‘Maritime Cats of Old New York: Mascots of the Waterfront’ Webinar

Can't make it live? Register and get access to the full replay for one week! New York Adventure Club | www.AdventureClub.com

Long overlooked in the pages of history, New York’s 19th- and 20th-century maritime cats were unsung heroes of the waterfront — more than mere rat catchers, they served as loyal crewmates, shipboard mascots, and silent sentinels of the sea. What made these feline companions so vital to life at sea, and how did they become fixtures in the city’s maritime world? It’s time to sail on a surprising voyage through the history of Gotham’s feline-filled nautical past.

Join New York Adventure Club as we dive into the real-life stories of seafaring cats and feline landlubbers who once roamed New York City's bustling harbor from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Led by award-winning author, cat historian, and New York City tour guide Peggy Gavan, this meow-worthy virtual adventure will include:

• The Working Cats of the Brooklyn Navy Yard — Trace the evolution of this historic shipbuilding facility through the eyes of its resident rodent-hunters
• The Ship Cat Rescued at Eatons Neck — Hear the heroic tale of a feline saved from a shipwreck by the U.S. Life-Saving Services using a breeches buoy
• The Feline Mascot of the RMS Carpathia — Learn how a black kitten became a good-luck charm for the ship that famously rescued Titanic survivors
• The Mascot Cats of the Seamen’s Church Institute — Explore the legacy of floating churches and the many cats who offered comfort to sailors on land and sea
• The Refugee Pirate Cats of Chelsea Piers — Uncover the mysterious reasons behind the feline stranding epidemic during the Great Wars at New York’s bustling piers

Afterward, we'll have a Q&A with Peggy — any and all questions are welcomed and encouraged!

Can't make it live? Don't worry, you'll have access to the full replay for one week!

See you there, virtually! Meow!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar

**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser

***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week

****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Peggy

Peggy Gavan's love for history and cats is evident in everything she does. With a background in journalism and a profound curiosity for New York City's lesser-known stories, Peggy has dedicated almost 15 years to researching and uncovering the city's feline past. Her journey began in 2011 with the discovery of the French Hatching Cat story, inspiring her to explore and share more animal tales from New York's history.

Peggy is the author of The Hatching Cat NYC: True and Unusual Animal Tales of Old New York, a blog that explores the rich and often surprising history of cats and other animals in New York City from the 1800s to the 1940s. Her first book, “The Cat Men of Gotham: Tales of Feline Friendships in Old New York,” won a 2019 Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers’ Association. Peggy's second book, “The Bravest Pets of Gotham: Tales of Four-Legged Firefighters of Old New York” (September 2024), features more than 100 stories about the fire horses, dogs, cats, and other FDNY animal mascots.

Disclaimer

By attending a New York Adventure Club experience, you accept our terms of service.

Categories: Virtual, Moments in History