The Unbelievable Story of Pelorus Jack- The Dolphin That Guided Ships To Safety

Appearance of Pelorus Jack

Pelorus Jack, a Risso's dolphin, gained fame for his habit of meeting and escorting ships through a particular area of water in Cook Strait, New Zealand. This remarkable animal was sighted and reported over a period of 24 years, from 1888 until his disappearance in 1912.

He was a solitary bottlenose dolphin who was first spotted in the area in the late 19th century, and his unique behavior of swimming alongside and in front of ships caught the attention of sailors and mariners alike.

Over time, Pelorus Jack became a beloved figure and a symbol of luck and protection for sailors navigating the dangerous waters of the sound.

According to local knowledge, Pelorus Jack was named after Pelorus Sound because it was at the entrance to that area of water where he would frequently meet ships and accompany them.

Pelorus Sound is the largest of the sounds that comprise the Marlborough Sounds, located at the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand.

Geographically speaking, a sound is a relatively narrow sea or ocean channel that connects to a larger body of water.

Pelorus Jack was estimated to be around 4 meters (13 ft) in length and was characterized by a white body with grey lines or markings, as well as a round, white head.

How Pelorus Jack Guided Ships

Pelorus Jack would guide ships by swimming alongside them for up to 20 minutes at a time. If the crew did not initially spot him, they would often wait until he appeared.

In addition to guiding ships through other areas, Pelorus Jack was known for his ability to guide vessels through the treacherous French Pass, a challenging and dangerous stretch of water in New Zealand.

Despite the presence of rocks and strong currents in the area, no shipwrecks occurred when Jack was present.

Pelorus Jack was last sighted in April 1912.

Pelorus Jack Was Protected By Law

In 1904, someone tried to shoot Pelorus Jack with a rifle, but his dedication to guiding and assisting ships remained steadfast despite the attempt on his life.

After the shooting incident, a law was introduced to safeguard Pelorus Jack. He was officially protected by an Order in Council under the Sea Fisheries Act on September 26, 1904, and remained protected under that law until his disappearance in 1912. This made him, reportedly, the first individual sea creature to receive protection under the law in any country.

Pelorus Jack is immortalized

Over 100 years after Pelorus Jack disappeared, a statue has been erected by Dunedin sculptor Bryn Jones to immortalize the famous marine mammal.

Jones, who grew up hearing stories about Pelorus Jack, has maintained a fascination with the dolphin and even keeps a book about him in his personal bookcase.

According to the artist, creating the sculpture was a time-consuming process. Initially, a 3.5-meter-long life-size model of the dolphin was carved out of polyurethane foam as the first step in the process.

The 3.5-meter-long foam model was cut into 14 pieces or patterns, which were then transported to a foundry. At the foundry, each pattern was placed in a box and filled with sand to create a mold. After removing the pattern from the sand, a hollow cavity was left behind, into which bronze was poured to create the final sculpture.

Pelorus Jack was a remarkable animal who captured the imagination of sailors and the wider public alike. His unique behavior of guiding ships through the Pelorus Sound made him a beloved figure and a symbol of good luck and protection.

References:

An ode to a friendly dolphin: Remembering Pelorus Jack

Dolphin sculpture and information kiosk ready for French Pass in Marlborough Sounds