Presented to TSA AV Men's and Women's Breakfast, 18 May 2024 by Major Michael Ramsay
Pelorus
Jack was a Risso's dolphin that was famous for meeting and escorting ships
through a stretch of water in Cook Strait, New Zealand., a notoriously
dangerous channel used by ships travelling between Wellington and Nelson.
Pelorus
Jack was first seen around 1888 when he appeared in front of the schooner
Brindle when the ship approached French Pass, a channel located between
D'Urville Island and the South Island. When the members of the crew saw the
dolphin bobbing up and down in front of the ship, they wanted to kill him, but
the captain's wife talked them out of it. To their amazement, the dolphin then
proceeded to guide the ship through the narrow channel. And for years
thereafter, he safely guided almost every ship that came by. With rocks and
strong currents, the area is dangerous to ships, but no shipwrecks occurred
when Jack was present.
In
1904, someone aboard the SS Penguin tried to shoot Pelorus Jack with a rifle.
Despite the attempt on his life, Pelorus Jack continued to help ships.
Many
sailors and travellers saw Pelorus Jack, and he was mentioned in local
newspapers and depicted in postcards.
Jack
was last seen in April 1912
Like Jack,
We have to never weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9). For whoever loses their life
for Christ’s sake will gain eternal life (Mattew 10:39). Therefore, like Jack,
let us continue on helping others no matter what persecution we suffer for
indeed as we are faithful even unto death we will indeed receive the crown of
life.
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