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Seafurrers: The Ships’ Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World
A cat’s-eye view of maritime history
We remember the bold seafarers of yore—from Magellan to Shackleton—for their extraordinary new lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible . . . yes, the noble cat!
In Seafurrers , able sea cat Bart sets the record straight at last. “Fear of water” aside, cats were indispensable at sea—both as pest controllers and as beloved mascots. Thirty–eight tales recount the adventures of Trim (who circumnavigated Australia), Tom (the sole feline survivor of the sinking of the USS Maine ), celebrity cat Simon (a veteran of the Yangtze Incident), and other furry heroes.
Filled with nautical trivia, rare photographs, and whimsical illustrations, this deft genealogy of human–feline friendship will stir your regard for the incomparable cat—whether on the couch or in the crow’s nest!
We remember the bold seafarers of yore—from Magellan to Shackleton—for their extraordinary new lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible . . . yes, the noble cat!
In Seafurrers , able sea cat Bart sets the record straight at last. “Fear of water” aside, cats were indispensable at sea—both as pest controllers and as beloved mascots. Thirty–eight tales recount the adventures of Trim (who circumnavigated Australia), Tom (the sole feline survivor of the sinking of the USS Maine ), celebrity cat Simon (a veteran of the Yangtze Incident), and other furry heroes.
Filled with nautical trivia, rare photographs, and whimsical illustrations, this deft genealogy of human–feline friendship will stir your regard for the incomparable cat—whether on the couch or in the crow’s nest!
256 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2018
36 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
About the author
Philippa Sandall
20 books1 followerPhilippa Sandall is a writer, editorial consultant, and coauthor of the bestselling New Glucose Revolution series and Seafurrers blog.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 23, 2020
This light, general overview of seafaring cats was enjoyable and was supplemented with humorous photos. While I was expecting more tales of specific “seafurrers,” the excerpts and journal entries here provided an entertaining introduction to feline life at sea. I, for one, would be certain to bring lots of seafurrers along on any voyage, nautical or otherwise. Thus, these literary accounts affirmed why our furry friends have been such cherished companions for so long.
March 29, 2018
This is a fun little book, a good gift for maritime loving cat people.
Split into four section, each “incident” (chapter) usually begins with an excerpt from a journal, news article, or picture that mentions the ship’s cat(s) doing something, followed by a brief history and/or facts. Some facts pertain directly to the history of the ship the cat was on, others are more cat trivia, while others are completely random, a tangent from something mentioned in the excerpt. These are not biographies of each cat in question, as the synopsis sort of makes it out to be, but rather segues into segues. It was confusing at first, but I gradually warmed up to the topics being covered.
There were some fun excerpts in here that made me want to read more about the person and/or exploration or mission in general, but the commentary about the story didn’t stick with me, even if it covered something interesting. I also read multiple incidents at a time, so that may have led me to feeling a bit bored with the style. Reading just one or two entries at time is the better course of action than binge-reading.
I’d recommend this for cat lovers who also are interested in seafaring in general, but people who might have extensive maritime knowledge might be unimpressed with the information given.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
Split into four section, each “incident” (chapter) usually begins with an excerpt from a journal, news article, or picture that mentions the ship’s cat(s) doing something, followed by a brief history and/or facts. Some facts pertain directly to the history of the ship the cat was on, others are more cat trivia, while others are completely random, a tangent from something mentioned in the excerpt. These are not biographies of each cat in question, as the synopsis sort of makes it out to be, but rather segues into segues. It was confusing at first, but I gradually warmed up to the topics being covered.
There were some fun excerpts in here that made me want to read more about the person and/or exploration or mission in general, but the commentary about the story didn’t stick with me, even if it covered something interesting. I also read multiple incidents at a time, so that may have led me to feeling a bit bored with the style. Reading just one or two entries at time is the better course of action than binge-reading.
I’d recommend this for cat lovers who also are interested in seafaring in general, but people who might have extensive maritime knowledge might be unimpressed with the information given.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy to review!
(Cross posted on my blog.)
August 12, 2019
When choosing a new book to read I stumbled upon this little book about something I never thought before: seafurrers aka cats that stayed on ships catching rats and providing company to the sailors. Being a person who likes to read both about sea travel and cats I of course decided to get it.
It is a great book. I liked the way it was written. In the beginning of each chapter we get a part of a diary, letter or report about a ship which mentions their seafurrer. And afterwards we get some more information on what that paragraph was about, sometimes about the cat sometimes about something else about this journey. And we get some trivia bout anything.
I must say I am amazed about how much cats were loved even centuries ago. I would think that they were cherished for keeping the ship clear of rodents. But this documents also show us how much the sailors and captains loved their company, mourned their death and would jump overboard to save them. Of course it is hard not to love cats.
The book also contains pictures taken from the ship crew and their cat. Interesting how even in 19th century when photography was just starting people wanted to have some cat pictures. It didn't just start with us taking 100 pics a day and loving our cat memes.
Definitely recommend it to people who love cats. A nice look into a more unusual history of our lovely pets.
It is a great book. I liked the way it was written. In the beginning of each chapter we get a part of a diary, letter or report about a ship which mentions their seafurrer. And afterwards we get some more information on what that paragraph was about, sometimes about the cat sometimes about something else about this journey. And we get some trivia bout anything.
I must say I am amazed about how much cats were loved even centuries ago. I would think that they were cherished for keeping the ship clear of rodents. But this documents also show us how much the sailors and captains loved their company, mourned their death and would jump overboard to save them. Of course it is hard not to love cats.
The book also contains pictures taken from the ship crew and their cat. Interesting how even in 19th century when photography was just starting people wanted to have some cat pictures. It didn't just start with us taking 100 pics a day and loving our cat memes.
Definitely recommend it to people who love cats. A nice look into a more unusual history of our lovely pets.
May 5, 2018
As a person who loves both cats and maritime history, this little book was right up my alley. I was expecting more content about the cats than I got, but luckily I enjoyed learning about the seaFARERS almost as much as the seaFURRERS. I would be sure to let cat lovers know before recommending the book to them, however.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
January 7, 2018
An entertaining book for cat lovers or older children. I was most interested in the stories of the cats themselves rather than the diversions about general maritime history or natural facts. I can't take a book that openly cites Wikipedia (!) too seriously, but as a light read it was pleasant enough. My review copy omitted photos and artwork, but judging by the captions I'm sure there will be some cute illustrations in the published edition.
May 29, 2024
I was expecting something more humorous and more cat-focused. This was more maritime history with particular focus on Australian seafaring. The parts about cats on the ships were cute, but disappointingly brief. I guess we can't expect much when it comes to scrounging up ships logs. It got pretty redundant fairly quickly - ships had rats, cats were put on ships to address the rats, cats were also companion and mascot animals, sometimes they fell off the ships and would be rescued.
It took me a while to get through because I found it fairly boring, thus not keeping my attention. I'm sure avid cat and maritime history lovers would enjoy it more than me.
It took me a while to get through because I found it fairly boring, thus not keeping my attention. I'm sure avid cat and maritime history lovers would enjoy it more than me.
September 24, 2018
This book turned out to be not what I was expecting at all. I thought the book was going to be about the exploits of cats belonging to certain ships. It is more about cats in general and their uses aboard a ship. This is not to say that the book was not interesting. You do learn a bit about the reasons cats were brought aboard ships, you learn about the Captains of some ships, and you get a history lesson as well.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com and chose to leave this review.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com and chose to leave this review.
June 27, 2025
🐈⬛⚓️🐈⬛⚓️🐈⬛=⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is a delight for any cat-lover. As told from the point of view of the kitty cat, I enjoyed the short sections within each chapter. It flowed in a quick and fast way that was reminiscent of an energetic kitty. I also enjoy nautical tales, so this was an especially enjoyable book for me. The photographs of ships’ cats were really neat to see. The use of letters, correspondence, interviews and journal entries made the books quite interesting as well.
This book is a delight for any cat-lover. As told from the point of view of the kitty cat, I enjoyed the short sections within each chapter. It flowed in a quick and fast way that was reminiscent of an energetic kitty. I also enjoy nautical tales, so this was an especially enjoyable book for me. The photographs of ships’ cats were really neat to see. The use of letters, correspondence, interviews and journal entries made the books quite interesting as well.
October 20, 2018
This book caught my eye in a bookstore while on vacation. Being the cat lover that I am, I had to check it out. Loved reading all the old interesting stories about life at sea, and the cats that they had onboard with them. Learning when and why cats started coming on board ships. I especially loved the photos they included in the book. I want to search online for more photos of seafurrers.
February 27, 2019
valentines day present from Chris. Mostly ship's logs, letters, diaries or newspaper articles having to do with cats on board ships. How could u go wrong. Discovered that Benjamin Franklin's great great grandson was on the Maine when it blew up and he had the foresight to save the ship's cat. Just one of many fun stories
May 7, 2020
What can I say that other reviews haven’t said: If you love cats and the sea, this is a fun history. Though the conditions (for cats and their people) are often perilous in this book, we don’t really feel in danger because the writing is charming and the opinionated. The smart-ass cat that fills us in along the way, Bart, gives us an anthropomorphic attitude that many of us imagine our cats have.
Perhaps the only flaw is the book seemed to go on a bit long. Nevertheless, presuming you love cats and the sea, this is a lovely ride with tidbits of nautical jargon to be gathered along the way.
Perhaps the only flaw is the book seemed to go on a bit long. Nevertheless, presuming you love cats and the sea, this is a lovely ride with tidbits of nautical jargon to be gathered along the way.
September 6, 2018
Very cute photos, both original and retouched, illustrate notable moments in the lives of seagoing cats, as told by their human crewmates.
October 21, 2018
Just deeelightful!
March 24, 2019
Fun history of felines on board.
December 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book.
December 31, 2022
Definitely wish there was more about the actual cats instead of the voyages and seafaring adventures. Next book should be a biography of each cat!
March 5, 2023
not enough Cat and not enough Cat Pics, tbh
March 5, 2023
More about the voyages than the cats.
August 12, 2023
Short, cute book with anecdotes of cats at sea. Reads at about a middle school level.
February 17, 2025
Great anecdotes about various cats on explorers boats and navy ships later on.
June 21, 2018
Seafurrers: The Ships' Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World, written by Philipa Sandall and illustrated by Ad Long, explores the history of the cats that explored the world alongside seafarring souls over the years. People remember the bold seafarers of yore, from Magellan to Shackleton, for their extraordinary exploits: new lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible, the noble cat! Here readers can learn the stories of sea cats such as Trim (who circumnavigated Australia), Tom (the sole feline survivor of the sinking of the USS Maine), celebrity cat Simon (a veteran of the Yangtze Incident), and other furry heroes. There are thirty eight stories of cats that proved to indispensable at sea—both as pest controllers and as beloved mascots, all told from the voice of Bart- a cat eager to explain the missing histories of seafaring felines. The book is filled with nautical trivia, rare photographs, and whimsical illustrations, this deft genealogy of human–feline friendship will stir your regard for the incomparable cat.
Seafurrers: The Ships' Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World is less about the individual cats and the sailors that befriended and made use of them, it is more about the benefits and uses of cats on ships and in the world in general. The information about the benefits of cats for pest control and the calculations of just how useful they were. I think I was expecting more stories than science and math, but that is on me rather than the author. The information given is well presented and the illustrations and photographs added to the narrative. I will admit to being bored with some of the facts, and doing a little skimming. My biggest issue was the fact that the author cited Wikipedia. I am trying to teach research to school children, and how to verify sources. Wikipedia does not count, but can be a good starting point as long as you follow it to reputable primary sources. It is not in itself such a source, and that an author would use it as one made me less than happy.
Seafurrers: The Ships' Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World is less about the individual cats and the sailors that befriended and made use of them, it is more about the benefits and uses of cats on ships and in the world in general. The information about the benefits of cats for pest control and the calculations of just how useful they were. I think I was expecting more stories than science and math, but that is on me rather than the author. The information given is well presented and the illustrations and photographs added to the narrative. I will admit to being bored with some of the facts, and doing a little skimming. My biggest issue was the fact that the author cited Wikipedia. I am trying to teach research to school children, and how to verify sources. Wikipedia does not count, but can be a good starting point as long as you follow it to reputable primary sources. It is not in itself such a source, and that an author would use it as one made me less than happy.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews