Adventures of the Blackgang
Thalassophilia, Nautical History, Culture, and Art
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HMAS Sydney (D48) - a Leander-class light cruiser launched in 1934, and sunk following an engagement with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran on 19 November 1941. The wreck was rediscovered in 2008 (+)
Ship’s mascots on HMAS Sydney 1940 by Australian War Memorial collection on Flickr.
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The first USS Nahant was a Passaic-class ironclad monitor of the United States Navy that saw service in the American Civil War and the Spanish-American War.
Nahant was launched on 7 October 1862, by Harrison Loring, South Boston, Massachusetts, and commissioned on 29 December 1862. The new single-turreted monitor joined the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron at Port Royal Harbor, South Carolina on 20 February 1863, and saw her first action in the Union bombardment of Fort McAllister on 3 March.
“Crew of the USS Nahant with their two cats, ca 1898.” Source: U.S. Naval Institute.
USS Nahant, circa 1898
(via mudwerks)
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Simon, Hero of the Yangtze Incident, Is Remembered with a Wreath-Laying Ceremony in Ilford
“Simon’s company and expertise as a rat catcher were invaluable during the months we were held captive. During that terrifying time, he helped boost the morale of many young sailors, some of whom had seen their friends killed. Simon is still remembered with great affection.”
— Stewart Hett, Lieutenant Commander, HMS Amethyst(via coldisthesea)
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USS Flusser (DD-289) - The third USS Flusser was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. Launched 7 November 1919 by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, Squantum, Massachusetts.
Active service was patrol duty in Mexican waters between 9 May 1920 and 17 June, based at Key West. She carried out a comprehensive training schedule along the east coast and in the Caribbean until 18 June 1924 when she sailed from Newport, Rhode Island for a tour of duty with U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, calling at ports in 15 countries before returning to New York 16 July 1925.
Returning to east coast and Caribbean operations, Flusser aided in the development of destroyer tactics and carried reservists on training cruises until decommissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1 May 1930. She was scrapped 22 October 1930 in accordance with the terms of the London Treaty limiting naval armaments.
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Cats in the Sea Services | U.S. Naval Institute
“Do not want!” USS Flusser cat ‘Wockle’ on the capstan in Venice, Italy, 1924-25.
[dismayed cat is dismayed…]
(via mudwerks)
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I get up and leave the room for maybe a minute and a half, and this is what I come back to.
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WAR VETERAN-Pooli, who rates three service ribbons and four battle stars, shows she can still get into her old uniform as she prepares to celebrate her 15th birthday. The ship’s cat served aboard an attack transport during World War II.
The Royal Navy banned cats and other pet animals from all ships on the ocean in 1975 on hygiene grounds. (bastards!)
Publication date: July 4, 1959 - Los Angeles Times photographic archive, UCLA Library
Tiddles, the ship’s cat of HMS VICTORIOUS, at his favourite station on the after capstan, where he can play with the bell-rope. Tiddles now serving on board HMS VICTORIOUS as Captain’s cat, has spent his whole life on board aircraft carriers. Born on the high seas on board HMS ARGUS he has 30,000 miles to his credit.
Perce Blackburow with Mrs. Chippy (Ship’s cat on the 1914 Endurance expedition)
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Prime Minister Winston Churchill encounters a ship’s cat. He restrains Blackie, the mascot of HMS Prince of Wales, from joining an American destroyer, while the ship’s company stand to attention during the playing of the National Anthem.
Atlantic Conference August 1941
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ship’s cat; second in command
I know I’m sorry this happens on Sailor Junkers every once in a while. BTW, if you don’t like kittens you don’t have a heart.
Meow,
SJ
(via sailorjunkers)
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1919-21
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Empress of Ireland: 14,191 GRT; 570 feet LOA, 548 feet 10 inches BP; 65 feet 9 inches beam. Twin screw, powered by 2 four-cylinder quadruple expansion engines, producing 3,168 nhp, providing a service speed of 18 knots. She had accommodation for 310 first class, 500 second class, 500 third class and 270 steerage passengers.
Built in 1905 by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering at Govan on the Clyde in Scotland for Canadian Pacific Steamships (CP). This Empress was distinguished by the Royal Mail Ship (RMS) prefix in front of her name because the British government and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) had decades earlier reached agreement on a mail subsidy contract between Britain and Hong Kong via Canada.
While steaming on the St. Lawrence River in fog, the Empress was struck amidships by the Norwegian collier (coal freighter) SS Storstad; and the fatally damaged vessel sank very quickly in the early morning of 29 May 1914. This accident claimed 1,073 lives, making it the deadliest maritime disaster in Canadian history.
Artefacts from the wreckage and the history of the vessel, her passengers and crew are on display in the Empress of Ireland Pavilion at the Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père in Rimouski, Quebec.The ship’s cat Emmy, a loyal orange tabby who had never once missed a voyage, repeatedly tried to escape the ship near departure on 28 May 1914. The crew could not coax her aboard and the Empress departed without her. It was reported that Emmy watched the ship sail away from Quebec City sitting on the roof of the shed at Pier 27, which would later become a place for the dead pulled from the river.
Full story of the disaster on Wiki
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and Kitty Makes Three
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