#catnapping

They accidentally name the cat midna. How would she find out?

Tom Whiskers on duty on the USS Relief, 1921

Tom is quite a rascal as Philippa Sandall stated in her book Seafurrers. It happened in December 1919 when this cat was away from his ship, the hospital ship USS Solace, and its crew wrote to the destroyer USS Bell to accuse them of a serious case of catnapping. Here are the two letters that were exchanged to settle this serious case:

December 13, 1919

From: Commanding Officer, USS Solace

To: Commanding Officer, USS Bell

Subject: Ship's Cat

Several members of the crew of this ship have informed me the commanding officer that the mascot of the Solace, Thomas Whiskers, has been kidnapped or catnipped [sic] by certain members of your crew and is being impounded on board your ship. This mascot is a large, black Tom and when last seen was in dress uniform consisting of a leather collar with brass tag marked USS Solace.

If this cat is on board your ship, please inform me and I will send a member of the crew for it.

RWP

-

From: Commanding Officer, USS Bell

To: Commanding Officer, USS Solace

Subject: Your letter of Dec. 13, 1919

Your ship's cat "Whiskers" is being returned under guard, but an explanation of his presence aboard the ship is no doubt due you.

Prior to our departure from alongside the Solace, the cat in question developed a warm regard for the USS Bell, consequently spending much of his time aboard. On the morning we shifted berth his presence aboard was unknown to us. Later in the day after your ship had sailed, he was found to have taken possession of an unoccupied stateroom. The master-at-arms immediately made him prisoner on the ground that he was a stowaway and incarcerated him in the paint locker. This will account for the fact that he is no longer the black cat you describe, but battleship grey.

We advise against the removal of this collar since its low visibility aids the performance of his duties.

In regard to the dress uniform worn by the prisoner – in his attempts to remove the paint he pulled off the collar and lost it. This ship feels under no obligation in regard to the latter. In adding one 10¢ collar to its stores it lost $2 worth of paint.