1830s: The Penguin that Hunted Whales
May 14, 2020
By AHNZ
When little blue penguins showed themselves in a Wellington sushi shop last year it was no great surprise to the historian¹. Back in the 1830s, French Whalers were paid a similar visit…
“This sociability of the penguin, often remarked upon by naturalists, is of general notoriety among sailors,” according to Dr Felix Maynard’s journal.
“Department of Conservation rangers are on high alert for ‘penguin call-outs’ after they’ve been spotted waddling around Wellington.”- rnz.co.nz
Maynard goes on to say that their guest was given a name and added to the ship’s roll as a member of the whale-hunting crew…
“…and when nearing New Zealand a penguin is got aboard. It at once makes itself at home, visits the galley, recognises the signals for meals, and acts generally as if it were a reincarnated whaler, so that it becomes one of the crew, is placed on the ship’s roll as from March 17th under the name of Fantassin, and becomes the theme of a narrative as interesting as any indulged in..”
So it was in 1830s New Zealand as it is today!
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Ref. The Whalers. By F. Maynard and Alexandre Dumas; Translated by F.W. Reed (1937)
1 Ref. Little blue penguins take up residence below Wellington sushi shop; One News
Ref. also Pompey the Penguin, 1914; NZH&H
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