The Dogfish Inn sits canal front in the quiet coastal town of Lewes, Delaware. Lewes is famously known as “The First Town In The First State" and a title like that doesn’t come without some terrifying tales. We consulted the help of our friends at the Lewes Historical Society to round-up a few spooky tales about the town we call home here at the Dogfish INN. Next time you come to visit us, check out the haunted landmarks below & see if you can feel the presence of the paranormal.  

CANNONBALL HOUSE 

You may remember the story of the stolen cannonball earlier this year, and how we celebrated its return with Balls Back Bock, but, have you heard the other stories about Lewes’ infamous Cannonball House? 

Since the historic house came into the hands of the Lewes Historical Society in the early 1960s, shadows of an unknown presence have lingered in the halls ever since. Employees of the society have often found themselves among the sounds of a woman crying though they’re entirely alone. Well organized heavy tools have been known to fling themselves across the room without warning. Folks have told the tale of ing to work in the morning only to find that organized materials had been completely rearranged overnight, though the building was locked and no (living person had been inside)!  

Then, of course, there’s the constant, unexplained opening and closing of the door that leads to the attic. This occurred so frequently that Freddie, the handyman, hadenough and decided to nail the door shut. The next day, Freddie arrived to find the nails removed and sitting straight up in a row on the floor. Further frustrated Freddie installed hand screws, but, yet again, those screws were also removed and found on the floor in a perfect row, standing straight up. And, the poster that had been used to cover the door, was taken down and neatly rolled up sitting near-by.  

It is believed that all of these happenings are the work of Susan Rowland King, the widowed wife of a Delaware river pilot, who lived and died in the house in the early 1900s. Susan died a gruesome death in the home, after her skirts caught fire on a cold night. Still ablaze, she made it to her room before finally succumbing to the fire. The belief is that Susan is simply tidying up her home, and because of this, the Cannonball House is known as one of the most haunted locations in Delaware.  

Photo by Visit Southern Delaware

EAST END LIGHTHOUSE (You know, the “red one”)  

In the early morning hours of January 19, 1892, the Mary Rogers arrived at the entrance to Delaware Bay during a heavy northeast gale accompanied by rain and sleet. The vessel, encased in a layer of ice, sought protection behind the breakwater and anchored a few hundred feet from the east end lighthouse. The ship’s two anchors were set, and the exhausted crew gathered inside to warm themselves. Just before 6 a.m., the cable attached to the smaller anchor parted, and the vessel drug its remaining anchor until it grounded against the outside wall of the breakwater. With the Mary Rogers taking on water, its crew quickly lowered a small yawl boat and found that with its bow tied to the larger vessel, the stern just reached the breakwater, making a temporary bridge. 

Using this makeshift bridge, the captain and three crewmembers scurried to safety. But William Landrey, the sailing master, remained aboard the Mary Rogers paralyzed by fright. Called an old man at sixty-two, no one know what possessed him to stay on board, perhaps he did not know how to swim. By now, the makeshift bridge was in pieces, and Landrey’s companions pleaded with him to jump into the turbulent sea and swim towards them. Landrey soon had no choice in the matter, as the shattered schooner rolled on its side and waves began to sweep over the vessel. The waves eventually pried Landrey loose from the rigging and deposited him in a small cavity in the stone breakwater. Linked hand in hand, the men on the breakwater managed, with much difficulty, to reach the injured Landrey and move him to safety. 

The lighthouse keeper’s assistant made the perilous, half-mile trek to the telegraph office, located adjacent to the west end lighthouse, to summon a doctor. Around 10 a.m., a doctor, Doctor William Paynter Orr, finally reached the lighthouse aboard a tugboat and labored to resuscitate Landrey, who had suffered a dislocated shoulder and severe lacerations. Given these conditions, there was little the doctor could do to save Landrey, and he passed away at the lighthouse. 

Annually, an investigation of the lighthouse occurs. Guides often time have to trek back up the flights of lighthouse stairs to shut windows they swear they just closed, and it is often joked that Landrey is still aboard the lighthouse, “Just trying to get some air.” 

These spooky tales were told to us by the Lewes Historical Society during our recent Sea Tales & Superstitions Fireside Chat at the Dogfish Inn. You can hear more about haunted and historical legends by visiting the Lewes Historical Society. We highly recommend tagging along on one of their programs, like the Lewes Legends Walking Tour.