United States lightship Overfalls

The Overfalls is a lightvessel built in 1938 that guided ships through Delaware Bay and is now permanently docked at the Lewes waterfront. Its red hull displays the specialized equipment of a floating light station, including navigation instruments, signal systems, and crew quarters preserved for public viewing.

Built in 1938, the vessel served as a floating light for the United States Lighthouse Service until its decommissioning in 1972. The ship was constructed using riveted-hull methods, a technique that was phased out shortly after its completion as welding became the standard.

The vessel reveals how lighthouse keepers lived and worked aboard, with preserved cabins and equipment from their daily routines. The spaces show the isolation and responsibility that came with maintaining a floating light station.

Visitors can explore the vessel both above and below deck, with stairs and passages providing access to crew quarters and equipment areas. Plan your visit for warmer months when all sections are fully accessible and the open-air deck areas are most comfortable.

This lightvessel was the last riveted-hull ship built for the United States Lighthouse Service before the agency merged with the Coast Guard in the early 1950s. The riveting technique visible on its hull represents a construction method that became obsolete shortly after, making this one of few surviving examples of that shipbuilding era.

Location: Lewes

GPS coordinates: 38.77792,-75.14111

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:03