Lewes Historic District in Sussex County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Blizzard of 1888

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

1. The Blizzard of 1888 Marker

Inscription. Known as the “Great White Hurricane,” the Blizzard of 1888 was one of the most devastating weather events in recorded history. Affecting coastal states from Virginia to Maine, this paralyzing storm resulted in widespread death and destruction. With its large stone Breakwater providing a buffer from heavy seas, the harbor at Lewes was considered to be one of the safest on the Atlantic seaboard at the time. For the ships that sought shelter here during the blizzard, it would be the scene of an unprecedented disaster. As signs of an approaching storm increased, approximately 50 vessels had come to anchor behind the seawall by the evening of March 11, 1888. A brief calm descended just before midnight, followed quickly by rapidly growing winds and decreasing temperatures. Soon a raging storm descended upon the harbor, bearing with it “flying hail and snow that cut like a lash...and salt spray that froze into a glassy coating the instant the water touched decks, spars, or rigging.” By the morning of March 12, nearly every vessel in the harbor was sunken, sinking, or drifting powerless, crashing one upon another. Some sailors

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

clung to the masts of ice-bound ships, where they endured the continuing effects of the storm. The crews of the Lewes and Cape Henlopen Life-Saving stations, aided by the citizens of Lewes, immediately launched efforts to save those in peril. As a result of their heroic deeds, many lucky souls were saved during the days that followed. The fact that only eight deaths were reported here was considered nothing less than miraculous for those who experienced the terrible fury of the Blizzard of 1888.

Erected 2008 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number SC-221.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives, and the Lost at Sea series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 11, 1888.

Location. 38° 46.686′ N, 75° 8.478′ W. Marker is in Lewes, Delaware, in Sussex County. It is in the Lewes Historic District. It is on Shipcarpenter Road 0.1 miles north of Delaware Route 267, on the left when traveling north. Marker is on the south corner wall of the life saving station museum which is off the service

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 4, 2024

2. The Blizzard of 1888 Marker

road north of the Shipscarpenter Road/DE-267 intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 110 Shipscarpenter Road, Lewes DE 19958, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Delaware’s Beaches.

It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Overfalls Lightship (a few steps from this marker); Life Saving Station (a few steps from this marker); The Lightship Overfalls LV-118/WAL-539 (a few steps from this marker); Lightship LV-118 Overfalls (a few steps from this marker); Lightship Overfalls (within shouting distance of this marker); Monomoy History & Restoration (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipbuilding (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frederick E. Hudson

The Blizzard of 1888 Marker on the Lewes Life Saving Station Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard E. Miller, May 14, 2009

3. The Blizzard of 1888 Marker on the Lewes Life Saving Station Museum

- visible next to the door with the USLSS's refrain: "Regulations say we have to go out, they say nothing about coming back."

(about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lewes.

Also see . . . The Great Blizzard of 1888. (Submitted on May 25, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Additional keywords. Life Saving Service; U.S.L.S.S.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 15, 2010

4. The Blizzard of 1888 Marker

"Regulations say we have to go out, they say nothing about coming back."

U.S. Life Saving Station, Riverside view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

5. U.S. Life Saving Station, Riverside view

U.S. Life Saving Station image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mike Stroud, October 18, 2011

6. U.S. Life Saving Station

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, May 4, 2024

7. U.S. Life Saving Station

The historic marker is located adjacent to the U.S. Life Saving Station, which has been painted gold after a renovation.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 5,167 times since then and 60 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 12, 2014. Photos: 1. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 24, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 4. submitted on October 17, 2010, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5, 6. submitted on November 15, 2011, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 7. submitted on March 19, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.