Fenwick Shoals in the Atlantic at Fenwick Island

How dangerous were the Fenwick Shoals to mariners and ships a century ago?

The Fenwick Shoals, located off the coast of Fenwick Island, Delaware, have historically been a dangerous area for mariners and ships. The shallow waters and shifting sands of the shoals have posed a significant navigational hazard for vessels traveling along the coast.

Fenwick Shoals Quote Image

Many ships were known to have run aground on the Fenwick Shoals, causing significant damage and loss of life. As a result, the United States government decided to build a lighthouse on the shoals to help guide ships safely through the area. The Fenwick Island Lighthouse was completed in 1858 and has been in operation ever since, helping to reduce the number of shipwrecks and improve navigational safety in the region.

fenwick's island lighthouse architectural drawing
Fenwick’s Island Lighthouse Architectural Drawing

Today, the Fenwick Island Lighthouse continues to serve as an important navigational aid for mariners traveling along the coast. While modern navigation technology has greatly reduced the dangers posed by the Fenwick Shoals, the lighthouse remains a symbol of the challenges faced by sailors and ships in the past, and a testament to the ingenuity and determination of those who sought to improve safety at sea.

fenwick island lighthouse lens
Fenwick Island Lighthouse Lens

Lighthouse Plans for Fenwick’s Island Delaware

Drawing Showing the Design of the Lighthouse Tower and Dwelling at Fenwick Island, Delaware

This architectural drawing was found on the United States’ National Archives Website. Note that “Fenwick’s Island” is how they referred to this location back in 1857.

Design for the Tower and Keepers Dwelling on
FENWICKS ISLAND
Scale 1/48.
Forwarded to the L.H. Board with the annual
report dated Octr 17th 1857.

fenwick's island lighthouse architectural drawing
Fenwick’s Island Lighthouse Architectural Drawing

The above drawing is available as a print and/or on a variety of home decor and lifestyle products. CLICK HERE
How about trying is on a JIGSAW PUZZLE?

Information listed with the lighthouse drawing at the National Archives…

Record Hierarchy

Record Group 26:
Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, 1785 – 2005

Series:
Lighthouse Plans and Maps, 1793 – 1939

File Unit:
Lighthouse Plans for Fenwick’s Island, Delaware

Item:
Drawing Showing the Design of the Lighthouse Tower and Dwelling at Fenwick Island, Delaware, 1857

National Archives Identifier:6281736
Local Identifier:DE, Fenwick Island #1
Creator(s):Department of Commerce. Bureau of Lighthouses. 1913-7/1/1939  (Most Recent)
From:File Unit: Lighthouse Plans for Fenwick’s Island, Delaware, 1857 – 1857
Series: Lighthouse Plans and Maps, 1793 – 1939
Record Group 26: Records of the U.S. Coast Guard, 1785 – 2005

Wood Print – printed on a wooden plaque

This historic architectural drawing of the Fenwick Island Lighthouse is almost the perfect image for a wood print.

Bring your artwork to life with the texture and added depth of a wood print. Your image gets printed directly onto a sheet of 3/4″ thick maple wood. There are D-clips on the back of the print for mounting it to your wall using mounting hooks and nails (included). CLICK HERE

Details

Level of Description:

Item

Type(s) of Archival Materials:

Architectural and Engineering Drawings

This item was produced or created:

1857

The creator compiled or maintained the series between:

1793 – 1939

Access Restriction(s):

Unrestricted

Use Restriction(s):

Unrestricted

Variant Control Numbers

ARC Identifier:6281736

Archived Copies

Copy 1:Preservation-Reproduction-Reference
Contact(s):National Archives at College Park – Cartographic (RDSC)
National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD 20740-6001
Phone: 301-837-3200
Fax: 301-837-3622
Email: carto@nara.gov
Copy 1 Media Information:Specific Media Type: Paper