Naval History and Heritage Command

In this episode, National Museum of the U.S. Navy Museum Curator Gordon Calhoun and NHHC Public Affairs Specials Thomas Frezza discuss how animals, once a source of nourishment for Sailors out on long journeys, went to becoming pets like that of Admiral George Dewey's dog "Bob," to the various mascots like that of USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18), the rooster of various USS Saratoga ships, and the U.S. Naval Academy's goat. For the Navy of today, animals continue to serve in the Navy like the bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions help serve for the protection of harbors and recovery of objects, while dogs like "Sage," "Oliver," and "Morgan" all help support Sailors with the stresses of military life at sea and onshore.

Show References:

Books

·          Autobiography of Geord Dewey: Admiral of the Navy. 1913

          -  Admiral Dewey with his dog, "Bob," pg .225

·         The Great American-Spanish War Scenes. 1898

          -  Ship's Company on the Cruiser Baltimore with mascots, pg. 169

          -  Officers of dispatch boat Dolphin with monkey mascot, pg. 176

·         The American Battleship and Life in the Navy. 1908

         -  Sailors with goat, rooster, and dog mascot, pg. 219

         -  Sailor asleep with bear, pg. 287

Digital Resources

·        General Order 28: Animals on Public Vessels, Nov. 1838

·        Kids Activity: Navy Tails

·        Photography: Collection of Imagery of Sailors with Various Animals

·        Photography: Eli, the Dancing Goat, Mascot of Pelham Bay Naval Training Station

·        Photography: The Navy Goat Mascot. Army and Navy Baseball Game, May 19, 1918.

·        Story: Mutts with a Mission Deploys with USS Gerald R. Ford

·        Story: Goats, Mules, and Football Games

·        Story: Wags of Wellness: Dogs Enlist in Navy Effort to Improve Sailor's Mental Health

·        Website: NHHC General Search for "Animals"