Cats in the Sea Services
Sailors and cats have a special relationship that dates back thousands of years. It is likely that the ancient Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize the true value of having cats as shipmates. In addition to offering sailors much needed companionship on long voyages, cats provided protection by ridding ships of vermin. Without the presence of cats, a crew might find their ship overrun with rats and mice that would eat into the provisions, chew through ropes and spread disease. The more superstitious sailors believed that cats protected them by bringing good luck. It was also common for crews to adopt cats from the foreign lands they visited to serve as souvenirs as well as reminders of their pets at home.
Apprentices aboard the USS Pensacola pose with mascot cat and dogs in February 1888. The Pensacola was a screw steamer that participated in Admiral David Farragut's capture of New Orleans in 1862.
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Crew of the USS Nahant with their two cats, ca 1898. The Nahant was an ironclad monitor that joined the fleet of Rear Admiral Samual Francis du Pont (for whom Washington, DC's Dupont Circle in named) in the attack on Charleston Harbor in 1863.
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Crewmen on the deck of the USS Olympia using a mirror to play with their cats in 1898. The Olympia served as Admiral George Dewey's flagship at the Battle of Manila during the Spanish American War. The Olympia currently is docked in Philadelphia and is the world's oldest floating steel warship, but is in desperate need of restoration
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Crewman of the USS Texas pose with mascot dog and cat on the muzzle of one of the ship's 12"/35 guns, ca 1900. Built in 1892, The Texas was the first U.S. battleship and gained a reputation for being jinxed because of a series of accidents. The crew probably hoped the cat and dog would change the ship's luck.
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"You may fire when ready, Muffin." Two cats pose in the breech of a 4" caliber naval gun of an unidentified ship prior to World War One.
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"I'll be in my bunk." The cats of the USS Mississippi climb ladders to enter their hammock, ca 1925. The Mississippi was involved in several fierce battles in the Pacific during World War Two and was hit by kamikazes twice. It survived to be among the ships in Tokyo Bay that witnessed Japan's surrender.
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"Do not want!" USS Flusser cat 'Wockle' on the capstan in Venice, Italy, 1924-25.
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"Waiting instructions in the briefing room, pilots on a US Navy aircraft carrier relax by playing with the ship's mascot. Shortly after this picture was taken they were flying far above the Atlantic on a battle-mission." Probably the USS Ranger, July 1944
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"Why don't you leave me alone so I can get some shut eye?" New mascot 'Saipan' of the USS New Mexico tries to get comfortable. The New Mexico provided support during the U.S. Marine invasion of Saipan in 1944, so it it likely the cat was rescued after the battle.
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"After the smoke of battle had cleared on Betio Island, Tarawa, this tiny kitten crept out from beneath a wrecked Japanese tank, to receive a drink from a U.S. Marine." Tawara Invasion, November 1943
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"Here is 'Bilgewater', the mascot of the Coast Guard Academy, circa 1944. He's modeling the new wartime grey cadet uniform."
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"War Veteran - 'Pooli', who rates three service ribbons and four battle stars, shows she can still get into her old uniform as she prepares to celebrate her 15th birthday. The cat served aboard an attack transport during World War II." Los Angeles, 1959
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"I demand your terms of surrender!" French sailors play with a cat as they wait to take over six LSSLs (Landing Ship Support, Light) being given to France by the US Navy under the defense aid pact. Seattle, 1950
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"Accepting her fate as an orphan of war, 'Miss Hap' a two-week old Korean kitten chows down on canned milk, piped to her by medicine dropper with the help of Marine Sergeant Frank Praytor ... The Marine adopted the kitten after its mother was killed by a mortar barrage near Bunker Hill. The name, Miss Hap, Sergeant Praytor explained, was given to the kitten 'because she was born at the wrong place at the wrong time'." Korea, ca 1953
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USS Olympia
I’m currently waiting for a model of the USS Olympia to arrive and, when it does, will definitely recreate the scene where the sailors are using a mirror to play with a kitten on deck.
While I can purchase models of the sailors and can use tin foil to reproduce the mirror, I’ll likely end up making the cat out of clay…
I hope it’s a fitting tribute…
Congrats!
Your animals photos are awesome! Congratulations! In that photos we can see all the best of the humankind, brotherhood, love and responsibility! My best wishes and let the tradition continues! Does the Navy have kittens and puppies in their boats now? Greetings from Chile, all the best!
This is a wonderful tribute
This is a wonderful tribute to the cats who accompanied humans into battle or were saved by members of the Navy. Thank you for compiling it.
Patriotic Pussies: The History of Milcats in the US Military
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!
In the wake of the taking out of Osama Bin Laden, by the Navy Seals, and the apparent contribution by a Canine to the success of the mission, a lot of misguided Humans have taken it upon themselves to ridicule the fighting prowess of, and call into question the patriotism of, Pussydom Assembled.
This made me very angry.
So much so that I wrote a blog post in response, that few Humans thought worthy of taking notice of, including most of those whom I chastised.
Your great story gave me fresh, valuable, ammunition, to fire back at the naysayers, and I am most grateful.
My 2 posts can be found by following the link in my name.
Links to anymore such stories, from other service branches, can be sent to my e-mail.
Please keep spreading the word!
Never forget!
Amazing Men!
The men & women fighting for our country throughout the generations, are truly amazing! They are tough, strong, fearless and soft-hearted all at the same time. Makes you proud to be an American!
Cats and Dogs
Yes, my 3 dogs (Fred, Barney and Sarita) play pretty good with Rock (the most precious cat ) in my home. Every one who likes cat does like dog, but the inverse it', s not true... BUT I DO LOVE BOTH...
Sao Paulo-brazil
Navy cats
Think: rats & mice aboard ship...it's good to have a cat!
Love the photos.. the last
Love the photos.. the last photo is really touching
Animals In War
Beautiful pictures.....thank you! Reminded me of the Animals In War Memorial in London: http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/featuring/war03.html There is a cat, Simon, who "served" in the British Navy, and you can see him in one of the pictures of the relief. I've been there, and it is a very touching monument. There's a line on it that gets me every time: They had no choice. Here's another link: http://www.animalsinwar.org.uk/index.cfm?asset_id=1373 If you ever get the chance, it's worth the visit.
Cats at sea!
Thanks so much for this post. Our Service Men and Women who nurtured these mascots are to be commended. I hope it helped them to hold onto their civilian values!! We know it was hard to face their daily dangers and a little time with an innocent pet surely helped. God Bless all our Troops, near, far, now and long ago.
Pets In The Military
My dad was a pilot in WWII and told many stories of how big a role animals had in keeping up the morale of the soldiers, and became a "respectable form of blankie" for any serviceman needing comfort. If only we could take their example and love others as purely as they love us. Even in the Hell of war, it is the animals we find there that remind us of our true humanity.
cats, dogs whatever, donkeys
cats, dogs whatever, donkeys cows horses serve also in war and humans should be thankful about and mind about, but they dont do it sometimes, ok, most times :-(
In the Navy, meow?
lol
Beautiful story on our brave
Beautiful story on our brave veterans and the pets that kept them happy in troubled times. With sincere thanks from the daughter of a WWII and Korea Navy vet.
Great article! My father was
Great article! My father was on a destroyer (USS Terry DD513) in WWII. He has many stories about being on the ship, but I don't think he ever talked about cats aboard. I will certainly be asking him about them now!
Cats in the Sea Service
Thank you, what a priceless part of history!
awesome!
Thanks for posting these pictures!
The WWII pics of the soldiers helping out the kitties are very moving indeed. Thanks to all those veterans past and present who have rescued the dogs and cats affected by the aftermath of battle.
Just boys...
I love how these pictures show that these soldiers were really just boys, so young and vulnerable. Tears in my eyes.
2 of my favorite things - cats and the navy!
And to this day navy bases are home to feral cats, who are officially the property of the base commander. One of them at my son's base is called Sr Chief Whiskers (apparently he's a demanding little kitty LOL!)
These pictures are so moving
These pictures are so moving and beautiful, thank you.
LOVE THIS ARTICLE, THANK YOU!
LOVE THIS ARTICLE, THANK YOU!
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