Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred in Bethany Beach in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Shipwreck of the Faithful Steward

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 11, 2017

1. Shipwreck of the Faithful Steward Marker

Inscription.
The Faithful Steward, bound from Londonderry, Ireland to Philadelphia, ran aground on a shoal September 1, 1785 with 249 passengers aboard. Stormy weather drove the vessel toward shore where it became stranded in 4 fathoms (24 feet) of water within 100 yards of the shoreline. Strong winds capsized the ship and 181 passengers, including 93 women and children, perished. Looters soon arrived, carried off trunks of personal cargo, and picked the pockets of the deceased. The ship carried 400 barrels of British copper halfpennies and rose gold guineas. The coins redeposit along the shore after strong storms, giving rise to the name, Coin Beach.

Erected 2017 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-73.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Lost at Sea series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 1, 1785.

Location. 38° 37.668′ N, 75° 4.061′ W. Marker is in Bethany Beach, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Lewes & Rehoboth Hundred. It is at the intersection of

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Delaware Route 1 at milepost 12 and Savages Ditch Rd., on the right when traveling south on Delaware Route 1. Marker doesn't face the south bound traffic. You see it when you look up (west) Savages Ditch Road as you go through the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethany Beach DE 19930, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Indian River Life-Saving Station (approx. 0.4 miles away); Indian River Inlet and Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Charles W. Cullen Bridge (approx. 1.3 miles away); Sand Bypass System (approx. 1.3 miles away); United States Life-Saving Service (approx. 1.3

Shipwreck marker is hard to spot as it faces the highway, right in front of the power pole. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 11, 2017

2. Shipwreck marker is hard to spot as it faces the highway, right in front of the power pole.

miles away); a different marker also named Sand Bypass System (approx. 1.4 miles away); Catching Waves (approx. 1.4 miles away); a different marker also named Indian River Inlet and Bridge (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethany Beach.

More about this marker. Savages Ditch is a kayaker's paradise.

Regarding Shipwreck of the Faithful Steward. Tells the tale of a shipwreck and how nearby Coin Beach got its name. Coin beach is on the other side of the sand dunes. There's a parking lot at nearby Delaware Seashore State Park.

Additional keywords. Coin Beach

Shipwreck marker viewed from the north bound lanes. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Charles Quandt, September 11, 2017

3. Shipwreck marker viewed from the north bound lanes.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2017, by Charles Quandt of Dewey Beach, Delaware. This page has been viewed 2,689 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 11, 2017, by Charles Quandt of Dewey Beach, Delaware. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.