St. Michaels in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

By Devry Becker Jones, August 24, 2019

1. From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

While sailing home from England in 1807, George Law, a member of a prominent Maryland family, rescued Newfoundland puppies from sinking British ship and brought them home to the Chesapeake Bay. The puppies—named Sailor and Canton (the name of Law's ship)—mated with local dogs and established a new breed, the Chesapeake Bay retriever.

For waterfowling, Chesapeake Bay retrievers have no equal. They are able to plunge repeatedly into freezing water, their oily double coats keeping their skin dry.

The cast iron dog, manufactured by the Baltimore foundry Hayward, Bartlett & Company, was made in memory of the shipwrecked puppies, Sailor and Canton. Dozens of these iron dogs were made as lawn ornaments, and this one long stood guard outside a waterfront house just a few miles outside of St. Michaels.

Erected by Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Arts, Letters, Music • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 38° 47.263′ N, 76°

By Devry Becker Jones, August 24, 2019

2. From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs Marker

13.221′ W. Marker is in St. Michaels, Maryland, in Talbot County. Marker is on Mill Street just east of Burns Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 213 North Talbot Street, Saint Michaels MD 21663, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spat, Miniature Skipjack (here, next to this marker); Fishing Shanty / Ark (within shouting distance of this marker); Kennedy M. Fitzgerald (within shouting distance of this marker); Lost Overboard (within shouting distance of this marker); Winnie Estelle (within shouting distance of this marker); A Mighty Pull (within shouting distance of this marker); For Whom the Bell Tolls (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Michaels Packing Company Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Michaels.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 74 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.