During the devastating gale of November 25-26, 1888, Captain Joshua James led Hull's Massachusetts Humane Society volunteer lifesavers in the rescue of 29 men from five ships: Cox & Green, Gertrude Abbott, Bertha Walker, H.C. Higginson, and Alice. The greatest danger came in bringing eight men off the wrecked schooner Gertrude Abbott. At the height of the storm, with seas raging and the surfboat crowded with survivors, the returning boat was repeatedly pounded on the rocks as the crew tried to land. Both the rescued men and the rescuers nevertheless struggled safely to shore as the surfboat broke apart. 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, and Frederick Smith. Their cool courage and determination of purpose were hailed as among the greatest examples of heroism.