Seafarers kept their ship’s cats well-fed and content.
But the cats' presence on the ship was more than just a matter of luck.
Did you know that sailors used to keep a cat on their ships?
The reason was that cats were revered as good luck charms by ancient mariners.
If a cat approached a sailor, that was seen as a good omen.
If the cat turned away, it was seen as a bad omen.
Therefore, seafarers kept their ship’s cats well-fed and content.
But the cats' presence on the ship was more than just a matter of luck.
Cats on ships were used to kill rodents and keep them off the ship for many reasons, including preventing damage to the ship’s woodwork.
Cats protected food stores and grains on board the ship. Rats carried the plague and other diseases that could spread easily to humans.
Some mariners believed that cat tails had magical powers that could influence the weather.
A cat's tail could protect a ship from a storm, but if a cat falls or is thrown overboard during a storm, the ship is cursed to sink and remain at sea for nine years.
Sailors also believed a few other unusual nautical superstitions surrounding cats:
A ship’s cat sneezing meant that it was going to rain.
A frisky ship’s cat was an omen of a windy day.
A ship’s cat that licked its fur against the grain signaled that a hailstorm was on its way.
While some sailors believe that cats are bad luck, recent research suggests that there is a scientific basis for this superstition…
Research has found that cats can sense changes in weather more acutely than other animals (and even humans), due to their sensitive inner ears.
In fact, cats may often act restless before storms on the sea—which can explain why "cats hate water" isn't just an expression!
Perhaps a cat can alert you to bad weather and keep you safer on a ship.
So, will a cat really be the ideal crew?
What is your opinion on this?
Please let me know. It would be good to hear your thoughts.
Best
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