Broad Dyke is of very special historical significance, as it was
the first dyke ever constructed in the United States.
The cache is a small log only cache. There is a pencil in the
cache, but bring your own anyway, as I'm sure someone will loose it
before long. The difficulty of the cache depends on when you try to
do it. Sometimes it's a two, other times it's a five.
This website or maybe this one will help you determine
the best time to go. Even going at the best time, you may get a
little wet. If you go at the wrong time, and can't get to it, don't
blame me-- I warned you. And no, you can't claim it just by seeing
it. You have to sign the log.
I've had several caches in this area that have disappeared, so
this one is a little tougher to get to and the container is
industrial strength.
Please remember that this is a working sluice gate, and is
essential to flood control. So don't build structures, leave piles
of rocks, or do anything else that might cause me to get yelled at
by the city. Try to leave the area as good or better than you found
it.
Some more history:
In the parking lot on the southeast corner Second and Chestnut
Streets you will find a historical marker indicating the site of
Fort Casimir. Erected by Dutch 1651. Taken by Swedes 1654, called
Fort Trefaldigheets or Trinity. Retaken by Dutch under Peter
Stuyvesant in person September 11, 1655. The city of New Castle was
founded by Peter Stuyvesant and originally named Fort Casimir. New
Castle became the colonial capitol of Delaware, briefly served as
the first state capitol, and continued as the county seat until the
1880's.
On Chestnut Street northeast of the 3rd Street conjunction is
another historic marker with information about Broad Dyke.
Interestingly, the marker is incorrect. It says that Broad Dyke was
used as the center of the Twelve Mile Circle, while in reality the
center of the city of New Castle was used, which was determined to
be the cupola on the top of the New Castle Courthouse. Broad Dyke
was used by the surveyors for determining the center of New
Castle.
Caching in Delaware? Visit the Delaware Geocachers Website!