What does the Newfoundland do as a ship dog?
According to This is the Newfoundland, by Mrs. Maynard K. Drury: “The useful work of the Newfoundland for man at sea was so internationally recognized during the era of the sailing ship that reports of their enterprises come from many countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Mediterranean Sea. His powerful swimming ability plus his docility and intelligence were great assets to any ship’s company, and it became customary to take at least one web-footed Newfoundland on voyages as a ‘ship dog.’ The specific service he rendered was to swim ashore with a line, thus establishing communication with help on land. Untold numbers of lives were saved because of the swimming help of the ‘ship dog’ and his ability to find footing on rough rocks in a heavy sea where the best of watermen might not survive. In less rough water he could also haul a small boat ashore by its painter.” “In Holland, France, Italy, England and the United States are early records of the Newfoundland in h
