• Subscribe Now
  • Today In History
  • Major Wars & Events
    • NEW! The Russia–Ukraine War
    • American Revolution
    • The Civil War
    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Cold War
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • Global War on Terror
    • Movements
      • Women’s Rights
      • Civil Rights
      • Abolition of Slavery
  • Famous People
    • U.S. Presidents
    • World Leaders
    • Military Leaders
    • Outlaws & Lawmen
    • Activists
    • Artists & Writers
    • Celebrities
    • Scientists
    • Philosophers
  • Eras
    • Modern Era
      • 2000s
      • 1900s
      • 1800s
    • Early Modern
      • 1700s
      • 1600s
      • 1500s
    • The Middle Ages
    • Classical Era
    • Prehistory
  • Topics
    • Black History
    • Slavery
    • Women’s History
    • Prisoners of War
    • Firsthand Accounts
    • Technology & Weaponry
    • Aviation & Spaceflight
    • Naval & Maritime
    • Politics
    • Military History
    • Art & Literature
    • News
    • Entertainment & Culture
    • Historical Figures
    • Photography
    • Wild West
    • Social History
    • Native American History
  • Our Magazines
    • American History
    • America’s Civil War
    • Aviation History
    • Civil War Times
    • Military History
    • Military History Quarterly
    • Vietnam
    • Wild West
    • World War II
  • More
    • Feature Stories
    • Interviews
    • Book & Film Reviews
    • Biographies
    • Quizzes
    • Videos
    • Portfolios
    • Weapons & Gear
    • Battle Maps
    • Ask Prof. History
    • Historical Controversies
  • Get Our Newsletter
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Most Popular

Skip to content
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
HistoryNet

HistoryNet

The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet.

  • Subscribe Now
  • Today In History
  • Major Wars & Events
    • NEW! The Russia–Ukraine War
    • American Revolution
    • The Civil War
    • World War I
    • World War II
    • Cold War
    • Korean War
    • Vietnam War
    • Global War on Terror
    • Movements
      • Women’s Rights
      • Civil Rights
      • Abolition of Slavery
  • Famous People
    • U.S. Presidents
    • World Leaders
    • Military Leaders
    • Outlaws & Lawmen
    • Activists
    • Artists & Writers
    • Celebrities
    • Scientists
    • Philosophers
  • Eras
    • Modern Era
      • 2000s
      • 1900s
      • 1800s
    • Early Modern
      • 1700s
      • 1600s
      • 1500s
    • The Middle Ages
    • Classical Era
    • Prehistory
  • Topics
    • Black History
    • Slavery
    • Women’s History
    • Prisoners of War
    • Firsthand Accounts
    • Technology & Weaponry
    • Aviation & Spaceflight
    • Naval & Maritime
    • Politics
    • Military History
    • Art & Literature
    • News
    • Entertainment & Culture
    • Historical Figures
    • Photography
    • Wild West
    • Social History
    • Native American History
  • Our Magazines
    • American History
    • America’s Civil War
    • Aviation History
    • Civil War Times
    • Military History
    • Military History Quarterly
    • Vietnam
    • Wild West
    • World War II
  • More
    • Feature Stories
    • Interviews
    • Book & Film Reviews
    • Biographies
    • Quizzes
    • Videos
    • Portfolios
    • Weapons & Gear
    • Battle Maps
    • Ask Prof. History
    • Historical Controversies
  • Get Our Newsletter
Posted inStories

‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats

Aside from ruling their owners’ homes (and the Internet), cats have also turned out to be rulers of the waves.
by Zita Ballinger Fletcher6/30/20227/5/2022
Featured in Christenson's book "Cats in the Navy," this kitten is wearing a U.S. Navy Cracker Jack uniform in 1950.
Share This Article

What common factor has united sailors across arguably all time periods and countries across the globe? Some might guess tattooing or swearing, but cats might be a better answer.

Yes, cats. Felines aren’t known for a love of water — so it will likely surprise most people that they have a long and illustrious history of naval service. What might be even more surprising is that many cats, known for their domesticity, enjoyed life on the high seas, catching fish and seagulls and lounging in comfortable spots aboard ships.

In his book “Cats in the Navy“, author Scot Christenson, communications director for the U.S. Naval Institute, takes a deep dive into the history of sailing cats — from Nile barges in ancient Egypt to World War II battleships. Sure to be a favorite for cat lovers, the book explores the little-known aspects of felines and naval history.

The book takes a deep dive into the history of cats at sea. (Courtesy Naval Institute Press)

It also includes probably the largest extant published collection of seagoing cat images. The author’s favorite photo is one of a cat named Bounce, the mascot of the USS Chicago, who was trained by sailors to give a salute.

“Cats were considered to be part of the crew,” Christenson said. “Also when the cats passed away, they were even given burials at sea with full honors just like other crew members.”

Cats were considered lucky by sailors, Christenson said, and were appreciated for their abilities to keep ships free of rats. They were of course also appreciated for their cuteness and companionship, and won the affection of many sailors who served with them. In fact, the crew of the SS Texel refused to abandon their cat after their ship was torpedoed by a U-boat in 1918. The merchant sailors begged the German commander to allow them to rescue their cat Mickey from the sinking vessel. The Germans complied, and Mickey was evacuated in a lifeboat.

J.E. Hall, a member of a Naval armed guard for the S.S. Jupiter, poses with cats named Mouse and Snow circa 1917-18. After being torpedoed by a U-boat in 1918, merchant sailors on the SS Texel hesitated to abandon ship without rescuing their cat Mickey — and fortunately the German U-boat commander granted their request. (U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command)

The book, which also includes a close examination of the roles of ships’ cats, demonstrates that tough sailors of every variety and description had a soft spot for their whiskered friends, taking them everywhere. Sailors actually contributed to a global cat diaspora — so the next time you celebrate Caturday, thank a sailor. 

Aside from looking adorable in miniature sleeping hammocks and proving themselves useful at nabbing rats, cats acquired deeper meanings to many sailors over time, becoming the subjects of reverence and superstition. Black cats, calico cats and polydactl cats (cats with extra toes) are among types of cats considered particularly lucky by some — although photos in the book prove that nobody can resist a bright-eyed tabby.

The book also includes a “Claws of Fame” section containing the stories of various cats in nautical history. Christenson’s favorite is the story of Miss Hap — a kitten rescued during the Korean War by a sympathetic U.S. Marine.

This playful kitten was “captured” by the crew of the USS Langley after being found on Majuro Atoll in the Marshall Islands on the ship’s first battle cruise in 1944. (U.S. Naval History & Heritage Command)

There are no cats allowed on U.S. Navy ships now. Improved technology eliminated the need for manual rat removal and international quarantine regulations resulted in the decline and fall of the sea cat empire. Not to mention the fact that some U.S. government officials didn’t take kindly to Navy officers participating in festivities such as birthday parties and funerals for fuzzy mascots, according to Christenson — “the optics of it” appeared frivolous, he said. (But that didn’t stop beloved ships’ cats from enjoying graceful retirement in Navy offices.)

Aside from ruling their owners’ homes (and the Internet), cats have also turned out to be rulers of the waves. The next time you reflect on naval warfare or the rise and fall of global empires, just remember that behind every great sailor in history was a cat. Probably.

Cats in the Navy

by Scot Christenson, Naval Institute Press

get it on amazon

This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.

Share This Article
by Zita Ballinger Fletcher

more by Zita Ballinger Fletcher

Dive deeper

  • Animals
  • Animals in war
  • British Royal Navy
  • fursday
  • Naval History
  • U.S. Navy

Citation information

Zita Ballinger Fletcher (8/11/2022) ‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats. HistoryNet Retrieved from https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/.
"‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats."Zita Ballinger Fletcher - 8/11/2022, https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/
Zita Ballinger Fletcher 6/30/2022 ‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats., viewed 8/11/2022,<https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/>
Zita Ballinger Fletcher - ‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats. [Internet]. [Accessed 8/11/2022]. Available from: https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/
Zita Ballinger Fletcher. "‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats." Zita Ballinger Fletcher - Accessed 8/11/2022. https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/
"‘Cats in the Navy’: Book Explores the Secret Life of Sea Cats." Zita Ballinger Fletcher [Online]. Available: https://www.historynet.com/navy-cats/. [Accessed: 8/11/2022]

Related stories

Stories

Portfolio: Images of War as Landscape

Whether they produced battlefield images of the dead or daguerreotype portraits of common soldiers, […]

News

‘Hitler Wine’ Spotted in Italian Shops, Sparks Outrage

The wine, adorned with Adolf Hitler’s face and slogans such as “Mein Führer,” “Sieg Heil” and “Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Führer,” have sparked fury from around the globe.

Stories

How Did This Famous Pilot End Up in an Apple Orchard?

Roscoe Turner’s attempt at a milestone flight to New York City did not go as planned.

Stories

A Brief History of Spider-Man

Spider-Man turned 60 in August 2022. Here’s what you need to know about your favorite webslinger and how he changed the most American medium of all.

HistoryNet
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

“History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.”

David McCullough, author of “1776”

HistoryNet.com is brought to you by HistoryNet LLC, the world’s largest publisher of history magazines. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 11,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines.

Our Magazines

  • American History
  • America’s Civil War
  • Aviation History
  • Civil War Times
  • Military History
  • Military History Quarterly
  • Vietnam
  • Wild West
  • World War II

About Us

  • What Is HistoryNet.com?
  • Advertise With Us
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Meet Our Staff!

Stay Curious

Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians.

sign me up!

© 2022 HistoryNet.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service