On April 15, 1912, the Titanic—a world-famous luxury ocean liner—struck an iceberg and sank, claiming over 1,500 lives and becoming one of the most shocking maritime disasters in history. But beyond the human tragedy, many animals aboard the ship also faced disaster.
Jenny, the Titanic's Official Mouser
Among the animals was a cat named Jenny, known as the Titanic's "official mouser". Jenny was an adult female cat whose job was to control the rat and mice population on the ship. She was especially close to a kitchen steward who often fed her leftover food, and Jenny would frequently curl up beside him to sleep.
Tragically, Jenny had given birth to a litter of kittens about a week before the Titanic's maiden voyage. Official records indicate that Jenny and her kittens perished when the ship sank. However, a mysterious legend persists: when the Titanic was docked at Southampton (its departure port), some witnesses claimed to have seen Jenny carrying her kittens off the ship, one by one, as if sensing the impending danger. One crew member, seeing this, reportedly quit his post and left the ship, believing it to be an ominous sign. Whether true or not, this story adds a poignant and mysterious aura to Jenny's tale.
Other Animal Passengers
Besides Jenny and her kittens, the Titanic carried at least 12 dogs, all pets of first-class passengers. These included prized breeds such as Pomeranians, a Pekingese, a Great Dane, a French Bulldog, and various terriers. The dogs were housed in kennels located on the aft deck, and there was even a dog show scheduled for April 15, the day of the sinking, which sadly never took place.
Only three dogs survived the disaster: two Pomeranians and one Pekingese. Their small size allowed their owners to smuggle them onto lifeboats wrapped in coats or blankets. Unfortunately, larger dogs, including a Great Dane whose owner refused to leave without him, perished with the ship. The owner was later found clutching her beloved dog's body, a deeply moving testament to their bond.
Other Animals on Board
In addition to cats and dogs, the Titanic carried several chickens, roosters, and at least one canary. These birds were likely brought by steerage passengers hoping to start new lives with poultry farming in America. The ship also had a large population of rats, which Jenny the cat was meant to control. One rat was famously seen running across the third-class dining room on the night of the sinking, causing distress among passengers.
Fate of the Animals
While three small dogs survived by being carried onto lifeboats, most animals, including Jenny and her kittens, were lost with the ship. There are stories that, as the Titanic sank, a crew member opened the kennel doors to give the dogs a chance to escape, leading to chaos as the dogs ran freely on the slanting decks. Despite these efforts, only a few animals lived through the tragedy.
The story of Jenny and the Titanic's animals reminds us that the disaster affected not only humans but also the many creatures who shared the voyage. Their stories, both documented and legendary, add a touching dimension to the history of the Titanic.
