Rigel
Canine Companion of First Officer William McMaster Murdoch
Newfoundland Breed of Dog
Okay, I think it's best to give some background on the breed of dog Rigel was so here goes;
The Newfoundland breed is a giant of a dog, very large and extremely strong as they have large bones and muscles. They are very keen on water and love to swim, and were used as worker dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland (now part of Canada) and they have often been found rescuing people from the water. They have duck-like feet in that they are webbed and have strong tails which are broad at the base, kind of rudder-like.
They have a double coat which is flat and water-resistant, the outer coat is oily, coarse and quite long and the undercoat is oily, thick and very soft, this keeps them dry and warm in cold situations and while swimming about.
It is said they are descended from Viking "bear dogs", they certainly look very ursine.
They are very, very friendly, calm, somewhat docile and extremely loyal, they are described as having a "sweet temper": think Nana from Peter Pan!
Rigel's Titanic
There is debate as to the authenticity of this story, some valid points to say the story is false have been mentioned by other Titanic researchers; that there were no records of Murdoch and Ada owning a dog, let alone a Newfoundland; that the crew member of Carpathia, Briggs does not exists in Carpathia's records, and is said to have adopted Rigel but why not give him back to Ada?; Lightoller makes no mention of him at all; the survivors on Lifeboat Number 4 haven't spoken of him.
However, it is a story I feel I must share as to omit it wouldn't feel right, so take it as you will;
This is the story of Rigel, the canine companion of First Officer William McMaster Murdoch.
Okay, I think it's best to give some background on the breed of dog Rigel was so here goes;
The Newfoundland breed is a giant of a dog, very large and extremely strong as they have large bones and muscles. They are very keen on water and love to swim, and were used as worker dogs for fishermen in Newfoundland (now part of Canada) and they have often been found rescuing people from the water. They have duck-like feet in that they are webbed and have strong tails which are broad at the base, kind of rudder-like.
They have a double coat which is flat and water-resistant, the outer coat is oily, coarse and quite long and the undercoat is oily, thick and very soft, this keeps them dry and warm in cold situations and while swimming about.
It is said they are descended from Viking "bear dogs", they certainly look very ursine.
They are very, very friendly, calm, somewhat docile and extremely loyal, they are described as having a "sweet temper": think Nana from Peter Pan!
Rigel's Titanic
There is debate as to the authenticity of this story, some valid points to say the story is false have been mentioned by other Titanic researchers; that there were no records of Murdoch and Ada owning a dog, let alone a Newfoundland; that the crew member of Carpathia, Briggs does not exists in Carpathia's records, and is said to have adopted Rigel but why not give him back to Ada?; Lightoller makes no mention of him at all; the survivors on Lifeboat Number 4 haven't spoken of him.
However, it is a story I feel I must share as to omit it wouldn't feel right, so take it as you will;
This is the story of Rigel, the canine companion of First Officer William McMaster Murdoch.
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 heroes of the Titanic disaster 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 icy 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 sailor aboard the Carpathia, now has Rigel and told the story of the dog's heroism. The Carpathia was moving slowly 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 women in the fourth boat had drifted under the Carpathia's starboard bow. They were dangerously close to the steamship, but 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. |