Bob the Railway Dog (also known as "Terowie Bob"[1]) is part of South Australian Railways folklore. He travelled the South Australian Railways system in the latter part of the 19th century, and was known widely to railwaymen of the day; he is part of the folklore in the area, and has been commemorated over the years.
Bob first experienced the railway life when, as a young dog, he took a fancy to the workers building the railway near Strathalbyn and followed some of the navvies to the line. He was brought back to his owner, the publican of the Macclesfield Hotel, two or three times before finally disappearing. He was about nine months old at the time.[2]
His true railway career appears to have commenced not long after being consigned from Adelaide, along with fifty other dogs, to Quorn, to be used to exterminate rabbits near Carrieton. Bob was, it was believed, picked up as a stray in Adelaide. He was swapped (though it has been suggested he "broke pack")[3] for another dog, obtained as a stray from the police in Port Augusta by William Seth Ferry, then working as a special guard at Petersburg as Peterborough was then known. Ferry "registered him right away" and is recorded as noting he acquired Bob on 24 September 1884.[4]
Eventually William Ferry, a nephew of Seth Ferry, the noted horse trainer,[5] was promoted to Petersburg Assistant Station Master in February 1885,[4] by which time Bob had become accustomed to train travel.
Bob, the railway dog, atop a train at Port Augusta
Bob was known to venture to and from Petersburg often sitting in the front of the coal space in the locomotive tender, travelling many thousands of miles. According to the Petersburg Times[6] "His favourite place on a Yankee engine; the big whistle and belching smokestack seem(ed) to have an irresistible attraction for him... he lived on the fat of the land, and was not particular from whom he accepted his dinner."[7]
Bob did not like suburban engines because of their cramped cabs, but was known to clear out third class compartments for his sole use by "vigorously barking at all stations, usually succeeding in convincing intending passengers that the coach had been reserved of his special benefit". "His bark was robust and often caused strangers to believe that he was being aggressive when he really intended to be friendly."[8] He had no master, but was befriended and enabled by the engineers (for whom he seemed to have a special affinity) and trainmen, and permitted to "ride for free, like a politician."[7]
Some sources[9] suggest that Bob's travels took him to all mainland states of Australia, being seen as far afield as Oodnadatta, Queensland, and even Western Australia (given there was no railway connection at the time, this is unlikely). However, he was noted as having "several river trips up the Murray and around the coast".[6] He was present at the opening of the railway between Petersburg and Broken Hill, as a "distinguished guest at the Melbourne Exhibition in 1881".[10][lower-alpha 1] Given that he was not acquired by Ferry until 1884, it is not clear if this was indeed "Bob" (although the source may have confused the 1880 event with the 1888 Melbourne Centennial Exhibition which was held in the building constructed for the 1880 event).
Accidents
Bob is noted as having several accidents in his career. In his early career, Bob had a number of falls, after which he refined his skills jumping up onto, or from one locomotive to another, even as they moved. On one occasion he is reported to have fallen from an engine travelling between Manoora and Saddleworth, and managed to walk two miles to Saddleworth with an injured leg.[11]
In Port Pirie, his tail became jammed – just where is not known. In another incident, Bob is reported as losing an inch off his tail after slipping off, and on another journey, his coat caught fire.[12]
During a stay in Adelaide, Bob is reported to have spent time at Goodwood Cabin, and, after tripping down the cabin's stairs, started rolling under and out the other side of a passing train.[13]
During one of his visits to Port Augusta, Bob is said to have caught a steamship to Port Pirie after apparently confusing the ship's whistle with that of a locomotive.[14]
The Petersburg Times[10] records that "only during one winter did he look miserable, when some employé (on probation) cut off all his hair except that of his neck and tip of his tail. He was supposed to look like a diminutive lion, but his voice betrayed him".
Bloodline
Various reports over the years suggest that while Bob was "well bred",[12] he was most likely a Koolie crossed with a Smithfield.[12] Others claim he was a Bearded collie.[15]
One correspondent, Henry Hollamby of Macclesfield, claimed in the Southern Argus[2] that he was the breeder, and that "Bob's father was a German collie dog". He writes that he passed the dog to the owner of the Macclesfield Hotel, James Mott. Later research by Parker appears to support this.[16]
Home-keeping dogs have homely wits, Their notions tame and poor; I scorn the dog who humbly sits Before the cottage door, Or those who weary vigils keep, Or follow lowly kine; A dreary life midst stupid sheep Shall ne'er be lot of mine.
For free from thrall I travel far, No fixed abode I own; I leap aboard a railway car; By every one I'm known; Today I'm here, tomorrow brings Me miles and miles away; Borne swiftly on steam's rushing wings, I see fresh friends each day.
Each driver from the footplate hails My coming with delight; I gain from all upon the rails; A welcome ever bright; I share the perils of the line With mates from end to end, Who would not for a silver mine Have harm befall their friend
Let other dogs snarl and fight, And round the city prowl, Or render hideous the night With unmelodious howl. I have a cheery bark for all, No ties my travels clog; I hear the whistle, that's the call For Bob, the driver's dog.
Collar
Bob's collar on display at NRM Adelaide
Bob was provided with a collar bought by a commercial traveller[14] who had taken a fancy to him after he had been "dognapped" by a farmer.[16] In addition to two tags, two brass plates were rivetted to the collar itself. They were inscribed with:
Stop me not, but let me jog, For I am Bob, the drivers dog
and;
Presented by McLean Bros & Ricc
It was reported that the brass plate was made by "a brass worker in the service".[18] It has been suggested that the couplet was written by Ferry and his nephew.[6]
Parker also notes that the railwaymen in Terowie had always maintained his registration after Ferry left (Ferry took up a role as Assistant Stationmaster with the WA Land Company at Mt Barker WA in 1889); he notes that "somebody hid him at Alberton, so I should not get him. I never saw him again after that".[4]
Death
It was reported that Bob died on 29 July 1895.The Advertiser[8] reported he had retired to Adelaide where he was known to dine regularly at a butcher's shop, run by a Mr. Evans, in Hindley Street, until his death at the age of 17. The Chronicle notes that after his afternoon tea, Bob was "heard to bark at a passing dog, and then with a pitiful howl dropped dead".[19] He was eulogized around the world, as far away as Great Britain, and was lauded as "the king of outcasts".[20]
Bob is remembered today by railway workers and historians alike. His collar is on display in the National Railway Museum, Port Adelaide, along with photographs and other artifacts.
In 2009, the local community of Peterborough, as Petersburg is now known, raised funds for a statue of Bob. This was unveiled in November, and it is at the eastern end of Main Street.[21][22]
Bob is commemorated in Terowie via a series of information boards, labelled "Bob the Railway Dog Trail", at various points of interest in the town.
Bob's Trail – Terowie SA
Bob's story has been romanticised in a fictional work published in 2011.[23][24]
Other "Bobs"
Patsy Adam-Smith suggested that the couplet on Bob's collar may not be unique. She notes that correspondence in an "Adelaide paper" recalled seeing an 18th-century book which described a dog working with a fire brigade.[25] The picture notes a similar couplet, "Stop me not but onward let me jog, for I am Bob, the London Firemans Dog."[14]
A poem relating to Bob the Firemens Dog, published in a New Zealand newspaper in 1877, gives some credence to the story.[26]
There was also Bob, Her Majesty's Scots Fusilier Guards Dog,[25] and Greyfriars Bobby of Scotland, also immortalised in bronze.
Bobbie the Wonder Dog was heralded for his loyalty in a trek of 2,551 miles (4,105km) to return to his master's home.[27]
↑ Authorship of the poem has been claimed by T. B. Oliver (Thomas Benjamin Oliver, died 1934) of Queenstown, who attributes the photograph on the card mentioned in the reference above, to one Robert Maelor,[17] presumably Robert James Marlor (died 1919). The Children's Hour referred to was an Education Department publication.
Related Research Articles
Peterborough is a town in the mid north of South Australia, in wheat country, just off the Barrier Highway. It was originally named Petersburg after the landowner, Peter Doecke, who sold land to create the town. It was one of 69 places in South Australia renamed in 1917 due to anti-German sentiments during World War I.
Terowie is a small town in the Mid North region of South Australia located 220 kilometres (137 mi) north of the state capital of Adelaide. It is located in the Regional Council of Goyder. Terowie retains a number of authentic and well preserved 1880s buildings, and has been declared a "historic town". It also remains a town of interest to those interested in rail history. Although now a very small town with few facilities, Terowie remains a popular destination for photographers, historians, and rail buffs.
The first railway in colonial South Australia was a line from the port of Goolwa on the River Murray to an ocean harbour at Port Elliot, which first operated in December 1853, before its completion in May 1854.
Cockburn is a town and locality in the east of the Australian state of South Australia immediately adjacent to the border with New South Wales near Broken Hill. It was established because the New South Wales government refused to allow locomotives of the South Australian Railways to operate in its jurisdiction, requiring locomotives to be changed at the town for 84 years until 1970, when the route was converted from 1067 mm to 1435 mm standard gauge.
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Southern & Silverton Rail was an Australian rail operator founded in 1886 as the Silverton Tramway Company. The company operated the 1067 mm Silverton Tramway, conveying silver-lead-zinc concentrates 58 kilometres from Broken Hill to the South Australian border. In 1970, its main line was bypassed by the newly standardised, government-funded line from Broken Hill to Port Pirie. It then diversified to operating hook-and-pull services and in the mid-1990s rebranded to Silverton Rail. In 2006, it was purchased by South Spur Rail Services and rebranded again as Southern & Silverton Rail, before both entities were sold to Coote Industrial. In June 2010 it was sold to Qube Logistics and absorbed into that brand.
Owney, was a terrier mix adopted in the United States as a postal mascot by the Albany, New York, post office about 1888. The Albany mail professionals recommended the dog to their Railway Mail Service colleagues, and he became a nationwide mascot for nine years (1888–1897). He traveled over 140,000 miles throughout the 48 contiguous United States and around the world as a mascot of the Railway Post Office and the United States Postal Service. He was the subject of commemorative activities, including a 2011 U.S. postage stamp.
The Silverton Tramway was a 58-kilometre-long 1,067 mm railway line running from Cockburn on the South Australian state border to Broken Hill in New South Wales. Operating between 1888 and 1970, it served the mines in Broken Hill, and formed the link between the 1,435 mmstandard gauge New South Wales Government Railways and the narrow gauge South Australian Railways lines. It was owned and operated by the Silverton Tramway Company (STC).
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Sir John Newlands, also known as John Newland, was a Scottish-born Australian politician.
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Peterborough railway station is located on the Crystal Brook-Broken Hill line in Peterborough, South Australia.
Terowie railway station was located on the Roseworthy–Peterborough line in the South Australian town of Terowie.
The Times and Northern Advertiser was a weekly newspaper published in Peterborough, South Australia from August 1887 to 1970.
The Silverton Tramway Y class was a class of 2-6-0 and 2-6-2T steam locomotives of the Silverton Tramway Company, operating between Broken Hill, New South Wales, and the border of South Australia.
The District Council of Yongala was a local government area in South Australia from 1883 to 1935, seated at Yongala.
The two locomotives comprising the South Australian Railways J class were the only steam locomotives with a 0-6-0 wheel arrangement ever operated by the railway. They went into service in August 1875 and were condemned more than five decades later, in 1932 and 1934.
The District Council of Terowie was a local government area in South Australia from 1888 to 1935, centring on the town of Terowie.
Four South Australian Railways L class broad-gauge locomotives with a 4-4-0 wheel arrangement were built by Beyer, Peacock and Company in 1879 and entered service in March–April 1880. They were condemned in 1928 and 1931, and were subsequently scrapped.
References
↑ Manning, Geoffrey H. (1990). Manning's Place Names of South Australia. OCLC25016107.
1 2 "General News". The Southern Argus. 22 August 1895. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
1 2 3 Roberts, L. E. (1995). Rails to wealth: A History of the Silverton Tramway Company Limited, Broken Hill's Railway Service. Melbourne: L.E. Roberts. ISBN0-646-26587-3.
Fenton, Corinne; Mclean, Andrew, Illustrator (8 November 2016). Bob the Railway Dog: The True Story of an Adventurous Dog (Hardcover). United States: Candlewick Press. ISBN9780763680978.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
Parker, Olwyn M. (2014). The Railway Dog: The True Story of an Australian Outback Dog (Paperback). Australia: Brolga Publishing. ISBN9781922175397.
Wilson, John (2019) [2016]. Bob's Railway: turbulent political times in South Australia and a remarkable railroading dog. John Wilson and Sarlines Railway Books.
External links
Bob The Railway Dog "Knowledge Site" including all relevant history, Old Photos, who made Bob the Railway Dog Statue, newspaper clippings and information about the local area...Peterborough and surrounds
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