Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 30:15-31:00

Why sailmakers valued ship's cats

Cats protected vulnerable sailcloth from rats, making them useful partners for the specialists responsible for a sailing ship's repair materials.

Age Of SailPest ControlSailmakersShip's Cats
Watch at this timeFull video guide
Question

Were ship's cats a danger to stored sails?

Short answer

The larger danger was rats eating sailcloth, so carpenters and sailmakers valued cats for protecting their stores.

Notes

Rats eating sailcloth posed a greater danger than cats tearing stored sails. Carpenters and sailmakers therefore had good reason to encourage cats around their stores and workspaces. Ships could carry more than one cat, making pest control a practical part of material preservation at sea. The familiar shipboard cat protected stores essential to sailing and repair.