Milford chronicle., 1926-04-23
Glendale

We regret to hear that the old
lighthouse at Cape HenlOpen wnlcn
had stood the storms for over l5O
years was compelled at last to yield
TO the encroachment of the sea
which destroyed the small remnant
of the foundations left and caused
the old landmark to tOpple into the
ocean, leaving only a spot where the
old beacon once stood, and this will
soon disappear from view to satisfy
the seemingly insatisfable thirst OF
the angry waves. Thousands OF mar
iners will regret the passing of the
old structure, and will miss It's
cheering rays, as they were cast up
on the waters, reminding them OF
homes and loved ones not far away.
The old building with its blazing
eve has stood these many years as
signal of danger to those many
ships which had ventured too near
the shore. causing them to steer
clear of utter destruction on the
treacherous shoals nearby. How
manv times has the storm tossed
and weary toilers of the sea, whose
bark had been made almost total
wreck by the winds and waves OF the
ocean. have watched with eager
ewes for the first appearance of the
beams sent out from that seminal
which stood on the shore perhaps
forty miles away. What a shout OF
pladness would go up from the help
less crew as they recognized that
light which brought the cheering
hone that help was near at hand.
How often have the hundreds OF
skinDers of vessels passing out OF
the Delaware Capes bound for for
eign shores, waved an affectionate
farewell to their old friend, which
had been the sign post of safety for
so long. Many of these men never
reached the ports of destination, but
find graves in the depths of the deep
blue sea.
Towering above the sand dunes,
among which it stood in the old days
this lofty safety mark with its steady
flame looked on some of The stirring
scenes which happened on the wa
ters near its base.
In 1889 the English brig De Brach
equipped as a privateer, capsized IN
a gale within sight of the lighthouse
and all her crew was lost. Reports
say that this vessel carried a large
amount of specie which was never
recovered.
In 1918 during the World War, the
tanker, William Pratt, was sunk by
A German U boat. This was one OF
the last dramas to occur within
sight of the old guardian of the
coast. It's tower was Illuminated Tor
the last time September 3Oth, 1874,
after which the light was abandoned
as unsafe-yet it stood until April
18th. 1926. when with a mighty
crash it tumbled into the sea.
tt is a burning shame that there
did not remain in the hearts of the
American people and especially Del
awareans that love for the old MS
tOric spot which would provide ways
and means to save from utter de-
struction the old tower which sent
out its rays years before the Colon
les were able to shake Off the Hrlt-
ish yoke and become free and m
dependent nation.
The writer spent four years OF his
early life at this, which to him is
ballowed spot. His father was the
keeper of the two lights which eX-
listed at that time, known as the Dig
light" and little light" The larger
was known generally as "Henlopen
Light" and was quite a distance
- ...,,1Io,, Or,a and was Ouite
A few hundred feet from the ocean:
Your correspondent has heard MS
father say that he has been compel-
led IN witness the total destruction
of vessels and crews on the Hens
and Chickens Shoals without being
able to help them in any way. Ihls
happened many years before the
Coast Guard service, which mas Deeh
so efficient in saving human hVes'
had been brought into existence. He
further said that during the fierce
easterly gales which ragged along tne
Atlantic Coast in those days VIII
geese. ducks and many klnds Oh
birds would become bewildered by
the intensity of the storm and blind
ed bv the light, would fly against tne
tower and be killed by the contact
and fall on the pavement below
where they would be gathered up ny
the keeper or his assistant and such
as were fit were used for food.
The writer could say much more
but will close by saying he will ever
regard with affection the place Oh
such sweet memories, which brings
back vividly the scenes of his chllu-
hood. long before he was compelled
to leave the shelter of his IatheI ;
home, and go out and face the world
with all of its turmoil and evil ten
denotes.
The death of James H. Warren
which occurred at his home near
New Market, on Friday, April l6tn,
removes from Cedar Creek hunoreu
one of its best citizens. Mr.. Warren
who had reached the age OF more
than four score years was classed as
one of those old time gentlemen
whose word was as good as ms Dohu
He was an upright Christian man
who was loyal to his God, tamlly
and friends. He loved his home and
was satisfied only when ne was
there. with his loved ones gathered
around him. He at all times reacheU
out for the higher and noDler tnlHss
in life. and eschewed and threw
aside all those things which nave
tendency to degrade the human race
He lived such a pure me- Ine