What do the Mispillion, Broadkill and Nanticoke rivers and Broad Creek have in common, except being waterways in Sussex County?
They were all sites of shipbuilding enterprises in the 19th century and early 20th century.
Shipyards in Milton, Milford, Seaford, Laurel and Bethel were mainstays of the small towns’ economies, and by best estimates, about 1,000 wooden ships were built during a 50-year period.
After several months of building, a ship launching was a major event in small towns. Schools and businesses were closed as nearly everyone gathered on launch day.
So why Sussex County? An abundance of white oak forests and easy access to major waterways, including the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, were the major factors.
You would be hard-pressed to find any remnants of this industry that once thrived, except in one location. Thanks to the Lofland family, the site of the Vinyard Shipyard along the Mispillion River in downtown Milford has been preserved. The rest are marked with historic signs and markers.
The industry flourished until transportation modes began to change throughout the country in the late 19th century, including steam-powered ships, trains and automobiles. Some shipyards were able to adapt to the changes, but most did not.
In Bethel, along Broad Creek, which is a tributary of the Nanticoke River that empties into Chesapeake Bay, many different types of ships were built, but sailing rams were unique to the small town. They were highly sought after by Chesapeake Bay watermen because of their flat hulls.
About 40 vessels were constructed in Bethel up until 1918, according to author James Marvil in his book, “Sailing Rams: A History of Sailing Ships Built in and near Sussex County, Delaware.”
Only one sailing ram, Victory Chimes, is still afloat. Built in 1900 by the George K. Phillips Co., the ram was…
