All-Volunteer 501(c)3
04/26/2025
Most people know the tragic story of the Titanic, but few have heard of Jenny, the cat who lived on the ship and was likely the only one who sensed what was coming. Jenny wasn't just any cat. She was the Titanic's official mouse hunter, brought on board to keep the rodent population under control. During the ship's sea trials, she gave birth to a litter of kittens and was lovingly cared for by a worker named Jim Mulholland. Jim prepared a cozy nest for her and her kittens near the kitchen, warm with the heat from the boilers. He even shared scraps of food with her during his breaks. This quiet routine gave him a sense of calm amidst the chaos of preparing the most luxurious ship in history for its maiden voyage. But something strange happened. A few days before the Titanic set sail from Southampton to New York, Jenny's behavior changed. She became restless. And then, without warning, she started taking her kittens one by one, gently holding them by the neck, and removing them from the ship. She went down the gangway again and again, until all her kittens were safely on dry land. Jim watched in amazement. And in that moment, something clicked. "This cat knows something... something we don't." Trusting his intuition - or perhaps hers - Jim gathered his things and discreetly left the ship. He never got back on board. The Titanic set sail without him. We all know what happened next. Years later, Jim, now an old man, told this story to a journalist. He credited Jenny with saving his life. Her ancient, silent, and unshakeable instinct may have been the only true warning anyone received. Sometimes, heroes don't wear uniforms. Sometimes, they have fur, whiskers, and a heart that simply... knows.
