The ship's cat has been a common feature on many trading, exploration, and naval ships, and dates back to ancient times. Cats have been carried on ships for many reasons, the most important being to catch mice and rats. These rodents aboard a ship can cause damage to ropes, woodwork and after the introduction of steam, electrical wiring. Also, rodents threatened the stores the ship carried. Rodents may devour the foodstuff carried to feed the crew, and could cause economic damage if the ship was carrying grain or similar substances as part of its cargo. Rats and mice were also sources of disease, which is dangerous for ships that are at sea for long periods of time.
Here's a collection of historic photos demonstrating the affection the U.S. sea services have had for cats over the years.
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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. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
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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. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
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Two cats pose in the breech of a 4" caliber naval gun of an unidentified ship prior to World War One. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
USS Flusser cat 'Wockle' on the capstan in Venice, Italy, 1924-25. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
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. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Here is 'Bilgewater', the mascot of the Coast Guard Academy, circa 1944. He's modeling the new wartime grey cadet uniform. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services
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. |
Fascinating Vintage Photograhs of Cats in the U.S. Sea Services