Frankie (JPA)

Frankie was a juvenile male Atlantic bottlenose dolphin that lived at the John's Pass Aquarium. He was captured on the 17th of July, 1953 on Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida, United States, and died on the 16th of November, 1953, likely a result from the death of another cetacean.

## Capture

### Location of Capture

Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida, United States

## Death

### Cause of Death

Unknown, though likely linked to Johnny's death

## Transfer History

### Transfer #1

Spring, 1953 - Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida, United States to John's Pass Aquarium

## John's Pass Aquarium

On the 17th of July, 1953, Frankie became trapped in a mullet net on Pass-a-Grille Beach, Florida, United States. Unfortunately, he had been left in the sun too long by his captors, which resulted in him being blind in one eye. Upon his arrival, Frankie had refused food from multiple people.

The following month, a separate male named Johnny was captured in August of 1953. Two days after they were paired together, Johnny began to viciously attack Frankie. Hurlbut called police, and Johnny was killed from gunshot wounds to the head, all while Frankie witnessed the event, as there was only one pool.

Months later, in the fall, Jack Hurlbut, the owner of the facility, issued a statement saying that he would pay $100 for a single living cetacean as a companion for Frankie. While a cetacean was caught on the 2nd of October, they died trying to resist their capture.

## Death

Following the death of Johnny, Frankie stopped eating. On the morning of the 16th of November, 1953, Frankie died, and his death is believed to be connected to Johnny's death. Later that day at noon, his body was brought out to the Gulf of Mexico as a burial. Four months later, a separate cetacean was captured and named "Frankie II" in his honor. Frankie was described as a very friendly dolphin and a favorite among photographers, giving him the name "the personality porpoise."

## Gallery

**If you are going to use any of these photos, please credit the photographer and/or the provider.**

**Photo provided by Bill DeYoung.**

**Postcard artwork provided by A Date in Time.**

**Photo by Jack Ramsdell, provided by Katerina Studios.**

**Photo by John E. Evans, provided by Katerina Studios.**

## Sources

1. ↑ “St. Petersburg Times.” *Google Books*, St. Petersburg Times, books.google.com/books?id=y59aAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA30#v=onepage&q&f=false. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 “St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search.” *News.google.com.my*, news.google.com.my/newspapers?nid=feST4K8J0scC&dat=19531117&printsec=frontpage&hl=en. Accessed 9 Oct. 2023.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 DeYoung, Bill. “Vintage St. Pete: Paddy the Porpoise and the Marine Arena - St Pete Catalyst.” *St Pete Catalyst - Your Seat at the Table*, 24 Aug. 2020, stpetecatalyst.com/vintage-st-pete-paddy-the-porpoise-and-the-marine-arena/.
4. ↑ “St. Petersburg Times - Google News Archive Search.” *News.google.com*, news.google.com/newspapers?nid=feST4K8J0scC&dat=19531002&printsec=frontpage&hl=en. Accessed 6 Oct. 2023. ‌
5. ↑ “Sunday Independent.” *Google Books*, Sunday Independent, books.google.com/books?id=Q2xIAAAAIBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs\_ge\_summary\_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false. Accessed 9 Oct. 2023.
6. ↑ “St. Petersburg Times.” *Google Books*, St. Petersburg Times, books.google.com/books?id=20BSAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA24. Accessed 13 Oct. 2023.