Hurricane Giraffes: San Diego's First Giraffes

In 1938, the merchant steamer SS Robin Goodfellow was caught in the Great New England Hurricane. On board the ship were some unique passengers: two Giraffes. Those Giraffes, caught in a storm that killed hundreds of people, were en route to San Diego, California, and the storm was only the beginning of their cross-country journey.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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Script by JCG

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[karlmann]

Love these little tidbits and oddities of history that one would never learn anywhere else. ❤️

[grflyerfan]

Fascinating story! It's rather difficult to transport giraffes due to their unique anatomy. My daughter is a veterinarian, and did an internship at the Philadelphia Zoo one summer. She learned a great deal on that subject.

[MrScott]

With all the damage that the Long Island Express, as the Hurricane of '38 was dubbed, an interesting story of survival on the ocean and then a trip across the country to go to the San Diego Zoo. These two Giraffes deserved to be remembered.

[claytonbouldin]

I don't know where you find your stories, sir. But they always bring a smile to my face and I always learn something along the way too.

[otpyrcralphpierre]

Even though there were no Pirates involved, Giraffta love this story.

[alkberg]

I spend two years in San Diego. My mom had the two kids while my dad was at sea. The zoo was an affordable way to spend a day, so I have many fond memories of the zoo and carousel at the entry. Maybe a show on the carousel?

[karlmahlmann]

This is always a fun trip, listening to some lost history - that shouldn't be forgotten.

[mikenixon]

So many things we take for granted when it comes to transport. Even today. Thank you for another good report.

[Alexander-frkk]

Love this channel!!! It’s nice to be able to find REAL history somewhere…

[psjz]

There is a lovely piece of historical fiction based on the adventures of these giraffes called “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. It is wonderful to hear the truth behind the story. Thank you!

[MightyMezzo]

I watched a very good PBS program about the 1938 hurricane, but this is the first I’ve heard of these two giraffes. Another great video! Thank you.

[kantemirovskayalightninga]

Nice episode Lance. It reminded me of my childhood growing up in the early 70s and going to the San Diego zoo.

[garyglenn]

With our season pass, we go to the San Diego Zoo every quarter. Awesome place and now I know how it started.

[skychief]

This was a fascinating tidbit of history. Thanks for telling us.

After the end of WWII when I was about four years old my family moved to San Diego and stayed until sometime after the Korean War.
I remember going to the zoo in San Diego on many Sunday afternoon’s with my family. I clearly remember these two giraffes there at the zoo. And because of these many family zoo outings the giraffes became my favorite African animal to see in any zoo I’ve ever visited.

[keithkearns]

What a fabulous story. Cheers from Australia.

[stevedietrich]

Joan Embery's appearances on the Tonight Show were always highlights. Interesting to hear how the San Diego zoo originated.

[Twolegger]

Would love to read articles from local news papers about the transit through their area of readership. What a unique experience.

[nopeyadayadayada]

Thank you Sir. I recall we went to that Zoo, when I was maybe 12 yrs old.... over 45 yrs ago. The thing that stands out in memory is them making a big, big deal about their Giraffes and me thinking that it was silly as I'd seen plenty of Giraffes in my short life. Your story here brings an answer I can't believe was answered. Wow.

[scruffysstash]

It's topics like this that amaze me. something seemingly so forgotten to history, is brought to life again. Excellent research History Guy!

[lairdcummings]

I've been there many times; it was - for that time - an unusually comprehensive collection, with advanced naturalistic displays.