The Rusty Rudder
Dewey Beach was originally named Rehoboth City, as it appeared on a map in Beer’s 1868 Delaware Atlas. Some historians have concluded that the name change transpired after the 1898 Battle of Manilla, during the close of the Spanish-American War, where Admiral George Dewey led the U.S. Navy to victory. Dewey (the only Admiral of the U.S. Navy) commanded the U.S. to victory over the entire Spanish fleet, relying upon deft naval strategy and guile, personally leading a ship that was able to maneuver around the Spanish Navy’s Pacific Squadron with great precision. Admiral Dewey was no doubt glorious to learn a beach community would be named for him, but likely would have been dismayed if the ceremony occurred at a place like the Rusty Rudder, which in modern times poses as a restaurant on the deck, but really is a day/night club with live music that offers a pub style menu, and plenty of drinking and partying. In August 1988, it has been reported that the former Rusty Rudder owner was sentenced to prison for a tax related matter, and a checkered operating history followed. But crime seems to follow the Rudder, because an additional offense today may be highway robbery for charging for the food it serves. Rusty Rudder still overlooks Rehoboth Bay as a less than fine culinary destination, even for generic pub food (at least the bagged chips are passable). Food is an afterthought, though, as the real attraction is revelry, the type which may have occurred after news reports that the Americans prevailed in the far-away 1898 war. Come for the live music and copious drinks and attendant revelry, but make sure you’ve dined somewhere else before arrival.
