January 14th, 2006 Bimini Landmark Destroyed
Macushla N. Pinder
Still reeling from the shock of last month’s tragic fiery Chalks plane crash that snuffed the lives of 11 of their loved ones, Biminites are now grappling to accept another devastating blow after an early morning fire gutted one of the island’s main economic and historical hotspots and possibly killed a resident. Up to press time, authorities still had not located the individual, who police have identified as Julian Brown.
According to residents, Brown – a former Olympian for The Bahamas in the 60’s -- reportedly did security duties at the hotel and is the son of the late proprietor of The Compleat Angler Hotel in Alice Town, the "commercial centre" of Bimini.
On Friday, fire investigators - two officers from Grand Bahama’s fire services were dispatched to the scene to assist the island’s volunteer group and one trained fire officer - were still trying to determine the cause of the blaze that reportedly began after 4am Friday.
Firefighters were however able to bring the fire under control before it spread to a nearby home.
Residents say members of the Calypso band who played at the Compleat Angler stayed at the house.
In a telephone interview with the Bahama Journal Friday, Chief Councilor for the Bimini, Cat Cay area, Tasha Bullard-Rolle admitted Biminites are now finding it difficult to reel from one tragedy to the next.
"The mood is again a feeling of disbelief and shock and for the most part residents are walking around asking each other, ‘I wonder what’s next,’" she said.
"The Compleat Angler is an historic landmark. It is the oldest establishment in the community. It was a place not only frequented by tourists but locals also enjoyed the atmosphere. It was the only place on the island that offered live Bahamian music. So, this is really a tremendous loss to the community."
The 12-room hotel, famed author Ernest Hemingway’s residence from 1935-37, was also home to the Hemingway Museum whose walls were covered with memorabilia of hundreds of championship big game fish tournaments, smiling celebrities standing next to huge, strung-up fish, Hemingway writings, news clips, and photos.
Speaking with the Bahama Journal from Bimini, Tourism Minister, Obie Wilchcombe, who is also the island’s MP said what has happened is "truly tragic."
"We have lost an important monument on the landscape of Bimini. The Compleat Angler for many years has served as a place for the adventurer, visitors, and Biminites alike; all who have come to enjoy the history of the Compleat Angler, but everything else that it has to offer," Minister Wilchcombe said.
"It is unfortunate. Again, Bimini is being challenged. But, we are again reminded that we shall seek out our Lord in faith and we recognize that this is another difficult situation yet again for Bimini residents having gone through what they have over the last several weeks, now to have this on their doorsteps in the Alice Town area.
Famed as the game-fishing capital of the world, there are annual fishing tournaments on the island, making Bimini the 4th most popular tourism destination within the chain of Bahamian islands.
"This will certainly affect the economy of Bimini. The Compleat Angler has been the watering hole for many visitors and certainly a place for entertainment. So clearly this is going to have some immediate impact. Bimini continues to have year round visitors," Minister Wilchcombe said.
"The fishing season will be even more dramatically affected this year. And so there will no doubt be a fall off in business (because of the fire) but I’m sure that Biminites will find a way to rebound as quickly as possible. The wonderful thing for Bimini is that other businesses and lodgings are being constructed as we speak and so additional inventory will be available. But there is nothing like the Compleat Angler. The Compleat Angler is a loss to the community. It has been there for generations. Just to see Alice Town shattered now without it will have a dramatic impact on one’s psyche. And so the loss will be enormous."
This latest tragedy comes only weeks after the December 19th Chalks Ocean Airways plane crash in waters off Miami Beach that killed all on board, 11 of whom were Biminites.
At last report, relatives of three of the victims announced that they had secured legal aviation specialist, The Nolan Law Group out of Chicago, to pursue compensation for their losses.
The Nolan Law Group will represent the families of Genevieve Ellis, Salome Rolle, and Niesha Fox.
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Reader's Comments:
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MORE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS - February 17th, 2006
SCOTT STAGGS - SSTAGGS@CAROLINA.RR.COM
20 years ago, when I was still in my 20s, my wife and I had 1 of the top 10 days we have shared together in our life in the Compleat Angler bar. God bless Ozzie and Julian and the rest of Bimini. We will never forget and we will be back.
what aloss - February 9th, 2006
steve hawkins - gshawk4@aol.com
dec.04 stayed 4 days in the bimini's, spent most nights at the angler just having the best time playing the ring game.i know this place will be missed by all.also on a sad note we came in on the same plane that was lost last dec. shout out to the end of the earth bar.i will return.
bimini fire - February 7th, 2006
DAVID ADKINS - adkinsde@insightbb.com
As a frequent visitor to the Angler, I was devistated to hear the news about the fire. All my friends of the Blackbeard cruise line as well as myself will forever miss this landmark.
Our best memories - February 4th, 2006
Kami & Jeremy Haggstrom - kamjer@msn.com
My husband introduced me to Bimini back in '95 after we got got married. He had first gone there back in the early '80s with his brothers for fishing with Lou Rabin on the Bewitched. Bimini was my first diving expedition and it was absolutely the best. We have made the trip every year since and have made wonderful friends with Julian and all of the crew at the Angler. It was our favorite hangout and we had contributed many pictures to the walls inside. Pictures are always replaceable but the memories we have and will continue to have will always be fresh in our minds. We will miss our friend Julian very much!
PRAYERS&THOUGHTS - February 3rd, 2006
CAPT. BIG JOHN SKINNER - JSKI855850@AOL.COM
MY HEART IS BROKEN TO ALL THE FAMILYS,IN BOTH TRAGEDIES. THE FISHING GODS WILL BE WITH YOU ALL. ANY. LABOR OR HELP WOULD BE HONERED TO HELP. CAPT. BIG JOHN SKINNER. WRITER BIG GAME FISHING JOURNAL,AND AVID SPORTFISHERMAN IN LOVE WITH THE AURA OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL PART OF HEAVEN.
Fond memories - January 28th, 2006
Jim Brown - jaboz1@verizon.net
I first visited Bimini in Aug. of 1970, and from then on never wanted to go anywhere else. Over the years I’ve stayed in, and been in and out of the Compleat Angler more times than I can count. Last time was Aug. 05 a day or two after Katrina with friends who feel the same way I do about Bimini. We recall joking around with Julian Brown and Diablo the bartender. Our hearts go out to all the people of Bimini for their loss, not only for this tragic event but also for the Chalks disaster.
Paradise Lost - January 28th, 2006
Mike Kayo - mike.kayo@gmail.com
My wife and I have a very special place in our hearts for Bimini and the Comleat Angler. We have been there MANY times and got married on the island. What a tragedy to say the least. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the residents of Bimini especially the Brown family, Shorty, Craig and Ba Devil for the lost of our friend Julian. We will return. Mike and Priscilla Kayo
wer'e coming back - January 26th, 2006
Ron & Darcie Grote - rgrote2@msn.com
As many others, we feel A deep sorrow and loss for Bimini and especially the families that have recently lost loved ones. In the spirit of such A wonderful place I encourage all who have enjoyed the magic of bimini to return and show the support that the kind people of bimini truly deserve. see ya soon Humphrey !
can't belive dat happen - January 26th, 2006
Aaron Lewis - loverboy4u2keep@hotmail.com
Bimini is the smallest Island in the Bahamas but it is damn sure the funnest Island in the Bahamas. me I know Bimini like the back of my hand. we have gone threw alot in the last 2 months but guess what. We are going to pull threw this.the Complet Angler gone now Bimini will never be the same. JB is one of the nicest guy there he always had a smile to his face. he was very friendly and he gets along well with everyone. JB is gone but he is not forgotten.
complete angler - January 25th, 2006
roy zimmer - goteron@earthlink.net
I have been going to Bimini since 1973. First in a 17 foot ski boat with a single 35 horse power ourboard motor with my brother in law Robert and my wife Cindy. Since that first trip we have made over 100 boat trips in larger boats to the island and on every trip we always ended up at the Angler. Bimini will never be the same and an era has come and gone. All of the fun evenings in the Angler with old and new friends will never be forgotten. Julian was always there making sure all of us were taken care of and having a good time. Our prayers are with Bimini and the Brown family.
Bimini is a special place - January 23rd, 2006
nic mader - timber561@aol.com
Bimini is such a special, laidback place and so many of us Floridians care so much about what happens over there. I caught my first sailfish at 5 years old in Bimini with Baldwin, vacationed many times through the years and worked on the dolphin research vessel, Stenella, that docked there in the winters. The Compleat Angler was our night spot and there are many fond memories. All the Bimini people have always been so welcoming and generous. Please know how much we are all thinking of you during this sad time. Keep your chin up and Bimini will get through this hard time - there will be many new memories made.
Compleat Angler and the Brown Family - January 22nd, 2006
James Clark - gasman030@aol.com
This is very sad for my family, as we just traveled to Bimini to attend services for relatives of the Chalks plane crash. I do have a last fond memory of "The Compleat", as we hung out and enjoyed the scene on the night before we left to go home. As fate would have it, as we waited on our plane the last person we had the pleasure of conversing with was Mr. Julian Brown. He will be missed along with his pleasant smile. Our thought and prayers go out to his family. We will MISS HIM TOO.
Thoughts & Prayers - January 20th, 2006
Loren Rea - loren@keywestdesigngroup.com
I have a special place in my heart for Bimini and it's residents. I've spent time there fishing and have enjoyed the historic photos and feeling of the Compleat Angler for many years. My heart goes out to everyone on the island.
Compleat Angler and the Brown Family - January 19th, 2006
Corwin Boddy - Corky1320@aol.com
Our Son James Boddy had introduced his Mother and I to Scuba Diving when he was with Blackbeards Cruises. We made our first trip to Bimini on the Pirates Lady and the first night on the island we were introduced to many of the local people who Jim had become friends with. When Jim died in October of 1996 near the Wall, we received cards of sympathy for his loss from many of the islanders. Hank Weech was a special friend as was Ms Pinder, the proprietor of The End of The World Saloon. We mourn your loss also..
Compleat Angler - January 19th, 2006
Bud LaVance - budlavance@hotmail.com
Bud LaVance - budlavance@hotmail.com
Having tried numerous times over 40 years to get to Bimini, I finally made it the week before Christmas 2004 as a guest aboard a Hatteras motoryacht captained by a friend bringing it to Nassau for a charter. There was always an engine problem, bad weather or a cancellation, but I finally got to go to Bimini, which I immediately fell in love with. I was therefore deeply saddened to arrive in Nassau and hear of the Chalks crash, only to be further shocked by news of the fire at the Compleat Angler and the death of Julian Brown, who had greeted us with his big smile and welcoming arms upon our arrival at the docks at Bluewater Marina only a short time ago. My heartfelt prayers to the exceptionally fine people of Bimini, which was the happiest island imaginable until this double tragedy. Peace be with you.
So sad! - January 19th, 2006
Pam Gambrell - pegg737@juno.com
I'm still having trouble believing the Angler is gone. I have been staying there for almost 20 years. It was the night time hot spot, and the crowd was always jumping and dancing. What fun! I feel the need to go back now just to pay my respects. But where will I stay? With the Compleat Angler gone, I don't want to stay anywhere else. Hopefully Julian is in a better place now.
sorrow - January 18th, 2006
kiki dominquez - kd3d_art@yahoo.com
The news about the plane crash was very sad news, the people of Bimini have, since my visit have held a speicial place in my heart and memiores. The fire at the Complete Angler really broke my heart as for anyone who has ever experienced the history and entertainment there, I know my feelings or shared by all who's been there and my heart and prayers go out to all the residents, your loss is felt here in Arizona, God Bless
Compleat Angler Bimini - January 16th, 2006
Patrick O'Neal - SBiminiPat@cs.com
Having had a home on South Bimini since the early 70s, my family and I are devistated by the latest Bimini tragedy. We have lost many Bimini friends in the last month, and now another along with one of our favorite places in the world. Dont know how much more Bimini can handle. Our prayers go out to the Brown family; Biminiites and Anglerites (all over the world).
Compleat Angler Fire - January 15th, 2006
Jeannie Smith - GenieBee29@hotmail.com
I have witnessed MUCH tragedy in the Brown family, for I have I have known and loved them ALL for the past 42 years. Any time I went to Bimini, it was like I never left. They always made me feel like family, as they did ALL who frequented the island. After the destruction of Brown's Hotel during Hurricane Andrew, I began staying at the Angler. My last visit was January of last year. Now, to think IT, and ALL the history its walls held, is GONE, is almost unfathomable. Even worse, is the loss of a wonderful friend! Julian will be missed by so MANY! My thoughts and prayers are with the Brown family and ALL the Biminites that have suffered such tremendous loss over this last month. I share in that grief for my "home away from home" and my "second family". God be with you ALL!!
My Favorite Place in the World - January 15th, 2006
Mike Butler - gragoast1@bellsouth.net
I have been going to Bimini for 30 years to fish and get away. The mood ther was always great. I have stayed at The Complete Angler every time unless I came by sail. Many a ring game have I played there with my friends. I new the Late Ozzie Brown quite well. He always made sure I got the same room. The loss is unbelievable. The Complete Angler will be Missed by All. God Bles the Biminites.
Compleat Angler - January 14th, 2006
Paul Cameron - Compangms@aol.com
I'm past words to describe my sorrow for those loved ones from Bimini I call a second family. I litterally grew up at the Compleat ANgler and even named my fishing business after it... I really too choked up to type but had to send my most sincere condolances to my brothers of Alice Town...
Compleat Angler fire - January 14th, 2006
janmara1@cox.net - asheikowitz@adelphia.net
The Hemingway museum and Compleat Angler hotel was destroyed..
Julian Brown-Angler - January 13th, 2006
Kyle Jones - RealtorKyleJones@aol.com
Julian was a good friend of many, he was such a great person with even a greater history. The loss of JB and his most prized posession will never be forgotten. Nothing will ever compare to all the good times spent in the Complete Angler with Julian, the staff (Shorty, Devil, Jammer, Ray, Graig, Big C, the band, Stevie S) and all our friends and family. Ever since the begining of Bimini Bay the Island will never be the same. I wish the best for the Biminites. RIP Julian
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