Kitties on the High Seas
Sometimes you might by chance notice cats gazing into a fish tank. They fool you by making you think they are fascinated by the fish, but what if there is something deeper to it than that. Maybe they are really regarding the ornamental shipwreck at the bottom of the tank. Perhaps they recall some of the names and deeds of their ancient kin. Famous ships’ cats - like Bo’sun, or Tom, or how about Unsinkable Sam or Blackie? They wax nostalgic over a time that has since passed. A time when kitties had exciting jobs on the high seas. A time when they could potentially be more than just any cat, but if they passed the rite of passage they could earn the title and prestigious
position of the Ship’s Cat.

Old Kitty Profession
Despite a lack of recognition of cats’ valuable service fighting rats aboard ships, generation after generation of felines continued to loyally provide help. The crew of the Alexander in 1831 was having the ship fumigated for rats. The task was complete, and they thought the ship was safe enough to stay onboard. They went to bed on the ship. The following day sailors from a neighboring ship found them dead in the cabin with the ship’s cat next to them. The ship’s cat died, loyally staying by his comrades to the very end.

Gaining Reputation
In the 1860s, newspapers started acknowledging kitties for their valuable contributions to the well being of the ships and the cargo. Cats played an important role in the defense of a ship regarding the insurance of the cargo from rat damage. If the merchant could prove the ship was unfurnished with a feline defender, he could claim damages against the ship master. The case of the clipper ship Claramont in April 1863 is a prime example of kitties used in the defense of a ship. In fact not only did the Claramont have a ship’s cat, but she had three cats onboard. The case also revealed that some ship owners never fumigated their ships but preferred to use cats and hired human rat catchers instead.