When the Titanic embarked on its doomed maiden voyage in April 1912, aboard were not just human passengers and crew, but also an often-overlooked member of the team—a cat named Jenny. Her story, and potentially those of her kittens, intrigues us to think about the fate of the animals on one of the most infamous ships in history.
Jenny, a diligent mouser, was actually transferred from Titanic’s sister ship, the Olympic. Like many ships in that era, the Titanic had its share of rats and other pests that could wreak havoc by damaging ropes, chewing through wires, or nibbling on cargo. Enter Jenny, with her primary duty to keep these unwanted guests in check. According to survivors, even the Titanic’s splendor couldn’t keep the scurrying of rats entirely at bay, and Jenny had her plate full.
Jenny’s favorite spot aboard was nestled near a kitchen worker, a scullion, from whom she received affection and presumably some tasty scraps. This connection was so strong that a stewardess named Violet Jessop mentioned in her memoirs Jenny’s steadfast devotion to the scullion’s company.
Adding to Jenny’s mystery was her condition when she boarded the Titanic—pregnant and about to give birth. Just a week before the ship sailed, Jenny welcomed a litter of kittens. But when the Titanic went down, with around 1,500 human lives, Jenny and her brood were sadly presumed lost to the sea, although tales whisper that Jenny might have cleverly disembarked at Southampton. According to the story, after seeing Jenny with her kittens leaving the ship, a crewmember refused to reboard, interpreting it as an ominous sign and perhaps saving his own life.
While Jenny’s tale remains partially shrouded in mystery, she wasn’t the only animal aboard. The Titanic ferried around a dozen dogs, mostly belonging to first-class passengers, with some surviving because they were small enough to be hidden within coats on lifeboats. Yet, the larger dogs, sadly, did not make it when their kennels were opened in the chaos of sinking as they bolted in fear across the Titanic’s angled decks.
Animals on ships were practical companions and morale boosters until 1975 when regulations changed. While Jenny’s story holds a place in Titanic’s lore, other shipboard cats have had their moments of fame too. A British ship’s cat, Simon, received military honors for his service, showing that these feline sailors were not just mere mascots but key figures in maritime history.
The full extent of animal lives lost on that icy April night is unknown. Besides Jenny and her kittens, only a few dogs were confirmed to have survived. It’s unclear exactly how many perished, but the ship’s logs remind us there were at least a couple of chickens, one canary, and uncounted rodents onboard when the ship foundered.
Though the Titanic’s tragic tale is one of human heroism and tragedy, it’s easy to forget the stories of its animal passengers. Jenny, in particular, reminds us of the small roles that animals have played throughout history. We may never know all the details of her voyage, but her presence adds yet another layer of depth to the mysterious and captivating story of the Titanic.
