IDNO

P.86103.PAT

Description

The ship’s dog, Bjorn, lying in an upturned box on the deck of the Isbjørn.

Place

N America; Arctic; Greenland; ?Davis Strait; ?Godhavn; ?Godthaab

Cultural Affliation

Named Person

Bjorn

Photographer

None

Collector / Expedition

Paterson, Thomas Thompson

Date

?11 - 15 July 1937

Collection Name

Paterson Collection

Source

Paterson, Erik T.

Format

Print Black & White

Primary Documentation

Other Information

P.86084.PAT to P.86583.PAT were found wrapped in the card now numbered C446/1/.

Related Image: Same image mounted in James Wordie’s 1937 album with the number and caption:
“6. Bjorn.” [Jocelyne Dudding 3/3/2008]

Bibliographical Reference: J. M. Wordie; H. Carmichael; E. G. Dymond; T. C. Lethbridge, ‘An Expedition to North West Greenland and the Canadian Arctic in 1937’ in The Geographical Journal, Vol. 92, No. 5. (Nov., 1938), pp. 385-418.
Text on p. 388 includes:
We started “on the Atlantic passage westwards from Cape Wrath till July 1. There had been a period of very unsettled weather in the North Atlantic area, but more was to follow ... We remained in this way till the 11th, when the weather improved and we attempted a more northerly course. Then almost suddenly the sea flattened out, though the wind was still fairly strong, and we knew that we must now be to leeward of the unseen pack-ice and into Davis Strait. The quick change to moderate seas, which may be expected under these conditions, is as welcome and sudden as when a small ship in a gale rounds a breakwater into harbour.
In Davis Strait we had overcast conditions with mist and a gentle head swell during the four days passage to Godhavn. There was a short clearing one evening off Godthaab, enough to show the characteristic mountains, Sadlen and Hjortetakken, known as the Beacons of Godthaab, and by this means we fixed our position, having been without sights for five days. This was only a temporary improvement however and for the most part we were limited to 5 to 10 mile visibility in the passage up the Strait”. [JD 13/2/2007]

MAA Facebook: Image published on 5/7/2017 with the caption: "It's Woof Wednesday! And today we salute the brave sea dogs of the past who were employed on-board for crew morale, to lead patrols in search of food, and to warn their crew of unseen dangers. They were protectors and friends.
Pictured below is Bjorn, sea dog of the Isbjorn in 1937. He is lying in an upturned box, taking a well deserved break after having made it through a patch of bad weather in the North Atlantic. He is now cruising up the Davis Strait under overcast skies and through thick mist. You can only see five miles in any direction. One evening, he managed to catch a glimpse of the Beacons of Godthaab (the mountains Sadlen and Hjortetakken). But the mist has since returned. With his head pressed against the crate, his eyes are only resting and he is more than ready to spring into action should any dangers lurk just out of sight.
P.86103.PAT
The ship’s dog, Bjorn, lying in an upturned box on the deck of the Isbjorn.
N America; Arctic; Greenland; ?Davis Strait; ?Godhavn; ?Godthaab"
36 Likes; 2 Shares; 2 comments "‪Ravi Raninga‪ - Didn't know dogs were taken on-board for these purposes. Great to learn this! Thanks MAA!‬"
"‪Petra Birkett‪ - Thank you, MAA FB editors for funny and accurate and informative posts." [JD 22/08/2017]

This catalogue record has been updated with the support of the Getty Grant Program Two. [Jocelyne Dudding 13/2/2007]