Ahoy, Cat Captain: Feisty Pics of Brave Kitties Who Sailed the Seven Seas and Had Actual Passports Signed With Purrfect Paw Prints

We're well aware of the fact that cats are as helpful as they are adorable — they eat the bugs in your house, even when it's gross (okay fine, it's always gross) and bring you unwanted presents from outside if they're allowed to wander about in your yard… and obviously, they make for some great fluffy friends, too. Cats are known to be afraid of water, so we found it quite surprising to see that some of them are actually quite brave in this regard.

Below you will find some courageous e kitties, who were not actually afraid of water (or at least, boats). See, sailors and cats have a unique relationship that dates back thousands of years. They served as great companions on long voyages and took care of the rats and mice. It seems it was also quite common for crews to adopt cuties from foreign lands they visited.

These felines had actual passports, with — wait for it — their paw prints! We know, it's adorably crazy. You can scroll down and check out the fun history lesson, as well as the wholesome furry felines. You're also welcome to click here for some derpy serotonin.

Posted by Eleonora Bader

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Sailor with a cute cat.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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Via strangest
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‘Miss Hap’ a two-week-old Korean kitten, who was kindly fed by Marine Sergeant Frank Praytor. He adopted the adorable kitten, and thanks to this photo, received marriage proposals from all over the United States it’s appearance in 1,700 newspapers.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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These French sailors are photographed playing with a fluffy sweetheart.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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Meet ‘Bilgewater,’ the mascot of the Coast Guard Academy, circa 1944.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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A cat by the name of ‘Wockle’, as seen on the capstan in Venice, Italy, 1924-25.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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This picture of the USS Pensacola was taken in February 1888. The apprentices onboard had mascots - cats and dogs!

Via U.S Naval Institute
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Meet 'Pooli,’ as she prepares to celebrate her 15th birthday. This picture was taken in Los Angeles, 1959.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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July, 1944 - This picture is of Pilots on a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier, playing with the ship’s mascot.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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These are the cats of the USS Mississippi (BB-41), and this picture was taken in 1925.

Via U.S Naval Institute
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Two adorable felines, unknown place and time.

Via U.S Naval Institute