BOB Multi-Cache

Bob was originally owned by the publican of the Macclesfield Hotel, but when he was a young dog, he became friendly with the railway workers who were building the railway near Strathalbyn. At the age of 9 months he disappeared, and re-appeared on the scene when he was consigned from Adelaide with 50 other dogs to Quorn to exterminate rabbits near Carrieton. It seems in 1884 he was swapped for another dog, and ended up with William Ferry, who was at the time working as a Special Guard at Petersburg (Peterborough).

The year after , William was promoted to Assistant Station Manager, and by this time Bob was well used to travelling on trains. He often sat in the front of the coal space in the locomotive tender, and the Petersburg Times reported "His favourite place on a Yankee engine, the big whistle and belching smokestack seemed to have an irresistible attraction for him….he lived on the fat of the land, and was not particular from whom he accepted his dinner"

He did not like the cramped cabs of suburban engines, but was known to clear out third class compartments for his sole use by "vigorously barking at all stations, usually succeeding in convincing intending passengers that the coach had been reserved of his special benefit". "His bark was robust and often caused strangers to believe that he was being aggressive when he really intended to be friendly" (The Advertiser 5 Feb 1935).

Bob's career was not without accidents. It took him a while to refine his skills when jumping up onto or from one loco to another, even when it was moving. On one occasion when travelling between Manoora and Saddleworth he fell from an engine, and managed to walk with an injured leg 2 miles to Saddleworth. Other mishaps include getting his tail jammed, losing an inch off his tail after slipping off, and his coat catching fire. One story reports that during one of his visits to Port Augusta he caught a steamship to Port Pirie, confusing the ship’s whistle with that of a locomotive.

The following poem was published in the Advertiser on 17 August 1895:

Home-keeping dogs have homely wits,
Their notions tame and poor;
I scorn the dog who humbly sits
Before the cottage door,
Or those who weary vigils keep,
Or follow lovely kine;
A dreary life midst stupid sheep
Shall ne'er be lot of mine.

For free from thrall I travel far,
No fixed abode I own;
I leap aboard a railway car;
By every one I' know;
Today I am here, tomorrow brings
Me miles and miles away;Borne swiftly on steams rushing wings,
I see fresh friends each day.

Each Driver from the footplate hales
My coming with delight;
I gain from all upon the rails;
A welcome ever bright;
I share the perils of the line
with mates from end to end,
Who would not for a silver mine
Have harm befall their friend

Let other dogs snarl and fight,
And round the city prowl,
Or render hideous the night
With unmelodious howl.
I have a cheery bark for all,
No ties my travels clog;
I hear the whistle, that's the call
For Bob, the driver's dog

.

The Advertiser newspaper reported that Bob died on 29 July 1895, aged 17, however this age differs to that recorded on his statue. He had retired to Adelaide where he was known to dine regularly at a butchers shop in Hindley Street. It seems that after his afternoon tea, he barked at a passing dog and with a pitiful howl, dropped dead.

Other records indicate that Bob lived out his days on the Silverton Tramway Company which connected Broken Hill to the SA Railways and Petersburg.

After his death, his body was preserved and displayed at the Exchange Hotel in Adelaide. His collar (which had been provided by a commercial traveller who had taken a fancy to him) was initially given to the Lord Mayor of Adelaide but was later passed on to the Australian Federated Union of Locomotive Enginemen. It is now displayed at the National Railway Museum at Port Adelaide.

To find this cache you will need information from the plaque on the statue.

We hope you have enjoyed the story of Bob, the amazing Railway Dog.