FAMOUS CAT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23088, 13 July 1938, Page 10

FAMOUS CAT

EXPERIENCES ON SHIP HEROINE OF CUMBERLAND 47 DAYS IN FROZEN HOLD Cats are said to have nine lives P'hich possibly accounts for some of the emarkable feats of hardihood accomplished by "Minnie," the sleek black piascot of the ship Cumberland, which ! lis at present visiting Auckland. Rightly 'it would seem, the cat is regarded ag Something of a heroine on the ship, because her experiences include survivl ing 47 days in a frozen hold, dropping itivico from dizzy heights into other 'holds, and falling overboard into a Glasgow dock. When "Minnie," surrounded by ! (frozen carcases of meat, was released 'from her chilly prison, after a voyage from Napier to London- in February last, she became the subject of headlines in newspapers all over the world. Frost-bitten and Starving Able to walk, although frost-bitten jbehind the ears and legs, the cat showed ;ionly in her starved condition the terhriblo experience to which she had been 'subjected. , Only a few weeks later, when the | vessel was at Panama, "Minnie" surj prised the crew with a family of six I little kittens. Subsequently she gave iibirth to another litter of five. All bat j,three have been given away at various | ports of call to persons eager to keep ! one of the offspring of such a notable another. With the three remaining kit[tens, which have now grown as big as herself, "Minnie" was found basking in Auckland's sunshine on the after deck of the Cumberland yesterday afternoon. Many Falls Survived Both mother and kittens have fallen down the ship's holds at different times, and, although temporarily stunned, they escaped lightly. One of the kittens broke a leg, but treatment soon rectified the injury. Two years ago, while the ship was in Glasgow, j"Minnie" fell into the water, but climbed up to the rudder post, where she sat until rescued with the aid of a rope. "Minnie," who is now about two and a-half years of age, is the particular pet of Mr. Richard Savage, the ship's storeman, and Mr. David George, the donkeyman. They are both very fond of the cat and her kittens, ancl take pride in telling of her accomplishments. They have had her since she was a kitten, having previously had her mother and father as pets.