There are many stories of dogs and cats being mascots, but HMS Jaguar was presented with a live Jaguar during a visit to Rio de Janeiro. Other big cats were also gifted. A puma for HMS Puma, a Lynx for HMS Lynx and even HMS Ocelot was gifted an Ocelot!
In this selection you will see Churchill meeting the famous Blackie the cat onboard HMS Prince of Wales, the jaguar that was gifted to the crew of HMS Jaguar by Rio in 1963, a monkey called Winnie who was on the Portsmouth destroyer Velox and two huskies involved in the 1969 trek across the Arctic, that were on HMS Endurance.
9. Animals aboard Navy ships
Two of the ships pets standing in and on the muzzle of the 9.4inch guns. HMS Leviathan 1906. Photo: The News archive
10. Animals aboard Navy ships
Ships mascot Floss looking very comfy in a hammock on board HMS Shannon. Photo: The News archive
11. Animals aboard Navy ships
Perce Blackburow with Mrs Chippy. She was ship's cat on the 1914 Endurance expedition
Mrs Chippy enjoys a ride on Endurance crewmember Perce Blackborow's shoulder Picture: SPRI Photo: The News archive
12. Animals aboard Navy ships
5th September 1931: A sailor from the naval vessel HMS Vernon holding the ship's feline mascot, Minnie during a stay at Portsmouth. Picture: Fox Photos/Getty Images Photo: The News archive