Broad Creek Hundred in Bethel in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Bethel Shipyard

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

1. Bethel Shipyard Marker

Inscription. With the incorporation of the Lewisville Marine Railway Company in 1871, Bethel’s reputation as a center for ship repair and construction was firmly established. Approximately 40 vessels were built here before the last ship was launched in 1918. Many were “sailing rams”, uniquely designed and among the largest type of sailing vessels constructed in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Erected by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number S-79.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 38° 34.165′ N, 75° 37.166′ W. Marker is in Bethel, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in Broad Creek Hundred. It is on Main Street (County Road 493), on the right when traveling south. Located on the Northwest side of Broad Creek Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Moore St, Bethel DE 19931, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Mid-Atlantic

and on the Delmarva Peninsula.

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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Shipcarpenters and Seamen Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town of Bethel (about 400 feet away); Sailor's Bethel Methodist Church

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(about 400 feet away); Bethel Community House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Portsville United Methodist Church (approx. 0.7 miles away); Paul Laurence Dunbar School (approx. 2.2 miles away); Mount Zion United Methodist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); 709 West Street (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethel.

Bethel Shipyard Marker, looking south image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

2. Bethel Shipyard Marker, looking south

Bethel Shipyard Marker seen looking north on Main Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

3. Bethel Shipyard Marker seen looking north on Main Street

Town of Bethel Shipyard Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

4. Town of Bethel Shipyard Memorial Park

Bethel Shipyard Memorial Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2012

5. Bethel Shipyard Memorial Park

In Memory Of
The Skilled Shipcarpenters
and
Gallant Seaman
who
Built and Sailed the Wooden
Schooners and Rams
of
Lewisville Now Bethel Delaware
— • —
Erected by the
Town of Bethel
and
The Bethel Historical Society
1975

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,181 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on October 23, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.