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Pelorus Jack - the helping dolphin

The first sighting of Pelorus Jack a Risso's dolphin (the determination was based on photos) was around 1888, when it appeared in front of the schooner Brindle, which was travelling through French Pass, New Zealand. Jack stood out due to its bright colouring and white head and there were no other similar animals in the area. From then on it regularly appeared when ships travelled from Admiralty Bay and Pelorus Sound / Te Hoiere into Cook Strait and so it was named after the sound.

This route was dangerous for shipping due to shallows, treacherous currents, wild eddies and underwater rocks; there were no accidents when Pelorus Jack was present. Jack quickly became a lucky charm; it seemed to guide the ships through the dangerous straits and usually stayed with a ship for about 20 minutes. Sometimes the skippers would also wait for it when they entered the Strait.

Pelorus Jack - French Pass, New Zealand

In this way, Pelorus Jack became well known to all sailors and also to the local population. When a drunken passenger from the steamer Penguin shot at the dolphin in 1903, injuring it in the fin, the crew could only be prevented from lynching the shooter by force. The dolphin did not show itself for a fortnight and it was feared that it was dead. As a result, the Sea Fisheries Act was passed in New Zealand on 26 September 1904, which placed Pelorus Jack under protection. This was probably the first individual sea creature to be protected by law. According to legend, however, it has never helped the penguin again since this incident. Without the help of the friendly animal, the Penguin was shipwrecked in the passage.

The last sighting was in April 1912, after which it disappeared without a trace and numerous rumours about its disappearance surfaced. But his story managed to become known worldwide and statues were erected in its honour and even a children's song and a chocolate brand name were created.

#naval history #naval anecdote #pelorus jack #helping dolfin #19th century #early 20th century #age of steam

This is Pelorus Jack, a Risso's dolphin who lived back in the late 1800's into the early 1900's, in New Zealand waters.

The reason we have so many photos of Jack is because he spent 24 years (1988-1912) helping guide ships through French Pass in Cook Strait, the passage of water between the north and south islands of New Zealand. While this passage was well-known for being one of the most dangerous passages in the world, any ship Pelorus Jack escorted made it through safely. This was so well-known that ships that did not see him at first would often wait until he showed up before proceeding through.

While Pelorus Jack was leading ships, only one ship was known to have run aground in the pass- the SS Penguin, or perhaps better known as the ship that had shot Pelorus Jack several years earlier. Jack recovered from the shooting, but ever-after refused to guide their ship. In 1904, after his shooting, Pelorus Jack became the first known individual sea creature protected by law. He continued guiding ships until his disappearance in 1912. He is believed to have passed from old age, as indications were that he was not young when he began escorting ships.

After his disappearance, the New Zealand Royal Navy ship HMS New Zealand named their mascot bulldog after Pelorus Jack.

#dolphins #the ocean #pelorus jack #history #I have spent all morning down this rabbit hole #and now you have to know about him too

I was Wikipedia diving and found out about Pelorus Jack... they are so cool.... I wish I was a seafarer guided by a Risso's dolphin to my safety...

Also fuck the SS penguin you get what you fuckin deserve!!!!

#risso's dolphin #dolphin #Pelorus Jack

#memes #pelorus Jack #biology #marine biology #bioblr #zoology #history #risso’s dolphin #shitpost

HMS New Zealand's Pelorus Jack

New Zealand newspaper Thames Star OTD July 19 1919 publishes this photo of HMS New Zealand's mascot Pelorus Jack titled "CEASE FIRE." The dog sits on "one of the forward 13-5 guns on H.M.S. New Zealand, which hurled destruction at the Huns in all the North Sea battles."

There were actually two Pelorus Jack mascots during the war as the first died Apr 24 1916 after falling down battlecruiser HMS New Zealand's forward funnel.

Cassowary Colorizations 1914

Wikicommons

Registration Number PS.000507

Torpedo Bay Navy Museum

HMS New Zealand (1911)

#HMS New Zealand #Pelorus Jack

Pelorus Jack, a dolphin, found in New Zealand, became famous for escorting and guiding ships out of the French Pass, a notoriously dangerous channel used by ships. For 24 years between 1888 and 1912, it helped sea vessels travel safely, so much so that ships would wait for its arrival. When a passing ship wounded him, New Zealand passed a law to protect him. [source 1, 2, photo]

#pelorus jack #dolphin #new zealand #facts #animal

In 1888 a Risso’s dolphin, uncommon in that area, appeared in the strait between New Zealand’s North and South Islands. He was named Pelorus Jack and would guide steamers through the dangerous French Pass. He led ships through the strait for 24 years, each ship taking twenty minutes, without a single shipwreck. He disappeared in 1912.

#19th century #risso's dolphin #dolphin #pelorus jack #french pass #guide #nautical history