The History of Cats on Ships
For a long time, cats have been top-choice companions for seafarers. And it wasn’t just naval ships that brought cats on board, but ships including trading, exploration, and some pirate ships in the past have also been recorded to have cats on their ships. It seems that almost every ship, whether public or private, has its own cat which made the term “ship’s cat” popular.
advertisement
Why Did Ships Have Cats?
The very first seafarers recorded in history to realize the value of cats as shipmates were the ancient Egyptians. During their voyages, Egyptians always had cats onboard and many experts believe it was for good luck and to appease their feline goddess Bastet.
As more ships voyaged to trade goods, go on expeditions, and for military purposes, cats have become even more popular companions for sailors onboard. The primary reason cats were brought on to ships, aside from providing companionship on long travels, is that they help control vermin. Rats and mice are a serious problem on ships as they can eat the limited food supply, damage ropes, and spread diseases. Cats prevent ships from being overrun by mice to ensure a successful voyage for the ships.
Others believe in superstitions, like the Egyptians, that cats protected them by bringing good luck and that their tails had magical powers to control the weather. They also believed in the cats’ ability to guide them in case of a shipwreck at night because of their keen eyesight.
advertisement
Ships and Cats Today
Are ships still bringing cats onboard today as they did in the past? Not exactly. In 1975, the Royal Navy banned cats and other pet animals from all ships on the ocean due to hygiene concerns. However, many private ships still have cats with them on their ships up until now.
This goes to show that cats have always been reliable companions even in the beginning of civilization. Ship cats were not only helping sailors overcome loneliness from being away from their homes and families, but more importantly, they literally saved lives by preventing an infestation of disease-spreading vermin on the ships. Cats have proven themselves to be worthy friends to keep for life in the past until the present time.
Search
Follow us!
Popular Posts
Featured Articles
Greebles and Cats: The Origin and the Meaning
You may have seen an internet sensation concerning cats labeled “greebles.” Feel out of the loop? We’re here to help you. In 2019, Reddit user /user/literallyatree commented on a Reddit post about a cat that looks like it’s trying to slap a ghost. This user commented: “My family calls things…
The Odd-Eyed Cat (AKA Heterochromia)
Cats are already beautiful and fascinating creatures, but people are bound to take notice when they have something as captivating as two different colored eyes. Odd-eyed cats always have one blue eye paired with either a green, yellow, or brown eye. This form of heterochromia occurs in other animals, including…
Polydactyl Cats: Just More Beans to Love
Polydactyl cats have become extremely popular in recent times. As a result, more and more people are interested in learning more about this six-toed cat and want to get one of their own. If you are a cat lover intrigued by polydactyl cats, you have come to the right place….