Joe’s Pond | St Johnsbury

The DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum is located in Fenwick Island, Delaware, USA. It houses artifacts recovered from shipwrecks off the Delaware coast.

Visual Characteristics

The museum is housed in a single-story, rectangular building constructed primarily of light-colored brick. Its facade features a prominent, dark-colored roofline and several large, rectangular windows. The interior displays are organized within exhibit halls, featuring glass display cases and informational panels.

Location & Access Logistics

The museum is situated at 700 Coastal Highway, Fenwick Island, DE 19944. It is approximately 0.5km south of the Fenwick Island State Park entrance. Parking is available in a dedicated lot adjacent to the building. Public transport options are limited; the nearest bus stop is approximately 1km north on Coastal Highway, served by the DART First State Route 15.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The building itself was constructed in the late 20th century to serve as a dedicated space for the collection. The artifacts displayed originate from various shipwrecks dating from the 18th to the early 20th centuries, representing maritime history and the geological conditions of the Atlantic seabed that contributed to these losses.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can examine recovered cannons, navigational instruments, personal effects, and ship timbers. Informational displays detail the history of each wreck and the recovery process. Interactive exhibits are available for younger visitors.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on-site. Limited shaded areas are present in the parking lot. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable. No on-site food vendors are present, but several restaurants are located within a 0.5km radius along Coastal Highway.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open year-round. Mid-morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM) and mid-afternoon (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM) typically offer fewer crowds. The best months for visiting are May through September, coinciding with warmer weather for travel to the area.

Facts & Legends

One notable artifact is a cannonball recovered from the wreck of the HMS DeBraak, a British warship that sank off the Delaware coast in 1780. Local lore suggests that the ghost of a sailor from the DeBraak can sometimes be seen near the recovered artifacts.

Nearby Landmarks

• Fenwick Island State Park (0.5km North)
• Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum (4.5km South)
• Assateague Island National Seashore (5km Southwest)
• Northside Park, Ocean City, MD (4km South)