Old Weather Forum

Library => The voyages, the work, the people, the places => Topic started by: Randi on 23 June 2013, 07:19:19

Title: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 23 June 2013, 07:19:19
We have another group interested in our findings!

Museum of Maritime Pets

(http://www.museumofmaritimepets.org/)
(their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Museum-of-Maritime-Pets/322479007859651))

The Museum is seeking mentions of ships' animals (cats, dogs etc) in the logs. If you find anything, please post a short note here with a link to the log page. You can transcribe it as an event if you wish, but the Museum will not be accessing our database in the foreseeable future.

Needless to say, this is strictly optional.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 23 June 2013, 08:57:04
This isn't mentioned in the log of HMS Renown but I found a newspaper article (http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=MEX19200504.2.66.1) on their visit to Gisborne New Zealand in May 1920 which says that the Mayor presented the vessel with a pedigree bulldog.

And also this picture (http://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalmaritimemuseum/4454160384/in/set-72157623545479077) of the mascot (not sure of the date so may not be the same dog).
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: asterix135 on 23 June 2013, 10:09:56
The pet cock (http://forum.oldweather.org/index.php?topic=3833.0) on the Patterson doesn't count right?   :'(
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 23 June 2013, 10:58:23
Right ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Maikel on 23 June 2013, 11:01:49
U.S.S. Thetis mascot.

Not found in the logs, but as a postcard on the Internet.
http://www.mareud.com/postcard/navy_postcard/uscoastguard.htm (http://www.mareud.com/postcard/navy_postcard/uscoastguard.htm)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: lollia paolina on 23 June 2013, 12:22:07
Another news from the net: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ben-my-Chree

HMS Ben my Chree was sent in response of the French Commander request of a seaplane carrier to conduct reconnaissance in the area of the Greek island of Kastellorizio.

"She arrived on 11 January 1917 and anchored in the harbor which faced the mainland. The Turkish guns opened fire about two hours later, hitting the carrier with their third shot. Subsequent shells disabled her steering and started a fire in her hangar that spread across her upper deck.[13]

The crew was ordered to abandon ship after about forty minutes of the bombardment using the only remaining operable motor lifeboat of the three stowed on board. One officer and four enlisted men were injured, but no one was killed. The Turks continued their bombardment for five hours until Ben-my-Chree listed to starboard and sank in shallow water. Later in the day, the captain and the chief engineer returned to the ship to rescue the ship's mascots, a cat and dog which had both survived the attack.[14]"

I do not think that period is included in the log books that have been transcribed.



Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 23 June 2013, 12:41:42
The pet russian black bear they bought on the Intrepid won't count? It's never mentioned in the logs needless to say - just in the Captain's book 'Under The Black Ensign'.
Could they have a little patch for 'also rans'?? ::) ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 23 June 2013, 12:45:06
Quote from: AvastMH on 23 June 2013, 12:41:42
The bear they bought on the Intrepid won't count? It's never mentioned in the logs needless to say - just in the Captain's book 'Under The Black Ensign'.
Could they have a little patch for 'also rans'?? ::) ;)

Sure - It may turn up some things the museum hasn't found yet, and they can use what they want ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 12 July 2013, 05:09:46
I found a rescue pig (literally) on HMS Glasgow, while looking for something else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Glasgow_%281909%29

Here he is. A fine fellow. Sadly, his rescue is not recorded on the day of the sinking of the Dresden.  :)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/oldweather/ADM53-42828/ADM%2053-42828-169_1.jpg

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Tirpitz_the_Pig.jpg/200px-Tirpitz_the_Pig.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Kevin on 12 July 2013, 09:39:37
Capt. Michael Healy and parrot on board USRC BEAR
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/arctic/rediscover/gallery/bear/08_24_14.jpg
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Kevin on 12 July 2013, 09:43:14
Captain D.T. Togier and dog 'Lima' USRC GRANT.
http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/arctic/rediscover/gallery/grant/79_69_2_000.jpg
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 12 July 2013, 09:57:06
Thanks Kevin! A pig, a parrot and a cute doggie, all in one day.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 12 July 2013, 13:13:59
I was recently given a copy of "Ships' Cats in War and Peace" by Val Lewis for my birthday.  The front cover features Able Seaman Simon from HMS Amethyst.  It's a very happy coincidence of two of my enthusiasms.  Problem is, I don't know whether to shelve it with cat books, or naval history books!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 12 July 2013, 14:19:37
Buy a new shelf and mark it 'Naval History of Cats'  8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 12 July 2013, 14:21:46
 ;D

Or a second copy of the book ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 12 July 2013, 14:32:38
Quote from: Caro on 12 July 2013, 05:09:46
I found a rescue pig (literally) on HMS Glasgow, while looking for something else.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Glasgow_%281909%29

Here he is. A fine fellow. Sadly, his rescue is not recorded on the day of the sinking of the Dresden.  :)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/oldweather/ADM53-42828/ADM%2053-42828-169_1.jpg

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Tirpitz_the_Pig.jpg/200px-Tirpitz_the_Pig.jpg)

 :'( :'( :'( :'( Do you mean no one saved his bacon? ( ;) ;D)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 12 July 2013, 15:36:32
Quote from: AvastMH on 12 July 2013, 14:32:38
:'( :'( :'( :'( Do you mean no one saved his bacon? ( ;) ;D)

On the contrary, his bacon was saved!! ;D ;D ::)

Quote
http://royalnavymemories.co.uk/tirpitz-the-pig/:
Tirpitz was a pig captured from the German Navy after a naval skirmish following the Battle of the Falkland Islands in 1914. He subsequently became the mascot of the cruiser HMS ?Glasgow?.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 12 July 2013, 16:29:40
C-ham-pion news! ;D

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 13 July 2013, 09:06:00
Quote from: AvastMH on 12 July 2013, 16:29:40
C-ham-pion news! ;D

 :D :D :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Tegwen on 15 July 2013, 07:13:02
Off we go with the pig jokes to follow the sheep jokes.

Just dont hog the thread!!

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 16 July 2013, 06:41:22
I'm not listening.

Two dogs and a cat on HMS Caledonia:
http://www.pictorialgems.com/public/upload/productimage/34886-30835-4.jpg

(http://www.pictorialgems.com/public/upload/productimage/34886-30835-4.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 17 July 2013, 10:38:42
An article in July 2013 CRUISING WORLD Magazine re: the first sea going pet:

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 17 July 2013, 11:34:57
Brilliant story, just brilliant. 8) 8) 8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 17 July 2013, 13:02:38
 ;D Love the illustration too.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: lollia paolina on 17 July 2013, 13:45:40
When I was transcribing Vindictive, I searched for her Captain Alfred Carpenter and I came across this picture which I think is lovely :)

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=Q+20831

Carpenter, Alfred Francis Blakeney, Royal Navy (centre of group): Place and date of deed, HMS VINDICTIVE, Zeebrugge Raid, 22 - 23 April 1918. :)


Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 17 July 2013, 14:24:54
That's a wonderful find - but I do hope they didn't take those two poor cats on the actual Zeebrugge raid ...
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 27 July 2013, 12:00:54
The crew of HMS Somerset have saved a racing pigeon lost over the Atlantic:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-23468896

I do hope that being "retired from racing" doesn't mean that Paul is going to end up in a pie...
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 28 July 2013, 15:00:55
What a nice story.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 22 August 2013, 16:32:16
Quote from: Jerry Mason on 22 August 2013, 16:18:15
..., a number of U-boats had mascots some of which went on patrols- mostly cats and dogs.  One U-boat even had an aquarium.  You might enjoy looking at this U-953 website (http://www.thelongestpatrol.com/u-953.html) U-953 had both the dog Rin-Tin-Tina and a cat named Peter as mascots.  Best regards, Jerry
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Kevin on 22 August 2013, 19:46:17
Photo index of US Coast Guard and Revenue Service mascots:
http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/mascots.asp
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 22 August 2013, 23:08:29
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 23 August 2013, 03:12:14
Thanks Kevin. They are all delightful.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 29 August 2013, 13:59:57
I was doing some of my notes on ships encountered when I looked up HMS Good Hope who was sunk in November 1914 at the Battle of Coronel.  Wikipedia said she had an eland bull named 'Peter' as her mascot.  Not one of our fleet but an interesting choice of mascot.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 12 September 2013, 09:03:13
I picked up 'QI' by John Lloyd in a kindle book sale and came across 'Timothy', a tortoise who was captured by Captain John Courtenay Everard in 1854.  'He' (later found to be female) served on a number of naval ships until 1892 when he was taken in by the tenth Earl of Devon, a relative of Everard's.

Timothy was on HMS Queen when she bombarded Sebastopol during the Crimean War and died in 2004, making him the last survivor of that war.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 12 September 2013, 14:26:17
I've "met" Timothy!  He ended his days at Powderham Castle (owned by the Courtenay family) which is just outside Exeter.  He was a major attraction at the property during his lifetime, and frequently to be seen in the gardens.

Edit: I did, of course, mean to say "she"!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 12 September 2013, 14:27:43
I'm glad he was well cared for.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 12 September 2013, 14:32:09
 :) :) :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 29 September 2013, 19:24:40
Quote from: AvastMH on 29 September 2013, 19:18:28
All you cat lovers: check George , crew member...
http://www.picton-castle.com/ship-and-crew/the-crew.html

George is special.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Maikel on 11 October 2013, 10:21:49
Bad news, I'm afraid. :'(

U.S.S. Yorktown, at sea, making passage to Port Etches, Alaska.

4 to 8 a.m.

Lost dog overboard, stopped at 5.15 hauled in pat. log reading stb'd 64.4, port 100.5, lowered life boat, not finding the dog, boat returned.
Hoisted life boat and and at 5.35 went ahead full speed on course NbyE1/2E put over pat. logs.

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USS%20Yorktown/vol007of040_cr2_to_jpg/vol007of040_178_1.jpg (http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USS%20Yorktown/vol007of040_cr2_to_jpg/vol007of040_178_1.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 11 October 2013, 12:36:23
 :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 21 March 2014, 02:36:03
Quote from: propriome on 20 March 2014, 16:37:15
Awww... too bad the bid is over:

(http://i57.tinypic.com/2uxy0zt.jpg)

(From http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Golden-Eagle-Dog-Mascot-1917-USCGC-Unalga-Photo-US-Coast-Guard-Revenue-Cutter-/370998180333)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 23 March 2014, 13:38:28
Quote from: Janet Jaguar on 23 March 2014, 12:57:00
Well, it's been done before.  I wouldn't have believed it without the picture.  From USCG Mascots (http://www.uscg.mil/history/uscghist/Mascots.asp)

(http://www.uscg.mil/history/gifs/Mascot_Bear_sm.jpg)
"Probably the largest mascot that ever served in the Coast Guard.  Here is an unnamed black bear, another mascot of the cutter Thetis, taking a break from duty.  He's cooling himself off by resting on a large piece of ice.
The Thetis served in Alaska waters, sailing on the Bering Sea Patrol."

Other Thetis mascots:
(http://www.uscg.mil/history/gifs/Mascot_Thetis_1_sm.jpg)  (http://www.uscg.mil/history/gifs/Mascot_Misc_8_sm.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 23 March 2014, 13:44:41
Pioneer appears to have had a brown bear mascot, called Nimrod; he's recorded as being brought aboard on 6th June 1925 (with a member of the crew listed after him ....)

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USCS%20Pioneer/Book%2013%20-%20April-June,%201925/IMG_9027_1.jpg
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 08 April 2014, 00:24:19
It is a SAD day on Ark Royal  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

Typhus has struck and several crew have died. They have been fumigating the ship and today they had to end the lives of their beloved pets.

(https://s3.amazonaws.com:443/oldweather/ADM53-34110/0080_0.jpg)

4:45pm: Drowned Ship's Pets

Requiescat in Pace
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 08 April 2014, 04:05:53
I'll bet there were some surreptitious tears wiped away that day.

Sad indeed.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: camiller on 08 April 2014, 09:20:01
So sad, made even sadder by the method of euthanization.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 09 April 2014, 19:16:36
Quote from: camiller on 08 April 2014, 09:20:01
So sad, made even sadder by the method of euthanization.

They are off in Turkey in a small harbour. Don't know how many pets they had. Also, since it's 1920 I don't know if they knew of or had the medicines to do a more 'caring' method of euthanization.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: camiller on 09 April 2014, 20:37:21
I understand, Dean.  I was startled by that method of killing the mascots; the animals would suffer so much.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 13 April 2014, 14:24:37
I stumbled across this while looking up something else altogether - Reindeer's wartime submarine trip
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/hampshire/hi/people_and_places/history/newsid_8386000/8386947.stm
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 13 April 2014, 14:50:21
What a wonderful story!  My mind is boggling at the thought of a reindeer sleeping under the captain's bed .... !
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 13 April 2014, 15:14:11
Love it!

Well, it was the captain's reindeer ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 13 April 2014, 16:32:23
Quote from: Helen J on 13 April 2014, 14:50:21
What a wonderful story!  My mind is boggling at the thought of a reindeer sleeping under the captain's bed .... !

Quote from: Randi on 13 April 2014, 15:14:11
Love it!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 13 April 2014, 17:09:11
 :o :o :o and I was impressed with the Bear hoisting reindeer from boat to ship. This definitely beats that!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: camiller on 13 April 2014, 21:19:33
 :o ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: studentforever on 14 April 2014, 07:22:29
Nice that she lived out her life in the zoo - wonder if she got a treat of carnation milk once in a while.

 :) :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 08 May 2014, 03:50:35
(http://static.awm.gov.au/images/collection/items/ACCNUM_SCREEN/P00359.001.JPG)

C 1914, HMAS Sydney guns crew with ship's cat.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: w6okey on 22 June 2014, 10:26:44
HMS DIANA 1911
2 Scotch terriers owned by Staff Surgeon seated on after capstan on Q.D.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 22 June 2014, 11:11:13
Wow! Thanks for posting, Gus.  ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Craig on 26 July 2014, 10:07:14
No kidding  ;D

Quote
Ship's mascot, a goat, gave birth to a kid.

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USRC%20Bear/vol103/vol103_157_1.jpg
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 26 July 2014, 10:21:08
 ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 26 July 2014, 12:56:41
And University of Alaska has a photo of mama and kid.  :)

http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/cdmg11/id/9750/rec/5

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 26 July 2014, 13:13:46
Lovely family there now.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Craig on 26 July 2014, 13:51:54
Very charming, indeed. Thanks Janet.

There must be a lot more Bear logs that haven't yet been scanned. We are nearing the end of the current lot (circa 1912) but the vessel wasn't decommissioned until 1929 according to the timeline on Naval History.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 26 July 2014, 14:37:50
That's because Bear was broken into 2 voyages - we are waiting for scanning problems to get untangled.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 26 July 2014, 15:41:07
Cute kid!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 26 July 2014, 16:27:22
 :P ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 27 July 2014, 01:02:04
I posted the Bear's goat on Museum of Maritime Pets (http://www.museumofmaritimepets.org/) (their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Museum-of-Maritime-Pets/322479007859651)) as usual, including this time the jpeg for the log page, and got this answer:

Quote
Janet, Love the goat photo and archival link. Thank you and your Old Weather members for sharing this historic info with us! Patricia
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 27 July 2014, 05:03:32
 8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Danny252 on 24 August 2014, 19:06:55
http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/Albatross/vol038of055/vol038of055_053_1.jpg

Skimming ahead a few pages from where I am, I came across the following on the Albatross:

Quote
Funeral party went ashore to bury the pet cat, Jerry
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 24 August 2014, 19:16:55
Now that is definitely extreme!!  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 24 August 2014, 23:06:47
A definite honour for a dedicated crew mate!  :'(
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 25 August 2014, 01:12:41
The Facebook  (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Museum-of-Maritime-Pets/322479007859651?fref=nf)reply from the Museum of Maritime Pets:

Quote
Museum of Maritime Pets In those days, ships' mascots were revered companions and members of the crew! Thanks for sharing this touching moment that obviously was important to the journal's author! Pat
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 30 September 2014, 11:58:13
Pelorus Jack (http://100nzww1postcards.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/pelorus-jack-puppy-at-sea.html) I and II, of HMS New Zealand.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1eROWT-wR9Q/UgdOHd4RC-I/AAAAAAAAAXE/kORyJ7EELtc/s640/1914+29Sept+Grey+River+Argus++Pelorus+Jack+on+gun+copy.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 30 September 2014, 14:42:19
I especially like the picture where he is greeting the King.  :)

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9bvyCtZn8Gg/Ugc0CBw11fI/AAAAAAAAAW0/MQirQmFTGFI/s640/HMS+New+Zealand+mascot+and+King+1913+by+OSCAR+PARKES.jpg)

Reply from the Museum of Maritime Pets (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=722196401200535&set=o.322479007859651&type=1&comment_id=722354327851409&offset=0&total_comments=1):
Quote
Museum of Maritime Pets Great historic pic! Thanks for the link and for your Old Weather historians!! Patricia Sullivan

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 12 November 2014, 10:40:25
Albatross (1900)
Quote from: Danny252 on 11 November 2014, 15:48:42
You skip three years of logbooks, and this is the sort of madness we come back to: http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb99328714
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 12 November 2014, 11:25:32
Definitely a picture worthy of forwarding to this museum.  :)

(http://library.ucsd.edu/dc/object/bb99328714/_3.jpg)


Reply on Facebook: Museum of Maritime Pets (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Museum-of-Maritime-Pets/322479007859651?fref=nf)
Quote
Great image! Brave biologist! Thanks to our Old Weather friends for finding such fun and useful material. Patricia
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: propriome on 12 November 2014, 12:53:27
Fantastic one! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 12 November 2014, 13:11:10
Hey - goats are a big!! Great picture. :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 13 July 2015, 13:52:01
Quote from: Caro on 13 July 2015, 12:57:33
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CJzMrFOVAAA6_Rp.jpg:large)

Raymond Haig of HMAS Melbourne poses with two fellow sailors c.1917. (Australian War Memorial)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 13 July 2015, 17:42:15
nice cats - ooo I must get in contact with the Pet museum in Chicago - doh!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 04 January 2016, 07:38:42
Quote from: Hurlock on 04 January 2016, 01:31:26
Here is the location of an article from the San Francisco Call on the Albatross.  A picture of the Mascot too.

http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85066387/1901-11-24/ed-1/seq-11/

Picture, but no mention of mascot in the article.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: leelaht on 04 January 2016, 11:59:35
My how newspaper layouts have changed!  Don't see such elaborate layout and decoration today, even with all our fancy technology.  Given the aesthetics of that time, no wonder we find occasional decoration in the logs.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: HatterJack on 06 January 2016, 06:51:15
So, I got to be a bit curious about the Navy and goats, so I asked my cousin about it (since he's currently serving). In typical family fashion, he made a joke about the goat being a mascot because the Navy is the "greatest of all time". So, being the knowledge-sponge I am, I decided to look it up.

I found a few sources, and they all pretty much say the same thing about goats being on navy vessels for nearly as long as there have been navies because they're easier to take care of, and take up less space than cows, while serving the same essential function of providing milk to sailors. The goats were typically cared for by midshipmen, which has continued to this day, although animals *typically* aren't allowed aboard ships anymore (there are exceptions, but typically restricted to animals trained to complete specific combat or surveillance tasks; e.g. bomb-sniffing dogs, dolphins, and sea lions). Early on in Naval history, midshipmen were typically sailors who were on track to becoming officers, i.e. Chief Petty Officers (roughly equivalent to a Sergeant in the Army/Marine Corps). As a result of the CPO's being the caretakers of the goats for several generations of seamen, CPO's came to earn the nickname of "goat", although there's some speculation as to whether this was legitimately due to the shepherding duties, or simply a shortened version of "tough old goat". Personally, I prefer the former.

I also found a nice little condensed write-up about the history of goats and the Navy which can be found here (http://news.usni.org/2014/12/12/brief-illustrated-history-navy-goat), although it's more or less specific to the US Naval Academy's mascot Bill (currently Bill XXXIII), but it does touch on the historical use of goats a bit, and is nonetheless a fun little bit of trivia to read up on.

Additional fun fact (because what's a HatterJack post without one?): The first living thing to circumnavigate the earth twice was a (sadly unnamed) female goat. She first sailed with Samuel Wallis in 1767, and along with several members of Wallis' crew, left the Dolphin to join James Cook aboard the Endeavour in 1768. She was allowed to retire after returning to England in 1671. It's rather amazing, in my mind, that a goat, of all things, experienced the discovery of Tahiti (and several smaller Polynesian islands), Botany Bay, the first complete mapping of New Zealand, the Endeavour's running aground on the Great Barrier Reef, the first European contact with the eastern coast of Australia (the site of which would eventually become Cooktown, Queensland), the first European contact with kangaroos, the first skirmish between Australian aboriginals and Europeans (and the first reconciliation between the groups), and the discovery of Possession Island.

Edit: forgot my link  ::)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 06 January 2016, 07:28:21
I'm not surprised they are popular - fresh milk plus the emotional positives of caring for animals (if you like them, that is.)  Interesting to hear that everyone in the Navy still thinks they are traditional to the point of maintaining 33 goats at the academy!!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jd570b on 15 January 2016, 20:21:24
Life wasn't always rosy for the pets:

Jamestown (1886)

23/03/1887 - http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/USS%20Jamestown/vol057of067/vol057of067_226_1.jpg

Quote
J. Shannon, app., 10 days single irons in cell for Killing and throwing overboard Schoolmaster's parrot.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 16 January 2016, 13:30:57
 :'( :'( :'(
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 19 January 2016, 07:39:59
Quote from: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/zooniverse/old-weather/talk/187/20239?comment=69130
Bear
January 19, 1913
San Diego, California

The ship's mascot goat "Nan" returned on board after a week's leave ashore on a farm.

(https://zooniverse-static.s3.amazonaws.com/old-weather-2015/The_Arctic_Frontier/Coast_Guard/Bear/Bear-1913-split/Bear-1913-0023-1.JPG)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 19 January 2016, 12:33:10
 ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 19 January 2016, 15:06:34
 ;D ;D

That's too cute for words. I wonder if 'Nan' got a chance to send them a postcard?
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: HatterJack on 20 January 2016, 05:44:31
Having been born there, and partially raised in the general area of San Diego ("partially" because military families move a lot), it's really hard to imagine a time when there were many farms there. And even more surprising is that with only 6,525 farms (on a total of less than 70,000 acres) in an area with a population in the millions (2.6 million in greater San Diego county) that some 90% of the avocados consumed in the United States come from there.

Learn something new every day. :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 20 January 2016, 06:10:51
Learn something new every day. ;D ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 20 January 2016, 06:14:15
I know, I feel the same when I study the history of Chicago.  I saw a photo of the 'L' Red Line when they first extended it north.  The land alongside the embankment thru what is now a very crowded Uptown neighborhood was a cow pasture.  That was a shock.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: HatterJack on 20 January 2016, 06:28:30
I've actually lived through some of the massive expansion in the sprawls of a few places, so I don't really know why it's so shocking to see it in other places. Like Modesto California, for a few years in my youth, I lived in a rural area, helping my dad raise horses. I went back a few years ago and all of the farmland is gone, and it's nothing but housing subdivisions as far as the eye can see. The same thing has happened to Portland since I moved here. When I first moved here from Los Angeles, the place where I work at was a dairy farm next to a rural airport used mostly for crop dusting and life flight activity, and the building my ex-wife currently lives in was a milking shed for a subsistence farm in Troutdale. Now, when I'm not driving around, I sit inside a high-tech laboratory in the middle of a huge industrial complex, and my ex-wife is surrounded for miles in any direction by housing sprawl.

It's pretty crazy when you think about how much a place can change in just a few short years.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 20 January 2016, 09:18:22
The growth areas that happen while I am growing in the middle of them are perceived as natural, I saw every stage.  It's jumping a couple of decades forwards or backwards the produce the shocks.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 20 January 2016, 13:28:12
Very interesting Hatterjack and Janet. Such a dilemma - people need houses...but need to be fed from farms too.  :-\
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: HatterJack on 21 January 2016, 02:06:15
Indeed they do, and while the Japanese model of housing efficiency is a novel approach, I have a hard time seeing much of my own countrymen moving into smaller tenements (as opposed to the current McMansion situation) for the sake of agriculture. At least not until we go beyond a tipping point where people start dying of starvation due to lack of availability (starvation is already an issue in large swaths of the United States, but it's more about economics and people not caring about the poor (or caring more about the poor elsewhere than here) rather than lack of available food/farmland).
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 21 January 2016, 15:16:31
I agree Hatterjack. My current horror is also increasing population with an anticipation that the McMansions will be available as if that had no effect on the planet. It's an uncomfortable topic, but I firmly feel that our numbers should be heading downwards and our use of land for housing the same. It's a hearts and minds change that's required. Quickly.
It sounds like areas of America are in a very bleak situation?
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: HatterJack on 21 January 2016, 22:48:59
Certain areas are wildly overpopulated, but there are millions of acres of unused land all over the country that just sit empty. It's a large part of the reason behind the (rather misguided in my opinion, but this isn't really the place for politicking) militia takeover of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge that has been all over the news lately. There's no shortage of land in America that's suitable for farming or development for housing (or both) which would massively ease the overcrowding in the most populated areas. We just aren't using it for anything.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: leelaht on 22 January 2016, 13:39:41
Something I was taught in my civil engineering classes is that the good places have already been taken.  You find an empty lot, it's empty for a reason (in our class example, bad foundation conditions).  So good farmland is already farmed, good places to live are already lived in etc.  I've also recently read that population growth is decreasing now; worldwide birthrate is less than 2.0.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Janet Jaguar on 22 January 2016, 15:02:36
Quote
...population growth is decreasing now; worldwide birthrate is less than 2.0.

This is a very good thing, needs to decrease more.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 22 January 2016, 15:28:04
Quote from: Janet Jaguar on 22 January 2016, 15:02:36
Quote
...population growth is decreasing now; worldwide birthrate is less than 2.0.

This is a very good thing, needs to decrease more.

I'll second that Janet - a very good thing
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 23 January 2016, 11:07:02
Not a naval mascot, but take a look at the third photo down on this page - a splendid regimental goat at its passing out parade!

http://www.theguardian.com/news/gallery/2016/jan/22/photo-highlights-of-the-day-frosts-and-fires

Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 23 January 2016, 11:17:29
Impressive!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 23 April 2016, 11:07:42
‏(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CgswfwkUYAEHWMX.jpg)

[Seen on Twitter]
@mrdavidboberesq
Young rating aboard HMS Torquay playing cards with "Joey" the hamster and "Smew" the cat. #royalnavy #petsonships
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 23 April 2016, 12:37:27
Cute!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 23 April 2016, 13:16:35
That is just charming - very nice indeed.  :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 18 May 2016, 04:25:40
(http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/277/media-277677/preview.jpg)

Two American sailors with the ship's mascot, a dog named Fritz, on board USS Melville [WWI]
IWM Non Commercial Licence

Sweet little doggie.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 18 May 2016, 17:17:01
 :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Hurlock on 27 June 2016, 15:18:26
Albatross 23rd January 1908, Manila

http://oldweather.s3.amazonaws.com/ow3/final/Albatross/vol041of055/vol041of055_0237_1.jpg

William Horn, Mascot, reported the expiration of his enlistment.

The first mention of a Mascot I have seen in the ships log.  I have seen a photo of a goat on board ship with the name William in the title.  This is obviously a talented goat.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 27 June 2016, 18:26:08
(http://i.imgur.com/xON7EFg.png?1)

Let's hope William Horn lead a happy landlubbing life with fond memories of his days aboard the Albatross :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Hurlock on 11 July 2016, 15:35:34
There are some photos and a short account from a crewman of the Albatross in 1911 on this site.  It has photos of the mascot and of quite a menagerie on board the ship as it cruised around Alaska.
http://www.arcticwebsite.com/albatrossPhotographs.html

 
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Thursday Next on 11 July 2016, 15:42:23
 8)  ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 25 July 2016, 07:06:23
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CoMzAb8XYAAG_79.jpg:large)

@HMSCaroline

@MBFountain The Ship's Pets in 1916 Tom, Puff and Blucher. Hope this helps #MaritimeAnimals
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Maikel on 19 September 2016, 03:51:18
Here's a tweet showing good old Jack, the dog of vice-admiral Evan-Thomas on board HMS Barham after being patched up.
Jack had been wounded during the Battle of Jutland.

https://twitter.com/HistoryHit/status/777537467671015425 (https://twitter.com/HistoryHit/status/777537467671015425)

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CspeM4oWcAAp4po.jpg)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 19 September 2016, 16:04:08
What a good boy.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 19 September 2016, 16:55:20
Awwwwww love him. What a brave dog - very intelligent face bless him  :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 23 November 2016, 10:14:50
Somewhat disturbing pic from Twitter:

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cx84YOhXUAAwkJe.jpg:small)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Bob on 23 November 2016, 10:43:59
 :o

I can haz boom?
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 23 November 2016, 16:43:29
"Give me my kit-e-kat tuna chunks or..."  How is it that cat's can give you such a withering look?  ;) :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 24 November 2016, 06:10:08
That is a cat which knows it has the upper paw ....
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 24 November 2016, 11:57:01
 :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 13 December 2016, 04:06:43
(http://porttowns.port.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/pic3.jpg)

Seasonal ships' pets.  :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Hurlock on 13 December 2016, 05:10:10
Perhaps that is how they planned on smuggling these cats into Australia.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 13 December 2016, 17:13:30
Oh sooo cute :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Danny252 on 15 December 2016, 10:01:17
The locals in the naval port of Simon's Town, South Africa are very fond of a former local mascot - Able Seaman Just Nuisance, HMS Afrikander, RN:

(http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/nuisance/images/smst_jn_003.jpg)

Just Nuisance became acquainted with naval ratings at the United Services Institute at Simon's Town, and soon became well known for accompanying them on trips to Cape Town, supposedly having a knack for knowing the time of the last train! When railway officials threatened to put him down for traveling on their services without paying his fare, he was enlisted in the Royal Navy as an Able Seaman, thereby entitling him to free rail travel, his trade being "Bone Crusher", and his religious denomination being "Scrounger", later "Canine Divinity League [Anti-Vivisection]". He was also known for being an aviator, going AWOL to Wingfield Aerodrome and being taken up to assist in spotting submarines, but in keeping with being a naval rating, he earned his fair share of punishments:

Quote
Traveling on the railways without a pass. Punishment Awarded: Confined to the banks of Froggy Pond, Lily Pool, with all lamp posts removed.
Did sleep in an improper place, namely in a bed in the Petty Officers' dormitory. Punishment Awarded: Deprived of bones for seven days.
Did resist ejection from the Sailors' & Soldiers' Home. No punishment awarded.

He is well known in Simon's Town, with his own statue and plenty of mentions in the museums and on local plaques, and has both a web page (http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/nuisance/nuisance.htm) and books written about him!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 15 December 2016, 10:03:36
 8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 15 December 2016, 13:23:13
Some pooch! That's a big Just Nuisance  ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 21 March 2017, 09:31:25
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C7cOV-sXkAApExT.jpg)

 ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Helen J on 21 March 2017, 13:21:05
I think the combination of cat and fish market is bound to lead to conduct of a less than ideal kind.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 21 March 2017, 16:33:36
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 25 April 2017, 14:08:39
My latest sailing magazine had a great article about 'Just Nuisance' a Royal Navy Dog.

Caro was kind enough to put it on her Google Drive at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_HS6UI83kHzZDJOZG5rTEcwVjg   ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 25 April 2017, 19:27:16
Quote from: Dean on 25 April 2017, 14:08:39
My latest sailing magazine had a great article about 'Just Nuisance' a Royal Navy Dog.

Caro was kind enough to put it on her Google Drive at: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_HS6UI83kHzZDJOZG5rTEcwVjg   ;)

That was a very interesting article Dean. I understand the pleasure of telling the story of Just Nuisance, but also the harsh reality of the lives of the black community in South Africa. The differences between the two must still leave a bitter taste. Let's hope that time, truth, and reconciliation do the trick  8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 26 April 2017, 19:08:29
It is always my hope and prayer that sometime the World will just get together and get along with each other!   ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 26 April 2017, 21:38:23
It is sad, but seeing the story from a different perspective is definitely a valuable lesson.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 22 June 2017, 14:26:05
Dr Steven Gray has just started @PetsOnShips on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/PetsOnShips

 :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 22 June 2017, 15:14:44
Oh I do feel guilty - I never quite got the time to go back to the ships mascot museum in America (was it Seattle?) I must do that. I don't understand Twitter so I have no idea of how to add to the list, but I wonder if the picture with the bear has any relationship to the Russian bear that was sold to the crew of the Intrepid. The full, and hilarious, story is in the book by Captain Rupert Stanley Gwatkin-Williams, 'Under the Black Ensign'.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 23 June 2017, 10:13:03
The bear is Hokko, mascot of the Panzerschiff Deutschland (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_cruiser_Deutschland), according to one of Steven's previous tweets (@DrStevenGray).
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 23 June 2017, 12:34:42
Ah! Hello Hokko then   :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 09 October 2017, 11:09:47
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DLsju2jXkAAGu14.jpg)

Andy Hill‏ @theBookPeeper

Ship's cat from HMS Princess Royal 1916

 :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 09 October 2017, 16:18:52
Awwww -what a fine mog he is!  :D

Heading for the hammock - last night I tossed and turned and got about 2 hours slumber - no idea why  :-\
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 30 January 2018, 15:54:56
The Little-Known History of Seafaring Pets (https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/little-known-history-seafaring-pets-dogs-cats-chickens-war-exploration)
(except by us maybe)

(https://assets.atlasobscura.com/article_images/50838/image.jpg)

 :)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 30 January 2018, 18:07:28
Good to see that they are publishing!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Hurlock on 15 December 2018, 01:59:10
USRC Bear January 19th 1913
https://catalog.archives.gov/OpaAPI/media/6919263/content/arcmedia/dc-metro/rg-026/585454-noaa/bear/vol107/26-159A-bear-vol107_024.jpg

The ship's mascat goat "Nan" returned on board after a week's leave ashore on a farm.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 15 December 2018, 08:30:28
;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 15 December 2018, 19:25:11
Speaking of Mascots... My wife was doing some research and found the following about 'Lassie' in Wikipedia:

World War I incident[edit]
According to writer Nigel Clarke in the "Shipwreck Guide to Dorset and South Devon", the original Lassie who inspired so many films and television episodes was a rough-haired crossbreed who saved the life of a sailor during World War I.

Half collie, Lassie was owned by the landlord of the Pilot Boat, a pub in the port of Lyme Regis. On New Year's Day in 1915 the Royal Navy battleship Formidable was torpedoed by a German submarine off Start Point in South Devon, with the loss of more than 500 men. In a storm that followed the accident, a life raft containing bodies was blown along the coast to Lyme Regis. In helping to deal with the crisis, the local pub in Lyme Regis, called the Pilot Boat, offered its cellar as a mortuary.

When the bodies had been laid out on the stone floor, Lassie, a crossbred collie owned by the pub owner, found her way down amongst the bodies, and she began to lick the face of one of the victims, Able Seaman John Cowan. She stayed beside him for more than half an hour, nuzzling him and keeping him warm with her fur. To everyone's astonishment, Cowan eventually stirred. He was taken to hospital and went on to make a full recovery. He visited Lassie again when he returned to thank all who saved his life.

When the officers heard the story of Lassie and what she did to rescue Cowan, they told it again and again to any reporter who would listen as it was inspirational and heart-warming. Hollywood got hold of the story, and so a star was born.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 16 December 2018, 16:54:35
 :D :D :D That's a fine story Dean - well done to Mrs Dean for uncovering Lassie's real story. I had no idea of this tale at all having only seen the Hollywood versions.
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Maikel on 08 January 2019, 09:43:21
HMAS Warrego - Fire when ready...

(http://www.navy.gov.au/sites/default/files/styles/content_image_full_width/public/Warrego%201918%20copy.jpg)

More HMAS Warrego images can be found at the State Library of Victoria: http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-warrego-i
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 08 January 2019, 10:38:27
;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: jil on 08 January 2019, 11:32:01
Cute!
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 09 January 2019, 08:34:03
Is he gunning for an extra ration of eucalyptus leaves I wonder?  ::) ;D
What a cutie  :D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Dean on 10 January 2019, 16:37:35
Gives 'Bearing of the Guns' a whole new meaning!  ;)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Michael on 10 January 2019, 17:57:31
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 10 January 2019, 18:27:49
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Caro on 03 May 2020, 02:56:30
Ship's dog Shackleton ...  ;D

(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/15357/production/_111917868_20190524_zeebrugge_to_dordrecht_03.jpg)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52395200
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: Randi on 03 May 2020, 09:17:25
 8)
Title: Re: Ships' Pets and Mascots
Post by: AvastMH on 03 May 2020, 19:26:26
That is one cool dude of a dog  8) 8) 8)