Ococock

Ococock was brought to Dundee aboard the Ravencraig whaler in October 1873. According to reports, he had been found adrift on an ice floe off Cape Kater and, owing to the condition of the ice, could not be taken back to shore but instead had to come to Dundee with the ship. In November, he was “engaged to appear” at the St Andrew’s Church bazaar at Kinnaird Hall. He held “levees in an ante-chamber, for admission to which a fee has to be paid. Yesterday, Ococock drew £8 11s 6d.” By Monday, the Bazaar Committee felt compelled to state, due to some criticism, that they had not asked Ococock to appear and did not make money from him: “we allowed him to be present as a matter of charity to him, and every penny that has been drawn to him – and which amounted to £23 0s 6d – will be deposited in the Savings Bank by the Bazaar Treasure on Monday morning for his support during the winter months; and we give that sum along with our best wishes for his welfare.” (That amount would be roughly equivalent to £1450 today.) In the spring of 1874, Ococock left Dundee on the Active to return to his homeland but he unfortunately died on the journey back.

“Arrival of the Ravenscraig,” Dundee Courier, 18 October 1873, 3; “St Andrew’s Church Bazaar,” Dundee Courier, 1 November 1873, 3; “St Andrew’s Church Bazaar,” Dundee Courier, 3 November 1873, 2; “Arrival of the Active, Death of Ococock,” Dundee Courier, 7 September 1874, 3. Currency converted using the National Archives Currency Converter: https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/#.