Airport in Fort Lauderdale in Broward County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Fated Barks

The Great Storm of 1888

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 16, 2021

1. Fated Barks Marker

Inscription. During the devastating gale of November 25-26, 1888, Captain Joshua James led Hull's Massachusetts Humane Society volunteer lifesavers in the courageous rescue of 29 men from five ships. The volunteers faced the greatest danger while bringing eight men off the wrecked schooner Gertrude Abbott. At the height of the storm, with the seas raging and the surfboat crowded with survivors, the returning surfboat was repeatedly pounded on the rocks as the crew attempted to land. Miraculously, both rescued and rescuers struggled safely to shore as the surfboat broke apart.

Mariners were saved from the following ships: Cox & Green, Gertrude Abbott, Bertha Walker, H.C. Higginson, and Alice. Gold Lifesaving Medals were awarded to the Gertrude Abbott rescue crew: Joshua James, Osceola F. James, Alonzo L. Mitchell, Ambrose B. Mitchell, H. Webster Mitchell, John L. Mitchell, Eben T. Pope, George F. Pope, Joseph T. Galiano, Louis F. Galiano, Frederick Smith.

Actuated by the highest motives, they set forth amid untold peril and triumphed by their cool courage and determination of purpose. There are few examples of greater heroism.

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U.S. Lifesaving Service Annual Report, 1889

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is November 25, 1888.

Location. 26° 5.014′ N, 80° 7.727′ W. Marker is in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in Broward County. It is in Airport. It can be reached from SE 14th Avenue north of Eller Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3333 SE 14th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL 33316, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in South Florida,

on the Gold Coast,

and in Greater Miami.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain Joshua James (here, next to this

Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, October 16, 2021

2. Fated Barks Marker

marker); Colored Beach at Dr. Von D. Mizell - Eula Johnson State Park (approx. 1.1 miles away); Mackey Airlines, Inc. (approx. 1.2 miles away); In Memory of All American Veterans (approx. 1½ miles away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 1.6 miles away); Saint Ruth Missionary Baptist Church (approx. 2.2 miles away); Denison Family Homesite Broward Marine (approx. 2.3 miles away); Link Trainer Building #8 (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Lauderdale.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Colored Beach at John U. Lloyd State Park (was approx. 1.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 19, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 19, 2022, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.