Elbow of Cross Ledge Light
Encyclopedia
The Elbow of Cross Ledge Light was a lighthouse
on the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay
on the east coast of the United States
, west of Egg Island Point. It was destroyed by a ship collision in 1953 and replaced by a skeleton tower on the same foundation.
, which stood somewhat to the south-east. A projection from Cross Ledge shoal
forces a slight turn in the ship channel, and it was felt that a light on this projection (the "elbow") would be more useful than the older light, which stood at some distance from the present channel.
Construction of the new light was considerably delayed from the first congressional
appropriation in 1904. Advertisement for bids had to be repeated as there were no submissions in the first round. In addition, setting and completion of the caisson
were interrupted by a severe storm in September 1907 which drowned one worker and set a scow
adrift with an inspector who was not located and rescued for two days. First light was not exhibited until February 1910.
The light was struck glancing blows by passing ships several times over the years. A story in the December 19, 1954 Philadelphia Evening Bulletin recalled that the keepers slept in life jackets for fear of having to abandon the station should it be struck. This precaution proved unnecessary, but only because damage from a storm in November 1951 had resulted in sufficiently serious damage that the light was automated, controlled by the keepers of the Miah Maull Shoal Light
to the south. On October 20, 1953, however, the Isthmian Lines'
ore freighter Steel Apprentice
, navigating in thick fog and without operable radar, struck the light head-on, knocking most of the house into the bay. The coast guard
removed the wreckage and erected a steel skeleton tower on the old foundation. This light remains in service.
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
on the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay
Delaware Bay is a major estuary outlet of the Delaware River on the Northeast seaboard of the United States whose fresh water mixes for many miles with the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. It is in area. The bay is bordered by the State of New Jersey and the State of Delaware...
on the east coast of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, west of Egg Island Point. It was destroyed by a ship collision in 1953 and replaced by a skeleton tower on the same foundation.
History
This light was built to replace the Cross Ledge LightCross Ledge Light
The Cross Ledge Light was a lighthouse on the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay on the east coast of the United States, southwest of Egg Island Point...
, which stood somewhat to the south-east. A projection from Cross Ledge shoal
Shoal
Shoal, shoals or shoaling may mean:* Shoal, a sandbank or reef creating shallow water, especially where it forms a hazard to shipping* Shoal draught , of a boat with shallow draught which can pass over some shoals: see Draft...
forces a slight turn in the ship channel, and it was felt that a light on this projection (the "elbow") would be more useful than the older light, which stood at some distance from the present channel.
Construction of the new light was considerably delayed from the first congressional
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
appropriation in 1904. Advertisement for bids had to be repeated as there were no submissions in the first round. In addition, setting and completion of the caisson
Caisson (engineering)
In geotechnical engineering, a caisson is a retaining, watertight structure used, for example, to work on the foundations of a bridge pier, for the construction of a concrete dam, or for the repair of ships. These are constructed such that the water can be pumped out, keeping the working...
were interrupted by a severe storm in September 1907 which drowned one worker and set a scow
Scow
A scow, in the original sense, is a flat-bottomed boat with a blunt bow, often used to haul bulk freight; cf. barge. The etymology of the word is from the Dutch schouwe, meaning such a boat.-Sailing scows:...
adrift with an inspector who was not located and rescued for two days. First light was not exhibited until February 1910.
Miah Maull Shoal Light
The Miah Maull Shoal Light is a lighthouse on the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay on the east coast of the United States, southwest of the mouth of the Maurice River.-History:...
to the south. On October 20, 1953, however, the Isthmian Lines'
Isthmian Steamship Company
The Isthmian Steamship Company was a shipping company founded by US Steel in 1910.Isthmian Steamship was the brainchild of US Steel President James A. Farrell, who had connections with the maritime industry through his father's trade as a ship's master...
ore freighter Steel Apprentice
USS Hansford (APA-106)
USS Hansford was a that served with the US Navy during World War II.Originally christened Sea Adder, the vessel was launched 25 April 1944 as Gladwin by Western Pipe & Steel of San Francisco, under Maritime Commission contract...
, navigating in thick fog and without operable radar, struck the light head-on, knocking most of the house into the bay. The coast guard
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
removed the wreckage and erected a steel skeleton tower on the old foundation. This light remains in service.