Rehoboth Beach Delaware Breakwater 1906 Real Photo Postcard
The Delaware Breakwater, a monumental 19th-century civil engineering project, was constructed to create a sheltered harbor of refuge in Delaware Bay. Initiated by the U.S. federal government in 1828 and largely completed by 1869, it involved the strategic placement of massive quantities of stone to form a protective barrier against ocean waves and currents. This structure was crucial for safeguarding vessels navigating the treacherous waters at the mouth of the Delaware River, a vital artery for commerce to and from Philadelphia.
Its development highlighted the burgeoning importance of maritime trade and national infrastructure in the nascent United States. The breakwater provided a critical safe haven during storms, significantly reducing shipping losses and ensuring more reliable passage for both merchant and naval ships. The handwritten note on the postcard, estimating its cost at "ten million dollars," reflects the considerable investment and public appreciation for this substantial engineering achievement during its operational prime and into the early 20th century.
Its development highlighted the burgeoning importance of maritime trade and national infrastructure in the nascent United States. The breakwater provided a critical safe haven during storms, significantly reducing shipping losses and ensuring more reliable passage for both merchant and naval ships. The handwritten note on the postcard, estimating its cost at "ten million dollars," reflects the considerable investment and public appreciation for this substantial engineering achievement during its operational prime and into the early 20th century.
