Ship's cat  From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia   (Redirected
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Winston Churchill blocks Blackie, the ship's cat of HMS Prince
of Wales, from crossing the gangway to the USS McDougal
(DD-358), an American destroyer, during a ceremonial visit in
1941. Ship's cat on HMAS Encounter during World War I.  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 and woodwork. 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 important for ships that are at sea for long periods of
time. For example, rats are one of the prima