Station Lewes, Delaware
Coast Guard Station #139
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Location:
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On Breakwater Harbor, 2 miles southwest of north tip of Cape Henlopen; 38-46' 50"N x 75-07' 10"W
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Date of Conveyance:
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1883
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Station Built:
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1883; 1939
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Fate:
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Turned over to the GSA in 1969
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Remarks:
The first station was built in 1883 and was originally part of the Fifth Life-Saving Service District. During a service-wide reorganization it became part of the Sixth Life-Saving Service District (circa 1905?).
A newer station was constructed on the site in 1939.
Keepers:
John A. Clampitt was appointed keeper on 9 February 1894 and resigned for physical reasons on 10 November 1893.
William E. Tunnell was appointed keeper on 27 December 1893 and was promoted to Superintendent of the 6th District on 12 March 1907.
Theodore Salmons was appointed keeper on 4 April 1907 and died on 9 August 1909.
John S. Lynch was appointed keeper on 9 September 1909 and was still serving in 1915.
Photographs:
No caption/date; Photo No. 34; photographer unknown.
“Lewes Lifeboat Station”; 1964; Photo No. 3CGD10146425; photographer unknown.
Sources:
Station History File, CG Historian’s Office
Dennis L. Noble & Michael S. Raynes. “Register of the Stations and Keepers of the U.S. Life-Saving Service.” Unpublished manuscript, compiled circa 1977, CG Historian’s Office collection.
Ralph Shanks, Wick York & Lisa Woo Shanks. The U.S. Life-Saving Service: Heroes, Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard. Petaluma, CA: Costaño Books, 1996.
U.S. Treasury Department: Coast Guard. Register of the Commissioned and Warrant Officers and Cadets and Ships and Stations of the United States Coast Guard, July 1, 1941. Washington, DC: USGPO, 1941.