St. Michaels in Talbot County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019
1. From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs Marker
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 puppiesnamed 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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. 38° 47.263′ N, 76° 13.221′ W. Marker is in St. Michaels, Maryland, in Talbot County. It
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore. It is also in the American Mid-Atlantic, on the Delmarva Peninsula, in the Tidewater, in the Chesapeake Bay Region, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Spat, Miniature Skipjack (here, next to this marker); The Waterfowling Building (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
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), August 24, 2019
2. From Shipwrecked Puppies to Iron Dogs Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 812 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
