There are 12 dogs confirmed to have been on the Titanic. This varied from a French Bulldog, a Terrier, a Pekingese and a Pomeranian and even an alleged Great-Dane. Only three of the canines aboard the ship was lucky enough to get off. It is with piece I’d like to shed some light on a handful of the four-legged victims of the Titanic.
Ben and Rigel:
Nicknamed the mystery dogs of Titanic Ben and Rigel have certainly caught the attention of many Titanic enthusiasts. Rigel was allegedly present for the sinking of Titanic. The newfoundland’s canine had been first reported by the New York Herald as having stayed close to lifeboat 4 before the Cunard ship Carpathia reached the drifting lifeboat. Many speculated that the dog had belonged to Titanic’s first officer William Murdoch, who went down with Titanic. It’s more than likely that Rigel was a product of the imagination of the Titanic -frenzied press.
Ben on the other hand, certainly did exist. A large greyhound, by the name of Ben was the companion of Titanic’s Captain, Edward John Smith. Pictures do exist of Ben with his owner on board various steamships, including Titanic. Ben did not travel on board Titanic with Captain Smith. Ben would have been more than comfortable as Titanic did provide canine care. Despite some claims that the kennels were located on ‘F’ Deck it has never been officially confirmed but, Carpathia passenger Richard Williams, allegedly interacted with an unidentified survivor had said Titanic’s kennels were located on the boat-deck (the exact place has never been identified).
Kitty:
Kitty was an Ariedale who certainly did live in the lap of luxury. This Titanic pooch belonged to two of Titanic’s wealthiest passengers; John Jacob Astor VI and his 18 year-old wife Madeline. Kitty had travelled with the Astor’s whom, were returning to America from their European honeymoon. The Astor family had certainly caused a stir on the White Star Line vessel, not only had the recently divorced John Jacob Astor married a women with a near thirty year age gap to himself , but Madeline was already three months pregnant when travelling on Titanic. Kitty, according to the history books had quite a mischievous streak. John and Madeline whilst traveling on Titanic’s sister RMS Olympic had run off after a stroll on the promenade deck. She was found by fellow Titanic passenger Margaret Brown. On April 14th, 1912 John had asked Second Officer Charles Lightoller if he may accompany his wife into the lifeboat but Lightoller refused. Madeline was coaxed into lifeboat 4 from a promenade window. Unfortunately, Kitty did not accompany Madeline. Historian Gill Paul writes “ As they rowed off Madeline looked back and thought she could see Kitty…. She thought I do hope she will be rescued as well.” This was not the case Kitty did not survive the sinking nor was her body ever found.
Frou-Frou:
Frou-Frou was described as a small yappy lap-dog owned by another first class Titanic honeymoon couple, Helen and Dickinson Bishop. Frou-Frou became an addition to the Bishop family in late 1911. she was purchased in Florence as gift from Dickinson to Helen. The Bishops boarded Titanic at Cherbourg alongside 281 other passengers. The dog was permitted to stay in the cabin with her owners, the Bishops occupied cabin B49. Typically, dogs were not supposed to stay in the cabins with passengers but it’s frequently thought that the staff didn’t mind the dog as she so small. Helen was in her cabin when stewards ushered passengers up to the boat deck. Helen asked her husband if the dog could come with them into the lifeboat but Dickinson, unaware of the seriousness of the situation had told his wife to leave the dog on the couch of the state room. That was the last time Frou-Frou was ever seen. The Dickinson’s left the doomed liner on lifeboat 3. The same boat that contained one of Titanic’s canine survivors Margaret Hays and her Pomeranian. Helen had bitterly regretted not bringing Frou-Frou along with her.
Ann Bishop and the Great Dane:
One of the most heart-breaking stories from the night Titanic went down is the story of Ann Isham. Although never verified it is confirmed that this woman did exist. As her cabin was next door to Conel Archibald Gracie. She was one of the four first class women to be lost in the sinking. First class passenger Ann Isham had supposedly traveled on Titanic with her great-dane (the name of the dog has never been identified). She was offered a seat in a lifeboat and had asked if her dog could accompany her. Unfortunately, the dog was turned away. Isham in retreat declined her seat on the lifeboat and stayed with her dog. Weeks later when the German liner, the SS Breman attempted to retrieve more bodies from the wreck site, the body of a woman was found with her arms wrapped around a large dog.
Overall, not much else is known about the life of Titanic’s other furry passengers. It should be mentioned that the White Star Line certainly did make a fuss of their four-legged passengers on April 16th a dog show had been scheduled to take place. But as always, I’ll leave a few external links about the dogs on the Titanic.
Have a titanic week!
- Millie
Honouring the 12 Dogs on the Titanic: https://www.dogtagart.com/blog/honoring-12-dogs-titanic
Dogs of the Titanic according to The Bark.com : https://thebark.com/content/dogs-titanic
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