Top dog (1920s)

A young British India Line officer with dog on the ship Chindwara. Cats and dogs may have been expected to earn their keep catching mice and rats, but they undoubtedly also provided an outlet for affection.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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Baby and dog on a sailing ship (c1910)

The child may have been part of the captain’s family living on board the ship, which was not uncommon in this era.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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Paddle steamer pets (1910 – 1920s)

The two cats appear to be important inclusions in the portrait of the catering crew of the paddle steamer Newcastle. The ship did the overnight run between Sydney and Newcastle for 40 years.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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Ship’s dogs and puppies (c1950)

A Japanese seaman on the Mitsui Line cargo ship Yahiko Maru with a litter of puppies.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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English ship’s officer with monkey (date unknown)

A pet like this monkey was evidence of the exotic ports seafarers visited. The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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Cat on watch (1947)

A ship’s cat on the famous Pamir, one of the last commercial sailing ships on world routes. Cargoes of grain provided happy hunting grounds.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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Seaman with a cat and kitten (c1910)

Cats and their kittens were common on sailing ships. Considered lucky by superstitious sailors, they caught rats and mice and helped ease the boredom of long sea voyages.

The image is part of a collection of a travelling Australian National Maritime Museum exhibit called Little Shipmates.

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