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Bob Trapani, Jr., executive director of the American Lighthouse Foundation in Wells, Maine, is the author of the newly released book on New Jersey and Delaware Bay lighthouses. Lighthouses of New Jersey & Delaware: History, Mystery, Legends & Lore.

The short story collection includes tales of shipwrecks and suicides, storms and fires, invasions of beetles and cats—and even a ghost story or two. It is published by Myst and Lace Publishers, Inc., of Elkton, Md.

Through stories and 55 modern and vintage photographs, learn the surprising events that occurred in and around these silent sentinels that are an important part of the region’s history and lore.

The book features 20 chapters, each with stories spotlighting a different lighthouse.

New Jersey lights include: Sandy Hook, Cape May, Miah Maull Shoal, Barnegat, Hereford Inlet, Elbow Cross Ledge, Ship John Shoal, Brandywine Shoal, Cross Ledge and Tucker’s Beach.

Delaware Bay lights are Harbor of Refuge, Fourteen Foot Bank, Port Mahon, Liston Range, Fenwick Island, Mispillion, Cape Henlopen and Delaware Breakwater East and West End lighthouses.

Each chapter includes photographs of the lighthouses, historic information, interesting tales, legends or history and contact information if the light has a museum or is open to the public.

Trapani, formerly of Lewes, Del., was executive director of the Delaware Life Saving Station and the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation, which he co-founded.

He has written for Lighthouse Digest, Twin Capes Traveller and Wreck & Rescue magazines. He is working on a follow-up book, to released in the spring of 2006, on Lighthouses of Maryland and Virginia.

“Lighthouses safeguarded our waterways,” lighthouse preservationist Trapani said, “and were built for one purpose, to save lives. Thus, they stand as tributes to the nation’s humanitarian spirit for our fellow man. This rich heritage would be enough to save and preserve them. But it goes deeper than that. Real people kept the lights burning each and every night, while enduring hardship and loneliness to keep the mariner safe. These selfless individuals were often unsung heroes of our coast and their stories must be perpetuated.”

When asked to describe his new work, Trapani said, “Lighthouse preservation is what I do. I don’t consider it so much of a job as a labor of love. My hope is that readers will understand that lighthouse have human interest side forged by real people. The stories show the tragedy and danger associated with the work, but they also show that many lighthouse keepers had a humorous and superstitious side, too.”

The book and cover includes 55 pictures. The author and his wife, Ann-Marie Trapani, took the modern photographs.

About the author:
Bob Trapani, Jr., formerly resided in Lewes, Del, where he was cofounder of the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. From 2000-2003 he was executive director of the Indian River Life-Saving Station. In May 2005, he moved to Wells, Maine to head the American Lighthouse Foundation.

His articles have appeared in such magazines as Lighthouse Digest, Twin Capes Traveler and Wreck & Rescue.

He is the author of Journey Along the Sands: A History of Indian River Life-Saving Station and Guardians of the Coast, A History of Delaware's Lighthouses.

He currently is working on the sequel to his present book entitled, Lighthouses of Maryland and Virginia: History, Mystery, Legends and Lore, currently scheduled to be release in Spring 2006 and published by Myst and Lace Publishers.