Just Nuisance: A Dog's Life at Sea

Just Nuisance was a Great Dane who served as a mascot for the Royal Navy's HMS Defiance during World War II.

He was a gentle giant, standing at an impressive 7 feet 1 inch tall and weighing over 200 pounds.

Just Nuisance was known for his love of the sea and his ability to calm the nerves of sailors.

He was a popular figure on the ship, and his presence was a welcome distraction from the stresses of war.

Just Nuisance's time on the HMS Defiance was marked by his bravery and loyalty, and he became a beloved member of the crew.

Just Nuisance's early life and naval career are quite the story. He was issued a certificate of service upon entering the Navy, with 'Nuisance' as his surname and 'Just' as his given name.

Just Nuisance's trade was listed as 'bone-crusher', and his religious denomination as 'scrounger', which is quite an uncharitable label. His naval career was quite unique, as he never ventured out to sea.

He carried out several roles ashore, including accompanying sailors on train journeys and participating in promotional events. One notable instance was his 'marriage' to another Great Dane, Adinda, which helped raise proceeds for the war effort.

Despite his popularity, Just Nuisance wasn't always on his best behavior. His conduct sheet highlights several offenses, including traveling without a ticket and sleeping in an improper place.

Just Nuisance was born on 1 April 1937. He was adopted by Benjamin Chaney, who would later be in charge of the United Services Institute in Simon's Town.

Nuisance quickly showed that he wouldn't be a conventional pet, as he figured out how to get into the kitchen and help himself to food. He was a clever dog.

The first night Nuisance was in Chaney's home, he demonstrated his independence by getting into the kitchen and eating two pounds of mutton. This incident showed Chaney that he was dealing with a very special dog.

Broaden your view: Dog Ate Just One Bite Rat Poison

Nuisance's interactions with naval ratings at the institute helped him learn that sailors in uniform were his friends. He would often play with them and receive food from them.

Nuisance soon learned that sailors would take trains from Simon's Town to Cape Town at certain times of the day. He would then catch these trains, often getting ejected by railway officials.

Just Nuisance's naval career was a unique experience, to say the least. He was issued a certificate of service, with 'Just' as his forename and 'Nuisance' as his surname, and his trade listed as 'bone-crusher'.

Nuisance never ventured out to sea, but he carried out several roles ashore, including accompanying sailors on train journeys. He was known to wake up his traveling companions to ensure they didn't miss their stop.

One notable instance was when he traveled 17 miles out of Cape Town to Belville to ensure the safe journey of one sailor. He even participated in promotional events, such as his "marriage" to another Great Dane, Adinda, for which proceeds were used to assist the war effort.

Just Nuisance was anecdotally fiercely patriotic, and as soon as the national anthem began to play, he would rise to his feet immediately, barking along in time to the music.

In the Royal Navy, an Able Seaman is a junior rating who has completed their basic training and has some experience under their belt. They're responsible for performing a variety of tasks on board.

Able Seamen can be found in all sorts of roles, from deckhands to maintenance crew. They're often the ones who keep the ship running smoothly.

One of the key skills of an Able Seaman is their ability to work at heights. They need to be comfortable climbing ladders and working on high decks.