Lightship Overfalls LV-118: A Floating Lighthouse

The Lightship Overfalls LV-118 stands as a testament to maritime navigation history in Lewes, Delaware. Commissioned in 1938, this vessel was the last lightship constructed for the United States Lighthouse Service before it merged with the Coast Guard. The ship never served at the Overfalls station but was named to recognize the lightships stationed on Overfalls Shoal. Throughout its service, the Lightship Overfalls (LV-118) served at Cornfield Point, Cross Rip, and Boston stations. These floating lighthouses were equipped with powerful lights, foghorns, and radio beacons to guide mariners safely. The lightships also had a foghorn to guide mariners in fog. With a range of five miles, horns sounded every 30 seconds in cloudy weather. A radio beacon on the lightships directed vessels further at sea, signaling to ships in Morse code up to 25 miles away. Today, the Lightship Overfalls is preserved as a museum ship, allowing visitors to step back in time and experience the daily lives of the lightship's crew. Explore the ship's various compartments, from the living quarters to the operational areas, and gain insight into the technology that kept the vessel running for decades. The ship is open for tours, and the surrounding Lewes Historic District offers charming shops and eateries to explore.