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N is for Newfoundland
The Newfoundland are known for their giant size, tremendous strength, calm dispositions, and
loyalty. Also, partly due to their webbed feet and water resistant coat, they excel at water rescue/lifesaving! The story below is about Rigel, the Newf who belonged to William Murdoch (the First Officer on the Titanic); he not only survived but spent over three hours in the 28-degree water and helped in saving a boat full of people!
New York Herald, Sunday, April 21, 1912:
Survivor's Cries Weak, Dog's Bark Causes Rescue of Boatload
Rigel, whose master sank with the Titanic, Guides the Carpathia's Captain to Suffering
Passengers Hidden Under Rescue Ship's Bow.
Not the least among the heros of the Titanic was Rigel, a big black Newfoundland dog,
belonging to the first officer, who went down with his ship. But for Rigel, the fourth boat picked up might have been run down by the Carpathia. For three hours he swam in the water where the Titanic went down, evidently looking for his master, and was instrumental in guiding the boatload of survivors to the gangway of the Carpathia.
Jonas Briggs, a seaman aboard the Carpathia, now has Rigel and told the story of the dog's
heroism. The Carpathia was moving slowing about, looking for boats, rafts or anything which might be afloat. Exhausted with their efforts, weak from lack of food and exposure to the cutting wind, and terror stricken, the men and woman in the fourth boat drifted under the Carpathia's starboard bow. They were dangerously close to the steamship, too weak to shout a warning loud enough to
reach the bridge.
The boat might not have been seen were it not for the sharp barking of Rigel, who was swimming ahead of the craft and valiantly announcing his position. The barks attracted
the attention of Captain Rostron and he went to the starboard end of the bridge to see where they came from and saw the boat. He immediately ordered the engines stopped and the boat came alongside the starboard gangway.
Care was taken to take Rigel aboard, but he appeared little affected by his long trip through the
ice cold water. He stood by the rail and barked until Captain Rostron called Briggs and had him take the dog below.
loyalty. Also, partly due to their webbed feet and water resistant coat, they excel at water rescue/lifesaving! The story below is about Rigel, the Newf who belonged to William Murdoch (the First Officer on the Titanic); he not only survived but spent over three hours in the 28-degree water and helped in saving a boat full of people!
New York Herald, Sunday, April 21, 1912:
Survivor's Cries Weak, Dog's Bark Causes Rescue of Boatload
Rigel, whose master sank with the Titanic, Guides the Carpathia's Captain to Suffering
Passengers Hidden Under Rescue Ship's Bow.
Not the least among the heros of the Titanic was Rigel, a big black Newfoundland dog,
belonging to the first officer, who went down with his ship. But for Rigel, the fourth boat picked up might have been run down by the Carpathia. For three hours he swam in the water where the Titanic went down, evidently looking for his master, and was instrumental in guiding the boatload of survivors to the gangway of the Carpathia.
Jonas Briggs, a seaman aboard the Carpathia, now has Rigel and told the story of the dog's
heroism. The Carpathia was moving slowing about, looking for boats, rafts or anything which might be afloat. Exhausted with their efforts, weak from lack of food and exposure to the cutting wind, and terror stricken, the men and woman in the fourth boat drifted under the Carpathia's starboard bow. They were dangerously close to the steamship, too weak to shout a warning loud enough to
reach the bridge.
The boat might not have been seen were it not for the sharp barking of Rigel, who was swimming ahead of the craft and valiantly announcing his position. The barks attracted
the attention of Captain Rostron and he went to the starboard end of the bridge to see where they came from and saw the boat. He immediately ordered the engines stopped and the boat came alongside the starboard gangway.
Care was taken to take Rigel aboard, but he appeared little affected by his long trip through the
ice cold water. He stood by the rail and barked until Captain Rostron called Briggs and had him take the dog below.
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