentality, be
pictured as a monument erected to The memory
of victims of innumerable shipwrecks and dis
nsters which have occurred within its very
shadow, for around aud about 1t and for miles
on the shores of the ocean and bay are scattered
remnants of wrecked vcsaels-sad and silent
historians of fearful scenes, of lives lost in the
fury of the waves. Up the bay toward Lewes,
masts and what not of the hundreds of craft
that have met their fate about the cape; some
partly submerged in water. others buried in
sand with barely projecting ends-verisable
tombstones of misfortune. Down the coast
for leagues high upon the banks which line the
shore and along the intervening storm washed
gaps can be seen driftwood Of wrecked ships
whose stories and names and the lives lost with
them have been forgotten.
The unfortunate Despatch on her last fated
trip at sea. nearly year ago, caught the signal
from the light house at Henopen and avoided
the dangers of the cape only to be swept to
destruction on the coast not many miles further
along.
In September, 1882 over twenty vessels we're
lost within radius Of half as many miles. and
the great blizzard of March, 'SS, strewed the
shore with the wrecks of more than thirty in that
single day, among them the wrecking steamer
of the station and one large barque, eight miles
out, from which, it is said, every soul aboard
was lost.
RENDEZVOUS FOR PILOTS.
This natural result of location necessitated
the adoption of the pilot, even in calm weather.
This important profession was recognized as
such far back as l765, and. singular to say,
the first OF record was an Indian. doubtless Of
tie Delaware tribe. Vessels, when commerce
in its cradle, were boarded by pilots in
"whaleboats," who went none too far ont to
meet incoming patronage. But now there are
regular pilot steamers, owned by the pilots
them elves, who cruise out to sea in search of
traffic. There are over thirty pilots here and
the income Of a steady, reliable man and &C tive
canvasser ia $4,000 to % 500 per annum. In
storms like the blizzard Of 1888 pilots them
selves arc thrown upon the defensive, for on
that occasion two of their boats were blown
ashore and several of their number barely res
cued BY ife-saving service men at the sta
ton.
THE GREAT SAND HILL.
Henlopen has a sand hill, which is o rare dis
tinction allotted to no other light house in
America, if in the world. It is not only at the
foot, but absolutely envelopes the base Of the
tall Structures threatening incubus or in
creasing attraction, just one chooses TO re-
gard it. Its scientific formation is attracting
the attention Of geologists-not so much this
particular one as the sand hill in general.
When the light house was located and erected in
IT'S the ground was level and the dwellings and
outhouses must in those times, have formed
unique picture. but the mystery Of the now
great sand hill evolved no one knows lust
when or how or why, and year by year
it has increased until it has reached
the neighboring tree tops in its sky
ward course. What height 1t may attain
is merely q matter Of conjecture. These
"dunes, !" as they are called. have in the east |
reached height Of 200 to 800 feet, though i. is
mt AZ all prohahle this rua will xa< x,,,,ch .