Savannah Beach in Lewes in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Menhaden Fisheries

Lewes Maritime History Trail

Photographed By Mike Stroud, 2010

1. Menhaden Fisheries Marker

Inscription.
Menhaden, a small bony, oily fish was pursued not to be eaten but to be pressed for its oil and ground into fertilizer. Lewes' fisheries began in 1883 and reached their zenith in 1953 when the docks at Lewes strained under the weight on millions of pounds of menhaden, leading some to call Lewes "the nation's largest fishing port."

The fisheries were the town's main economic engines for the first half of the twentieth century, employing hundreds and supporting numerous local businesses, including marine repair, rentals for seasonal workers, and food services for the shipboard galleys.

The Lewes menhaden industry collapsed in the early 1960s as the local stock was severely depleted from technological improvements that led to overfishing. Nothing remains of the many fisheries-related businesses that were once located along Cape Henlopen Drive.

Erected by City of Lewes. (Marker Number 7.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.

Location. 38° 46.901′ N, 75° 7.82′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Savannah Beach. Marker is on Bayview Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located between Virginia Avenue and

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East Savannah Road, on the beach. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Bayview Ave, Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lighthouses (here, next to this marker); Lewes Station (approx. 0.3 miles away); Lewes Railroad Swing Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Fort Miles Connection (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Historic Lewes Canal Railroad Swing Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); Mayor Otis Smith (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lewes-Rehoboth Canal (approx. 0.6 miles away); Unknown Sailors' Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Also see . . . Menhaden. From Wikipedia. The Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) is a small, oily-fleshed fish that plays a major role in the marine ecosystem on the east coast of the United States. (Submitted on December 8, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)