Welcome to The Scuttlebutt, the Overfalls Foundation blog, where you’ll find our newsletters, articles on activities & events, photos & video clips, additional historical information, and Maritime Hall of Fame information.
Did you know?
Scuttlebutt, the Water Cooler Talk of 19th Century Seafarers
When office workers catch up on the latest scuttlebutt around the water cooler, they are continuing a long-standing tradition that probably also occurred on the sailing ships of yore. Back in the early 1800s, the cask containing a ship’s daily supply of fresh water was called a scuttlebutt (from the verb scuttle meaning “to cut a hole through” and the noun butt, “cask”); that name was later applied to a drinking fountain on a ship or at a naval installation. In time, the term for the water source was also applied to the gossip and rumors generated around it, and the latest chatter has been called “scuttlebutt” ever since.
Due to the weather conditions, the following changes are in effect for the Lewes Maritime Day and Overfalls Opening Ceremony scheduled to take place today, May 20th, 2023.
1. The opening ceremony planned for 10 am in Canalfront Park is canceled. However, a smaller memorial service will be held at the gangway of the ship for family members of those who are being memorialized.
2. The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the Cannonball House to take place at noon will proceed as planned.
3. Exhibits are canceled with the following exceptions:
– The Lightship Overfalls will be open for tours from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.
– The tall ship AJ Meerwald will be open for tours from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The 2:00 pm sailing will proceed as planned. Sunday’s noon sailing will also proceed as planned.
– The “History Happens Here” Cruise with the Lewes Historical Society and Cape Water Taxi will take place at 11:00 am as planned.
– The HMS DeBraak Program at the Zwaanendael Museum will take place at 4:00 pm as planned.
– “Chantey Tavern Night” at Lewes Historical Society Campus will take place 4:00-7:00 pm as planned.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.
- Happy Birthday LV118!Today is the 85th anniversary of the launching of Lightship Overfalls (LV118) and her christening. First named “Cornfield” to associate her with her first duty station at Cornfield Point, the event marked the first time the ship touched the water […]
- Come for a visit this summer!85 Years of History Video […]
- What on earth is that?CP-95/PD This is an artifact from the Cold War and was on LV118 when she arrived in Lewes in 1973. The CP-95/PD (commonly called a Radiac) was used to read the amount of radiation an individual had been exposed to. […]
- Overfalls Launches New Website!Welcome to our new Overfalls Web Page! The new website offers an improved viewing experience that makes it easier to navigate whether you are using a computer or a mobile device. It’s also easier to manage and incorporates the latest […]
- Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame inducteesThe Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame honors those who have given uniquely and generously of skill, energy, heart, and time in building Delaware’s maritime heritage. The Hall of Fame is sponsored and managed by the Overfalls Foundation, an all-volunteer non-profit […]
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The Overfalls Beacon Newsletter
219 Pilottown Road
P.O. Box 413
Lewes, Delaware 19958
Phone: (302) 644-8050
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