Three Historic Lenses from Delaware Bay

Thanks to Bob Trapani, then of the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation, for supplying these photos. Bob is now Executive Director of the American Lighthouse Foundation.

This third order Fresnel lens, from the Brandywine Shoal Light, is shown as it appears on display at the Tucker's Island Lighthouse replica in Tuckerton, New Jersey.

This fourth order lens is still mounted in the lantern of the Delaware Breakwater Light at Lewes. This light is no longer used for navigation, but it remains active for decorative purposes. The aluminum foil and blue wrap prevent the light from being seen by shipping. The lighthouse is owned by the Delaware River and Bay Authority and can be seen from boats of the Cape May-Lewes Ferry as they arrive or depart.

This is the fourth order lens from the Miah Maull Shoal Light in the New Jersey section of Delaware Bay. The lens was removed in 2015 and is now on display at the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay headquarters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

All photos copyright 2001 Bob Trapani; used by permission.

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January 31, 2002. Checked and revised July 21, 2024. Site copyright 2024 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.