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Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse

Fl WR 10s🇺🇸New Jersey, USOperational

Location & Light Range

About Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse

Constructed in 1914, this lighthouse guides vessels along the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay. The tower stands 14 meters tall, with its focal plane reaching 18 meters above the water. It emits a white and red light, providing a WR signal to mariners. This structure replaced an earlier screw-pile lighthouse, which was the first of its kind in the United States. The Brandywine Shoal Light is situated west of Cape May, New Jersey.

Why it matters: The lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its historical significance as the location of the United States' first screw-pile lighthouse.

Background
The Brandywine Shoal Light is a lighthouse on the north side of the ship channel in Delaware Bay on the east coast of the United States, west of Cape May, Cape May County, New Jersey, United States. It was the site of the first screw-pile lighthouse in the United States.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl WR 10s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
WR
Flash Count
1 flash
Interval
10s
Focal Height
18m

Construction & History

Year Built
1914
Heritage Status
National Register of Historic Places listed place

References & Identifiers

Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Wikidata
Q4957291 →
OpenStreetMap
View on OSM →

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
14m

Location

City
New Jersey
Country
🇺🇸US
Latitude
38.9833°
Longitude
-75.1167°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse at night?+
Brandywine Shoal displays the characteristic Fl WR 10s — 1 wr flash every 10 seconds. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The wr color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Ocean View at 5.5 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Cape May (7.5 NM E), Big Stone (9.3 NM W), LEWES (11.9 NM S), SHAWCREST (13.1 NM E). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
What shipping routes pass near Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse?+
Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse is located within the US East Coast shipping lane — a major shipping corridor serving ports along the Atlantic seaboard of the United States. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Brandywine Shoal Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.