Ye ole Flattop pic 1906

[RottnCaptn]

Just thought I would share this pic.

http://i18.ebayimg.com/03/i/01/8b/e2/e3_1_b.JPG

[agita]

Ron, thats awsome! I told my son about the house that used to be there and he don't believe me, cant wait to show him the proof! Thanks!
Agita

[Misconduct]

That don't look like the Flattop I know.

[canyon caster]

Originally posted by Misconduct:
That don't look like the Flattop I know. LOL!!! :D

[de41566]

flattop i know her

[Mega Bites]

Ron...I always wondered what it used to look like. Thanks smile.gif

[trianglekid]

GREAT SHOT
Whoever is writing that history on the Fort could use that as a cover.

[Ken Magnin]

I have always heard the story that it was used for target practice during WW II is this true if not why was it destroyed? Were Miah Maull and The Elbow operational when it was destroyed?

[RottnCaptn]

Originally posted by Ken Magnin:
I have always heard the story that it was used for target practice during WW II is this true if not why was it destroyed? Were Miah Maull and The Elbow operational when it was destroyed? Ken, This is all I could find:


In 1850, a screw-pile lighthouse was built upon Brandywine Shoal, and its initial success encouraged the Lighthouse Board to try it again at Cross Ledge. The project was begun in 1855, but ice floes during the winter of 1856 destroyed the work and caused the board to reconsider the wisdom of erecting screwpile lighthouses in so northerly a location. A lightship (Upper Middle Lightship) was placed on the site until Cross Ledge was completed in 1875. The new lighthouse was described as a black lantern on a white two-story wood framed structure, with lead colored trimmings, green shutters, and a mansard roof. The lighthouse was built atop a granite pier. Due to deteriorating condition of the foundation and the erection of the nearby Elbow of Cross Ledge Lighthouse, Cross Ledge was decommissioned in 1907. Today only the granite foundation remains. It is known to locals as "the rockpile."

[lost sole]

Originally posted by Ken Magnin:
I have always heard the story that it was used for target practice during WW II is this true if not why was it destroyed? Were Miah Maull and The Elbow operational when it was destroyed? **********************************
Some notes about Cross Ledge Lighthouse
**********************************


Damage from ice, storms and the action of the bay waters was a continual problem for Cross Ledge Lighthouse. The storm of October 1878 severely damaged nearby Cohansey Lighthouse and necessitated numerous repairs at Cross Ledge.

During the winter of 1892-93, ice and gales severely damaged the riprap supporting the granite pier to such an extent, the foundation of the lighthouse was undermined.

A survey of the condition of the lighthouse?s foundation in 1901 showed the need for substantial repair work to the foundation as well the addition of more rip-rap. Bids were invited but none received.

The construction of two new lighthouses, Elbow of Cross Ledge (two NAUT. miles NW) and Miah Maul Shoal (two ½ NAUT. miles SE) resulted in a decision by the Light-House Board that Cross Ledge Lighthouse could be discontinued without any injury to navigation.

Cross Ledge Lighthouse was discontinued and its keepers removed on or about February 1, 1910.

The structure itself survived a number of years longer despite vandalism and lack of any care. A military photo of the building dated May 1945 shows the structure to be in good condition despite the passage of time. Everything seemed to be intact except the upper part of the cupola.

The military was interested in Cross Ledge because they had designated it as a target for training missions involving aircraft and pilots stationed nearby. During WWII, numerous sites were designated as targets in the Delaware Bay area for training missions involving strafing, dive bombing, glide bombing, masthead bombing and rocket firing.

Cross Ledge Lighthouse was a target for aircraft like the Douglas Dauntless dive-bombers operating out of Naval Air Station Wildwood. Small practice bombs without explosives were used, such as seven-pound cast iron practice bombs, and these practice sessions left the old lighthouse much worse for wear.

The final demise of the former Cross Ledge Lighthouse came in 1962, when for safety reasons the Coast Guard set fire to what was left of the wood framed structure and burned it down to its granite base.

****************************************

Source of Notes: ?Guiding Lights of the Delaware River and Bay", Jim Gowdy and Kim Ruth, 1999,
ISBN 0-9670391-0-X

*****************************************
It was too breezy to do any fishing here today. The weather is nice though; all the azaleas are in bloom. I spent a good part of the day watching Tiger in TPC down at Sawgrass.
*****************************************
ls

[Ron Redington]

Nice pic Ron!

Thanx for sharing it with us smile.gif

[Ken Magnin]

Ron and lost sole thanks for the info. I take it from this that cross ledge light was their long before Miah Maull and the Elbow were built, and after they were built cross ledge was no longer needed so they just let it rot rather than spend anymore on its upkeep and then the military decided to use it for target practice.

[RodFather]

Awesome Ron, thanks for sharing.

[Darrin G. DGREENEMACHINE]

Very interesting history. Now I can look really good when I have the neighbors and sich fishing out there.

Thanks Ron, great hearing from ya!

[TWIN D'S]

Looking around on the internet, it seems the Elbow at one time looked just like Cross Ledge and Mia maull;

This lighthouse was rebuilt several times. The original light was a temporary built on this site in 1907, and was replaced by a permenant one in 1910. A hurricane in 1951 did extensive damage to the lighthouse and the keeper's were removed.

In October 1953, the light was struck by the ore freighter Steel Apprentice making it's way through dense fog and as a result 2/3's of the structure was destroyed, leaving only the caisson base and about 10-feet of the tower. In 1954, the structure that is present today was erected and installed on the original base and automated.

You'll need a boat to view this lighthouse.

[Misconduct]

Originally posted by Misconduct:
That don't look like the Flattop I know. Although there are some similarities, sometimes the light is on, but no ones home.

[nightstalker22]

Interesting thread guys...thanks.

[DONNY O]

I've learned something new. Thanks

Ron,
GREAT pic!

[Reel-ality]

Lost Sole and everyone, thanks for sharing the information. I often wondered what happened to it.

Dave Isanski

[creekfisher]

I love seeing old lighthouses and finding the history behind them. Really neat stuff. Thanks for the incite!