Belief in lycanthropy, the power possessed by human beings for changing themselves into wolves or other animals, flourished strongly in classic and medieval times. It is not so long ago that it was found among the fishermen of Lowestoft…

Ness Point, Lowestoft.

The story goes that a rich Italian gentleman of "foreign looks and dark complexion" became fond of a poor Lowestoft fisher boy. He asked him to become his page, but the lad refused.

The Italian then asked him if he would take care of his dog as he was shortly going away on a long journey. This the boy agreed to, and the dog, a fine, black curly-coated retriever, became his inseparable companion.

These dogs were very commonly kept by the fishermen who spent the winter months in wild-fowling, when the dogs were of great use.

One morning the boy, who was about 14 years old, following his usual custom, went for a swim in the sea, the dog accompanying him. After swimming out somewhat further than usual his surprise and terror can be imagined when the dog resented his returning to shore.

With menacing growls and snaps at his heels the dog urged the now panic-stricken boy to swim further and further out to sea. At last the boy glanced back and saw the face of the dog apparently transformed into the dark saturnine face of the Italian gentleman and now close beside him! The change was only momentary, however, for on looking round again he saw that the dog had resumed its old form. Further and further out to sea it drove him.

By this time the boy had become almost exhausted, so that it was fortunate for him that he was able to attract the attention of the crew of a passing fishing smack. They came to his rescue and hauled him on board, his neck and shoulders still bleeding from the dog attack.

They listened to his tale with much wonder, and as for the dog it was seen to suddenly dive and reappear some distance away, swimming rapidly out to sea. The dog is not mentioned again in this story, and although we are not to know what becomes of it, it presumably swam far away out to sea never to be heard of again.

As was natural the affair became a nine days wonder in the district. It gained in mystery when it was recalled that many boys of about that age had been found drowned off the Ness Point. A few years previously the body of a boy had been found washed up on the shore with the marks of a dog's teeth plainly visible on the neck and shoulders. Until then it had always been ascribed to the effort of some noble animal to save life.

LOCATION

THE TALE OF BLACK SHUCK