Ship's cat
The Ship's cat has been a common sight on many trading and naval ships, and is a phenomenon that goes back to ancient times.
Practical use
Cats have been carried on ships for a number of reasons, the most important being that mice and rats, which would inevitably find their way aboard a ship, could cause considerable damage to ropes and woodwork. More serious was the threat they posed to the stores the ship carried. Not only could they devour the foodstuff carried to feed the crew, if the ship was carrying grain or similar as part of its cargo, then they could cause economic damage as well. Rats and mice were also sources of disease, an important consideration when the ship could be at sea for a long period of time.
Cats therefore performed a valuable service by catching mice, rats and other pests. They also have a high ability to adapt to new surroundings, and were therefore highly suitable for service on a ship. They also offered companionship and sense of home and security to sailors, who could be away from home for long periods, especially in times of war.
Early history
The domestication of cats is believed to date back some 9,500 years, and the practice of taking cats aboard boats and ships began not long after. The Ancient Egyptians took cats on board Nile boats to catch birds in the thickets along the riverbanks.[1] Cats were also carried on trading ships to control rodents, and the concept was adopted by traders from other nations. This led to the spread of cats throughout the world, with the species eventually reaching nearly all parts of the world by ship. Over the centuries their offspring developed into different breeds according to the climate in which they found themselves and the mates they took. Phoenician cargo ships are thought to have brought the first domesticated cats to Europe in about 900 BC.
Cats and superstition
Cats had long had a reputation as magical animals, and numerous myths and superstitions sprang up amongst the unusually superstitious seafaring community. They were considered to be intelligent and lucky animals, and a high level of care was directed at them to keep them happy. Sailors believed that polydactyl cats were better at catching pests, possibly connected with the suggestion that extra digits give a polydactyl cat better balance, important when at sea. In some places polydactyl cats became known as "ship's cats".
Cats were believed to have miraculous powers that could protect ships from dangerous weather. Fishermen's wives would sometimes keep black cats at home to in the hope that they would be able to use their influence to protect their husbands at sea. It was believed lucky if a cat approached a sailor on deck, but unlucky if it only came halfway and then retreated. Another popular belief was that cats could start storms through magic stored in their tails. If a ship's cat fell or was thrown overboard, it would summon a terrible storm to sink the ship. If the ship survived, it would be cursed with nine years of bad luck. Other beliefs included if a cat licked its fur against the grain it meant a hailstorm was coming; if it sneezed it meant rain; and if it was frisky it meant wind.
Some of these beliefs are rooted in reality. Cats are able to detect slight changes in the weather. Low atmospheric pressure, a common precursor of stormy weather, often makes cats nervous and restless.
Famous ship's cats
The prevalence of cats on ships has led to them being reported on by a number of famous seafarers. The outbreak of World War Two, with the spread of mass communication and the active nature of the world's navies, also led to a number of ship's cats becoming celebrities in their own right.
Trim
Trim was the ship's cat on a number of the ships of Matthew Flinders' voyages to circumnavigate and map the coastline of Australia in 1801-03. He became a favourite of the crew and was the first cat to circumnavigate Australia. He remained with Flinders until apparently being stolen and eaten by hungry slaves. A statue to Trim was later erected in his honour, and he has been the subject of a number of works of literature.
Mrs Chippy
Mrs Chippy was the ship's cat aboard Endurance, the ship used for Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition. When the ship was lost, having become trapped in pack ice, the sled dogs and Mrs Chippy had to be put down as they would not have survived the arduous journey ahead.
Convoy
Convoy was the ship's cat aboard HMS Hermione. He was so named because of the number of times he accompanied the ship on convoy escort duties. Convoy he was duly listed in the ship's book and provided with a full kit, including a tiny hammock where he would sleep. He stood by his ship to the end and was lost along with 87 of his crewmates when the Hermione was torpedoed and sunk on 16 June 1942.
Tiddles
Tiddles was the ship's cat on a number of Royal Navy aircraft carriers. He was born aboard HMS Argus, and later joined HMS Victorious. He was often seen at his favourite station on the after capstan, where he would play with the bell-rope. He eventually travelled over 30,000 miles during his time in service.
Uboat
Uboat was another ship's cat aboard a Royal Navy vessel of the Second World War, who would take ‘shore leave’ whenever his ship came into port. He would spend days on shore, usually only returning just before his ship sailed. One day, U-Boat failed to make roll call and his ship was forced to sail. As she pulled away from the quay, Uboat was spotted running down the dock after the departing ship. He made a death-defying leap onto the ship and succeeded in making it aboard. He was reported to be unfazed by his experience, proceeding to wash himself on deck. The crew were apparently delighted their good luck charm had returned.
Peebles
Peebles was the ship's cat aboard HMS Western Isles. Another cat who became a favourite of the ship's crew, he was known to be particularly intelligent, and would shake the hands of strangers when they entered the wardroom.
Blackie
Blackie was HMS Prince of Wales's ship's cat. He achieved worldwide fame after the Prince of Wales carried the Prime Minister Winston Churchill across the Atlantic to NS Argentia, Newfoundland, where he secretly met with the US President Franklin D. Roosevelt for several days in a secure anchorage. This meeting resulted in the signing of the Atlantic Charter, but as Churchill prepared to step off the Prince of Wales, Blackie approached, either to wish him well or to go aboard the USS Augusta with him. Churchill stopped to bid farewell to Blackie, and the moment was photographed and reported in the world media. In honour of the success of the visit, Blackie was renamed Churchill.[2]
Simon
Simon was perhaps the most famous ship's cat in recent times. He was the ship's cat of HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze incident. Wounded in the bombardment of the ship which killed 25 of Amethyst’s crew, including her commanding officer. He recovered and resumed his duties, killing rats and keeping up the crew's morale. He was appointed to the rank of 'Able Seacat' Simon and became a celebrity after the ship escaped the Yangtze and returned to Britain. He later succumbed to an infection and died shortly after. Tributes poured in and his obituary appeared in The Times. He was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal and buried with full naval honours.
Chibbley
Chibbley is the ship's cat aboard the tall ship Picton Castle. She was rescued from an animal shelter and has since circumnavigated the world twice. The Picton Castle’s role as a training ship means that Chibbley has been introduced to a large number of visitors, and has become a celebrity in her own right, receiving her own fan mail.[3]
Ship's cats today
The Royal Navy banned cats and other animals from its ships in 1975 on hygiene grounds. Despite this, cats are still present on many ships around the world, such as Chibbley aboard the Picton Castle.
See also
References
- Ships' Cats in War and Peace, by Val Lewis
- Wyrdology - Cats at sea
- Ship's cats