From 1887 to 1931, Florence Martus would greet ships entering and leaving the Port of Savannah by waving a cloth during the day and a lantern at night. It was said that she greeted boats because, as a young woman, Martus had fallen in love with a sailor and wanted to be sure he would find her when he returned.
Martus died on February 8, 1943, and some believe that she continues her vigil in the afterlife.
Today, a statue of Martus, erected in 1972, sits on River Street.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/ Jami430/ July 30, 2016