The Legend of Unsinkable SamIn ancient times Egyptian and Phoenician sailors learned to bring cats a

The Legend of Unsinkable SamIn ancient times Egyptian and Phoenician sailors learned to bring cats along with them aboard ship when on long voyages. Ship cats become an important necessity in ancient times, as the cats killed mice, rats, and other rodents which could consume or contaminate provisions and spread disease. Over time the practice of having cats aboard ship became a common maritime tradition, one that continued even as recently as World War II.The cat known to history as “Unsinkable Sam” began his naval career as the ship’s cat aboard the World War II German battleship Bismarck. The Bismarck was the pride of the German Navy, being the most advanced ship in the German fleet. On May 18th, 1941 the battleship set sail for destiny. After taking part in the sinking of HMS Hood and damaging HMS Prince of Wales, the Bismarck became the Royal Navy’s number one target.  After being disabled by a squadron of torpedo bombers, the Bismarck was surrounded by a large fleet of British ships and shot to pieces. Discovered among the Bismarck’s 115 human survivors was Unsinkable Sam, found clinging to a piece of floating wreckage.For the next few months Sam would serve as ship’s cat aboard the British destroyer HMS Cossack.  On 24th of October, 1941 the Cossack was struck by a torpedo from the German U-Boat U-563. The explosion killed 159 of the Cossacks 190 man crew, but fortunately Unsinkable Sam was one of the survivors.After the sinking of the Cossack, Sam was transferred for service on the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Ironically the Ark Royal was the ship from which the squadron of torpedo bombers which disabled the Bismarck came from. One again Sam would face misfortune and danger when on November 14th, 1941 the Ark Royal was sunk by the German submarine U-81. Once again Unsinkable Sam was discovered alive and well, found clinging to a floating plank.After the sinking of the HMS Ark Royal, Unsinkable Sam’s career as a ship cat came to an end. Sam would spend the remainder of the war as a bodyguard for the Governor of Gibraltar.  After the war he retired to a retirement home for sailors in Belfast. He passed away in 1955. -- source link

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