February 16, 2021
The aerial picture published as the historic photo in the Feb. 9 edition of the Cape Gazette (capegazette.com/node/215273) generated considerable interest. Because of the extent of the information, we decided to publish it again with comments from two readers. Bob Kotowski, long involved with Lewes Historical Society, provided the first response. The second response came from Earl Webb who originally provided the photo. Here are their responses:
“Concerning the aerial photo of piers sent by Earl Webb and published on page 7 in the Feb. 9 Cape Gazette, I think I can help,” wrote Kotowski.
“The large plant and pier in the foreground appears to be Otis Smith’s Fish Products Co. The other menhaden piers also likely were owned by Smith. As for the remaining piers, starting from the top of the photo: the Army Mine Pier (now Cape Henlopen fishing pier), remnants of the old Iron Pier, and at the bottom of the pic, the Coast Guard P