Scuttlebutt

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.

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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.

  • The 1934 Sinking of the Nantucket Lightship

    In 1934, the ocean liner Olympic rammed and sunk the Nantucket lightship. Sinking of the Nantucket lightship video

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  • Overfalls 2023 Year End Message

    It has been an exciting 85th year for our beloved LV118, Lightship Overfalls and the Overfalls Foundation.  As we begin 2024, it’s nice to take a moment to reflect on what the Foundation has been able to accomplish this year. First and foremost, 2023 marked the 50th year LV118 has been on the Lewes waterfront. …

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  • Man Overboard Lights

    There are several life rings located on the Overfalls weather deck. These rings were to be tossed to someone who had fallen overboard. Right beside each life ring is something that looks like a large mustard-colored flashlight. These are man overboard rescue lights. They are battery powered and are designed to be tossed, with the…

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  • So What Kind of Clock Is That?

    Located above the helm on Overfalls, this is a 24 hour Chelsea Clock. The United States military uses 24 hour timekeeping because it make it easier to differentiate between AM and PM. Two thirty in the morning is 0230 hours (usually referred to as “o-two-thirty”). Two thirty in the afternoon is 1430 (or “fourteen-thirty”). This…

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  • Overfalls Foundation Seeks New Board Members!  

    Join our team and be a part of preserving Delaware’s only maritime National Historic Landmark!  The Overfalls Foundation is seeking at least 5 volunteers to be nominated in September and elected in October to serve on the Board of Directors.  The Board is actively involved in the operations of the iconic Overfalls Lightship museum, Ship’s Store, and…

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