Ship’s cats

The map of the world today would look very different were it not for cats. Without them the great sea expeditions and voyages of discovery would never have been possible: on the weeklong trips across the Atlantic cats were a necessity, for they protected the food from rats and mice.

Even up until the 20th century their presence on trade and warships, expeditions, and passenger ships was a given. There was even a French insurance company which used to demand the presence of at least one cat on board – otherwise, no insurance. In fact, this tradition of having a cat present has persisted in many places even up until today.

Detlef Bluhm has reconstructed the history of ship’s cats and spins tales of their lives on board: from daring shore leaves to adventure-filled expeditions all the way up to the risky attempts to save overboard ship’s cats lives.