Swansea Jack
(1930 - October 1937) was a famous Welsh dog that rescued 27 people from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea,Wales.
www.swanseamuseum.co.uk
One of the famous dogs featured in our Famous Dogs in History Section
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Swansea Jack was a black retriever born in 1930. He lived in the North Dock / River Tawe area of Swansea with his master, William Thomas.
It is told that one day, Jack came across 12 year old boy drowning in the river and ran in, pulling the boy to shore by the scruff of his neck. There was no one around to see it, and had circumstances been different and it had not happened again, the youngester would have been the only one to know.
Luckily for others that nearly drowned, Jack was not finished his life saving. Withthin a few weeks, Jack rescued another swimmer, this time with witnesses in attendance and his photograph appeard in the local paper and the local council awarded Jack with a silver collar.
Over the course of the next decade, Jack was reported to have saved in the region of 23 - 27 people from what was said to be the most dangerous river and docks in Wales, and there are many people who believe that the number of people saved was much higher than this.
In 2000, Swansea Jack was named ‘Dog of the Century’ by NewFound Friends of Bristol who train domestic dogs in aquatic rescue techniques.
It is told that one day, Jack came across 12 year old boy drowning in the river and ran in, pulling the boy to shore by the scruff of his neck. There was no one around to see it, and had circumstances been different and it had not happened again, the youngester would have been the only one to know.
Luckily for others that nearly drowned, Jack was not finished his life saving. Withthin a few weeks, Jack rescued another swimmer, this time with witnesses in attendance and his photograph appeard in the local paper and the local council awarded Jack with a silver collar.
Over the course of the next decade, Jack was reported to have saved in the region of 23 - 27 people from what was said to be the most dangerous river and docks in Wales, and there are many people who believe that the number of people saved was much higher than this.
In 2000, Swansea Jack was named ‘Dog of the Century’ by NewFound Friends of Bristol who train domestic dogs in aquatic rescue techniques.
. In addition to his silver collar, he received the Bravest Dog of the Year Award, a silver cup from the Mayor of London and a statue of him was made. His publicly-funded memorial stands on the Promenade near St.Helen’s Rugby Ground.
Jack may have lent his name to the nickname for local people – Swansea Jacks and this nickname was also taken up by the Premier Football team Swansea FC - " The Swansea Jacks". A noted pub in Swansea is named Swansea Jack, in honour of the dog.
Unfortunately poor Swansea Jack died in October of 1937 after eating rat poison.
The Mayor of Swansea. Councillor W. D. Rees, on Saturday [1 October 1938] unveiled on Swansea promenade a memorial to "Swansea Jack," a retriever dog owned by Mr. W. Thomas, of Victoria Hotel, Swansea, which during its lifetime saved 23 people from drowning. Permission was given for the dog. which was the holder of the canine "V.C.," to be buried in a corner on Swansea promenade. Mr. C. Jones, a monumental mason in the town, made the memorial.
Jack may have lent his name to the nickname for local people – Swansea Jacks and this nickname was also taken up by the Premier Football team Swansea FC - " The Swansea Jacks". A noted pub in Swansea is named Swansea Jack, in honour of the dog.
Unfortunately poor Swansea Jack died in October of 1937 after eating rat poison.
The Mayor of Swansea. Councillor W. D. Rees, on Saturday [1 October 1938] unveiled on Swansea promenade a memorial to "Swansea Jack," a retriever dog owned by Mr. W. Thomas, of Victoria Hotel, Swansea, which during its lifetime saved 23 people from drowning. Permission was given for the dog. which was the holder of the canine "V.C.," to be buried in a corner on Swansea promenade. Mr. C. Jones, a monumental mason in the town, made the memorial.
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