Mascots on board Naval Ships

[iwccc]

Can anyone enlighten me as to whether it was common practice to have animal mascots on board fighting naval ships.  I have reference to my grandfathers ship having a mascot goat on board. Would this have been common practice?  If not, any suggestions on why it would be there?  The goat was shot by enemy fire at the landing of Gallipoli.  Thank you

[philipsearching]

Cats were commonplace on ships (to control the rat population).  I have heard of dogs and birds as ship mascots, but I hadn't heard of a goat at war.

Interesting article: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/animal-mascots-once-sailed-navy-180957508/

(on a flippant note - maybe the Turks were fed up with lamb dinners and wanted to try goat for a change!) 

[iwccc]

Thanks phillpearchiwng for the link and information.  I have a photograph of the goat so I know it existed and that it was shot....just wondered how it got on board and was it a common idea to have a animal on board. Thanks for your help

[MaxD]

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2013/september/20/130920-artfuls-primate-mascot - would seem to suggest it was relatively common practice
The Royal Navy itself has a long and illustrious history of animal mascots, some even going to sea in times of war.

Comments from members of the pongo persuasion should be kept to themselves.

MaxD

[GrahamSimons]

These links might be of interest: great photo in the first one, mascot of a stone frigate in the other:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:%22Venus%22_the_bulldog_mascot_of_the_destroyer_HMS_VANSITTART,_1941._A3998.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Just_Nuisance

[MaxD]

And this which mentions getting goats at Malta
https://www.theguardian.com/science/animal-magic/2015/dec/07/barbara-polar-bear-cats-in-cannons-royal-navys-animal-mascots

Fresh milk/cheese, takes up less room than a cow.

MaxD

[iwccc]

Thanks GrahamSimons,  I appreciate your help.

[iwccc]

Thanks MaxD,  It would appear that having animals on board was a common practice.  thank you for the link