Milford chronicle., 1934-11-09
HOPE TO CREATE NEW
SPORTSMEN'S PARADISE
Rchcbnth BAY In Eastern Sussex i
Likely Spot

Rchobuth Bay. IN eastern SUISSE
County. was at one time a widely
known gaming area. according Il
old residents who recall vividly the
sporting crowds that filled the
douglas House" and "Tredenic's,
half mile between RehobOth Beach
and RehobOth Bay, during the shoot
ing season.
Al that time men travelled by train
from Reading. Philadelphia. and
Wilmington. and by steamer from
New York TO enjoy the wildfOwl that
ahnunded in the marshes surround
ing RehCbOth and Indian River Bays
and their tributaries. AccOmmOda-
tions al these and other hotels were
booked as much as year in advance.
and were al premium during the
season. many sunners staying two
weeks al each end of the period.
The hotel hacks" which met the
train in Rehoboth and the Old Do
miniOn Line steamer at Lewes. were
accompanied during the cunning
season by an extra wagon to care
for the duflle brought along by the
sportsmen In the evening the lob
hies and bars of the hotel rang with
rich laughter and stories oi the day 5
bag. of guns. of hunting companions
and pediGreed dogs. In the ice
houses behind the hotels were
checked" the days bags. to he taken
back To the city when the Sportsmen
returned home
Tlp2T1fp0 ,,,i,..tt.,
homes cared for the overflow of those
who had travelled long distances tn
shoot ducks. teal. and wild geese
THAI neSted through the winter
months around the broad eXparSe
oi those inland bays. feeding on the
lush erOwihS of salt water grasses
in the marshes
But for the last several years. due
to the alternate closing and slight
opening Of Indian River Inlet. which
connects these bays with the ocean.
seven miles south of Rehnboih
Beach. the CraSSc~ have been prac-
tically killed on As result. the
wildtuWl Uo longer nest over the
winter m these SUSSEX marshes.
qauSinc merely over uight to rest
ami passing on II better feeding
Grounds: ChincctFacuc Bay. 81 miles
10 the Suuilward. with a wide and
deep inlc; To the ocean. has lush
of grass in its marshes and
Wild geese and ducks nest there in
prOiusiOn Throughout the winter
SportSmen and other game au-
thoriliC> explain THAI the scarcity
of duck tnnd in Rchuhuth and In
dian River Rays is the result of the
closing 0f The inlet. which has caused
hich tides to rot. scald.
and tiood-ou, the marsh grasses
Al>o, they point out, the clogged in
lct allows just sufficient degree of
>lainiiy TO prevent the growth of
fresh wafer grasses. and yet not
enough for SAX water vegetation. OF
which the ducks are 81 fond
The Delaware Mosquito Control
commission j. now putting on an
drive 10 secure funds 10
open Indian River Inlet. and have il .
properly maint aimed with sufficient
eities. This group is interested pri- +
Air+' a. ~ a AIN NlbHSNu NOllll-
ron Of the present inlet prevents
my rise and fall of tides in the bays.
md reasonable tide range is es-
'eniial If the mosquito control ditch /
nS program is 10 be completely sue
'Cssiul in times of heavy rain and /
lortheaSt winds. The tide range |
which was p inches when Indian /
DIVER Inlet was open. is now only
our inches under the hes; of con-
itions, and zero during northeast 1
toTmS and heavy rainy seasons.
To facilitate this movement. the
loSquito control group has had II
opieS Of petition placed in forty
We public places in the area bound
q by the Lewes-GeOrgetown road. II
lie duPon, highway. and the Della
Maryland State line. consider h
d 10 be the section most vitally con-
arned with gaining a livelihood
ON the bay.
Il is also expected that the open
lg of Indian River Inlet. and its
with proper jetties. II
Ill restore oyster. clam. and crab
IduStries which in past years
Fought good incomes to residents
the area surrounding these inland
aserways. AS in years when the
let was deep and wide, il is an
cipated that on its reOpening.
'aStwise vessels will again carry
e products of farm lands and local
duStries from the shores Of these
Us and their tributaries to At
ntic coastal ports. However. ii is
alized by all concerned that the