In the beginning of the First World War, the German cruiser Dresden set out for the south Atlantic. On board was a pig, probably as a source of fresh meat during what was anticipated to be a long voyage. After the battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914, HMS Glasgow and other British ships pursued the Dresden towards the coast of Chile. When the Dresden could run no more, the crew scuttled the ship leaving the pig on board. But the pig could swim and was smart enough to head for the Glasgow. She was picked up – with difficulty due to her size, and jokingly named Tirpitz after the German admiral. She avoided becoming a meal and assumed the title of the ship’s beloved mascot. Tirpitz lived a charmed life on board before her size caused her to head ashore in 1916.
