Survivor to Mascot

Survivor to Mascot

Survivor to Mascot This tiger cat was rescued (along with 7 sailors) by the U.S. Life Saving Service of Hunnewell Beach, near Popham Village in January of 1901. Coast Guardsman Gussie Hodgkins risked his life to save this lucky kitty who most likely used up at least one of her nine lives in this adventure. She was onboard the schooner JOSEPH LUTHER, which was being towed out of the Kennebec River, when the tow line broke sending the schooner onto Whale's Back Ledge. The JOSEPH LUTHER was a total loss, but this kitty was adopted by the crew of the lifesaving station and named "Hunnie". Cats were originally brought on ships to catch rats and other pests, but eventually a number became pets in addition to (or, perhaps, instead of) workers. Life on a sailing ship can be very dull. Pets were something more interesting to focus on, and playing with them gave sailors something to do.