Pelorus Jack (1974)

Title: Pelorus Jack Genre: March Composer: Alexander Owen Band: Besses o' th' Barn Conductor: Frank Bryce Compere: Elgar Howarth TV Show: Sounding Brass Year: 1974 Famous March written by Alexander Owen during the Besses first World Tour 1906/1907 whilst in New Zealand “Pelorus Jack” - the Bass Section has to play more than most Cornet Sections normally are expected to play Alexander Owen composed Pelorus Jack during the Besses Second World Tour whilst on the train between Rotorua & Auckland Alex included the sound of a ringing bell, when inspired by the Bell which was used on the train to announce: “Lunch is ready” “Pelorus Jack” was the legendary Dolphin that accompanied ships safely to Port through the hazardous waters of the Pelorus Sounds. The sea lane in New Zealand known as the Cook Strait is reputedly a very dangerous place. It is between the North & South Island & is one of the Worlds most tumultuous sea lanes. Ships had to fight with shoals, treacherous currents, underwater rocks, wild water eddies &, over time, the sea swallowed many ships here. But, in 1888, Pelorus Jack appeared & no ship that he accompanied ever suffered damage. Pelorus Jack was a dolphin! A 13 feet long Rissos dolphin. He was white with grey stripes and had a round, white head. Very few of this species of dolphin had been seen in this area before. The schooner Brindle, which had just crossed the French Pass was the first to have seen Jack. He was then seen more often, as he accompanied ships for around 20 minutes until they were safe. Jack quickly became known among the sailors and the local people. He became their patron saint. At the beach of Wellington there is a statue with the enumerations of Jack’s tremendous achievements. Jack was escorting the passenger steamer Penguin in 1903, when a drunken Passenger shot at him with his rifle and wounded him on the dorsal fin. The crew of the steamer had to be prevented by force not to lynch the shooter. It was feared that Jack had been killed when he didn’t show up for the next two weeks. Fortunately, he recovered himself, But he never accompanied the steamer Penguin again. The steamer sank in 1909, after it ran aground on a submerged rock. 72 passengers died & it was the heaviest maritime disaster in New Zealand in the 20th Century After the assassination attempt of Jack, New Zealand adopted the Sea Fisheries Act on 26 September 1904. This put Pelorus Jack under the protection of the Law. Jack was last seen in 1912. A Scottish National Dance was named after Pelorus Jack. The Shipping company Interislander uses an image of Jack in its Logo. Alexander Owen dedicated his March written for Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, whilst on Tour in 1910, to the amazing Jack. Besses o' th' Barn Band Unique Marches (Composed for or dedicated to Besses) Around the World Pelorus Jack Besses Whitefield Besses o’ th’ Barn