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You are here: Home / CELEBRITY CHOWS / Admiral Dewey and his chow mascot Bob-late 1800’s

Admiral Dewey and his chow mascot Bob-late 1800’s

Admiral Dewey and Bob 1900s

Below are a series of photos I have been sitting on for quite some time waiting to pull all the clippings together into an article and it all began with this original 1917 press photo I acquired was released following Admiral Deweys death the same year.  This loyal little Chow mascot found on the streets of Canton China during Dewey’s travels, was written about often in the papers and magazines of the day (late 1800’s.)

Admiral Dewey and Bob 1900s

George Dewey (December 26, 1837 – January 16, 1917) was Admiral of the Navy, the only person in U.S. history to have attained the rank. Admiral Dewey is best known for his victory at the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

 
Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 6.31.51 PM - Version 2
A Full Cup: Sir Thomas SOURCE: Lipton's Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America's Cup
SOURCE: A Full Cup: Sir Thomas Lipton’s Extraordinary Life and His Quest for the America’s Cup
1899 Aug 2 THE SKETCH Admiral Deweys steward from our own collection
ABOVE AND BELOW IS ONE OF MY VERY PRIZED ARTICLE PHOTOS FROM 1899 OF DEWEY’S SERVANT MENTIONED IN THE ABOVE ARTICLE.  I CROPPED ‘BOB’ CLOSE TO SHOW YOU HOW EXQUISITE THIS DOG WAS.
1899 Aug 2 THE SKETCH Admiral Deweys steward from our own collection
Dewey The_Daily_Review_Mon__Sep_11__1899_
ABOVE:   1899 Artist rendering from another publication of the photograph above
Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 2.02.44 PM - Version 2

Below, I found a reprint of the original photo from the news clipping above and did some restoration work on it

These photos are priceless.  I treasure each and every one of them

Fitchburg Sentinal Sept 27, 1899
Fitchburg Sentinal Sept 27, 1899
Admiral Dewey and Bob 1899 Sketch September 24
ABOVE:  Admiral Dewey and Bob September 24, 1899
Bob Dewey Olympia collection of museum
Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 2.05.09 PM - Version 2
Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 1.21.05 PM
Admiral Dewey and Bob 1899 November 20 carriage
Pacific Monthly Publishing Company, 1902
SOURCE: Estate of Lieutenant C.J. Dutreaux
SOURCE: Estate of Lieutenant C.J. Dutreaux

BELOW IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE BOOK GEORGE DEWEY, ADMIRAL 1899 –  AUTHOR FREDERICK PALMER

Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 2.06.42 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 2.06.57 PM
Screen Shot 2014-09-26 at 2.29.38 PM

As for the end of Bobs life,  there are a couple of different versions I’ve found with variations on each.  My guess is that both are true when combined into one story.  The abuse this faithful little chow took from the crew aboard the Olympia surely led to severe injuries which could not be repaired.   I am so glad I discovered these photos and stories as I want “Bob” to always be remembered for the loyal companion he was to the Admiral.  Dewey’s history  I vaguely remembered from history class but learning about this precious dog really made the story sink in.

Screen Shot 2015-02-25 at 11.36.00 AM
NEWSCLIPPING DATED NOVEMBER 10, 1899
Admiral Dewey and Bob photograph Oct 8 1899 one month before Bob died . On Olympia in New York
Admiral Dewey and Bob photograph Oct 8 1899 one month before Bob died . On Olympia in New York

The touching article below describes the day Bob passed away which was also on the Admirals wedding day. He truly loved this chow

Article dated November 10, 1899

SOURCE: NAVY HISTORY  The Society of the Dog

Admiral Dewey had on board Olympia as his pet a badly spoiled dog. He was very fond of it and in his eyes it could do no wrong; however he was alone in that opinion and both officers and the crew, particularly the afterguard sweepers, detested the animal. The dog was smart enough to know that his enough to know that his sole protector was the Admiral and ran back to him if he had been maltreated, whenever anyone touched or made a pass in his general direction.

Several men were punished, some justly and perhaps some not quite so justly, and a quartermaster was disrated. Partly in a spirit of waggishness and born of the monotony of the blockade in Manila bay before the fall of the city the men formed a very secret organization called the “Society of the Dog.” To be an ordinary member a man had to have kicked the brute, but to become a member first class he had to have kicked him while the Admiral was on deck and could possibly have seen him do it, or had performed some other allied act of equal daring. There were very few of these.

The organization lasted as long as the dog did for one morning he turned up missing. That day a first class member was hurriedly promoted to the office of “Chief Superior Dog” and the society prudently disbanded. “Chief Superior Dog” was an afterguard sweeper.



vintage chow button chowtales

 

CLICK THE VINTAGE BUTTON FOR A CIRCA 1913  ARTICLE I FOUND ABOUT HOW ADMIRAL DEWEY’S CHOW INFLUENCED THE BREED POPULARITY IN AMERICA


TREASURE ALERT ABOVE!
Circa 1899 Leslies Weekly magazine ” DEWEY NUMBER”

In this huge publication, I spied what I was searching for and purchased the entire magazine to save this image for the archives.

Onboard the USS Olympia, Admiral Dewey’s crew are keeping busy while the Admiral’s chow mascot “Bob” looks on with great interest. This was without doubt Dewey’s heart dog and constant companion and their travels on sea and land were well documented by the press

Bob was, without doubt, the first celebrity Chow Chow on record to ignite the chow craze in America, followed by the two chows (Tim and Blackberry) that President and Grace Coolidge had in the Whitehouse.

The touching article below describes the day Bob passed away which was also on the Admirals wedding day. He truly loved this chow

Article dated November 10, 1899

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READ MORE ON THIS TOPIC IN THESE RELATED POSTS

  • 1913 ARTICLE- THE DOG THAT ADMIRAL DEWEY MADE FAMOUS WAS A CHOW
  • 1899 RARE Admiral Dewey and his chow Bob in rare Leslies Weekly Illustrated publication

I do my best to be as accurate as possible in my research, however many times written history finds a way to "morph" over time. I love your comments and appreciate all feedback, additions and corrections my readers have to offer to help make this a well rounded and accurate archive.

All research, images and content in this website are Copyright © 2011-2022 Sandra Miller at ChowTales.com except where noted. Use of materials from this site for educational purposes may be obtained by contacting Sandra Miller by email studio at sandramiller.com


Comments

  1. Rosemaryanne Mills says

    March 2, 2015 at 7:47 pm

    wonderful articles and so interesting as portrays a chow’s preference towards its’ owner.

    Reply
  2. alphabitch says

    March 2, 2015 at 8:20 pm

    Thank you so much Rosemary! I’m so happy you stopped in to read the article on Admiral Dewey. I have more to add doon regarding “Bob” and his antics on the ship. History becomes very interesting anytime there is a chow involved..LOL

    Reply
  3. Eamon says

    November 24, 2015 at 6:20 am

    Love the pictures of admiral Dewey’s dog bob
    And poignant story
    Would love get get a copy of one of those pictures and frame it in a place of honor in my house
    Is that possible
    Eamon

    Reply
  4. Ricky says

    February 18, 2024 at 3:11 am

    Thanks, lovely and learn about the breed

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 1899 RARE Admiral Dewey and his chow Bob in rare Leslies Weekly Illustrated publication - ChowTales says:
    January 6, 2021 at 10:30 am

    […] I have an extensive collection of Admiral Dewey and Bob photos and articles on ChowTales with a large part of the collection being at this link.  SEE MORE […]

    Reply

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