Emmy
Emmy was a ship’s cat who served in and derived her name from the Empress of Ireland, an ocean liner operated by the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company. The liner operated on the North Atlantic between Liverpool and Quebec for most of its career, which ran from 1906 to 1914. During most of that time, the crew watched over Emmy as the orange tabby cat worked for its keep by suppressing rat and mouse infestation in the ship’s hold. Emmy was fond of the canned sardines and kippers which her fellow crew members provided her, and seldom if ever left the ship, even when tied up in port.
Emmy usually remained topside while the ship was getting underway, surprising for an animal which is sensitive to noise. As anyone who has ever seen a ship getting underway can attest, the evolution is fraught with loud noises, seeming confusion, the constant rattling, and banging of ropes and machinery, and the loudly shouted frequently colorful communications of the sailors and dockworkers. Emmy appeared to enjoy them all.
Emmy was considered a good luck charm by the crew, who were dismayed to find while getting underway from Quebec City on May 28, 1914, that Emmy was not at her usual spot. As the crew went about their duties and the moment of departure grew imminent, Emmy was spotted ashore, sitting on the top of a shed on nearby Pier 27, watching the proceedings below.
No amount of coaxing by the crew could bring Emmy to come aboard before the gangway was removed and Empress of Ireland moved away from the pier. Witnesses later reported Emmy continued to watch the ship as it drew off into the channel.
In the wee hours of the morning of May 29 Empress of Ireland collided with the collier Storstad near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Storstad was heavily damaged but managed to reach safety. Empress of Ireland was not so lucky, sinking quickly and with heavy loss of life. Over 1,000 passengers and crew were killed in the chill waters of St. Lawrence. About 460 were saved. Emmy was never seen again.