The True Story of a Brave Cat in the British Navy

Taken from an article by Tanya M. Petrokov
LAWS: "This is the true story of “Simon the Cat” who’s duty it was to control a British Naval Ship’s rat population. In April 1949 the Royal Navy Frigate H.M.S. Amethyst was patrolling the Yangste River in China. It came under siege by the Chinese Communists and was under fire for several days. By the end of its famous dash down the Yangtze river, 25 of the ship’s 183 crew, including the Captain, were killed and the whole affair became known as the Yangtze incident. Simon, the ship’s small black and white cat, was wounded in the siege and bolted in terror to the depths of the ship. After 5 days, hunger brought him on deck where he was taken to the sick bay. He was found to have four shrapnel wounds and his whiskers were badly burnt and his heart was seriously weakened by the shock of it all. His head was bandaged but he continued his duty catching rats, while recovering. He also patrolled the sick bay to rest among his fellow injured Seamen. Despite being wounded in action, he continued his work on the ship all the while nursing his little bandaged head. His enduring spirit lent moral support to the other survivors on the ship, encouraging them to persevere and remain strong. "

for more information on Simon, read http://www.purr-n-fur.org.uk/famous/simon.html