National Maritime Day is a big deal in Lewes for many reasons. It is being celebrated on Saturday, May 17 although the rest of the country is celebrating on May 22 which is the annual date. Maritime Day honors and celebrates the United States Merchant Marine, an organization composed of United States civilian mariners and U.S. civilian and federally owned merchant vessels. It is the part of the maritime trade industry that deals with transporting cargo, and sometimes passengers, from place to place via water routes. Merchant mariners operate ships and other water vessels on domestic and international waters.
The “First Town in the First State” has a rich maritime history. The Lewes celebration takes place in conjunction with the season opening of the Lightship Overfalls. Events are being organized by the Overfalls Lightship Foundation and the Cape May Lewes Ferry, in coordination with the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. Festivities kick off with a brief 11 am opening ceremony at Lewes’ Canalfront Park.
Co-chair Michael Safina, says the Lewes Maritime Day is celebrated “to educate the public about the contribution of maritime resources in the local community and to share the community’s rich maritime history.
“The point is to highlight the day’s activities in a celebratory and fun way that guests can enjoy”, he said.
There is no admission fee. Exhibits and tours include the Lightship Overfalls, the U.S. Lifesaving Station, a pilot boat from the Pilots Association for the Bay & River Delaware, a water cannon salute from the Lewes Fire Department fireboat, a life raft demonstration by the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, fish casting by Henlopen Bait & Tackle, boat rides from Freedom Boat Club and music by Cathy Gorman. (Click to read more about the festivities.)
The Lightship Overfalls (LV-118) is a well-known landmark in the Lewes harbor. It was the last lightship commissioned in 1938 for the U.S. Light House Service which was subsumed into the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939.
“LV-118 arrived in Lewes in 1973 and was named Overfalls in honor of the ships and American Lightship Sailors stationed at the mouth of Delaware Bay at the Overfalls Shoals lightship station,” said Safina. “It was designated a National Historic Monument in June 2011.”
According to Safina, the United States Congress declared May 22 as National Maritime Day in 1933. “The designation honors the contributions of the American Merchant Marine – civilians who have defended the freedom of the United States since 1775 and who executed the largest sealift the world has ever known during World War II,” he said. “Approximately 1,554 merchant ships were sunk during the war and over 11,000 Merchant Mariners lost their lives”.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is located in King’s Point, NY. It is a federal service academy, like the U.S. Naval Academy, that trains its midshipmen to serve as officers in the United States Merchant Marine, branches of the United States Armed Forces and the transportation industry.
Also, LHS Historic Lewes (AKA the Lewes Historical Society) is staging its first ever Shanty Fest celebration on May 17. It commemorates “the maritime traditions of Lewes and the sea through music, art, and history”. Highlights include art from scrimshaw to tattoos, historical demonstrations and crafts, and a slate of bands performing music of the sea. There is a $15 charge for Shanty Fest that takes place from 11 am to 7 pm. Historic Lewes is located on Shipcarpenter Street. So there’s plenty of fun to dive into this Maritime Day!
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
