Mrs Chippy facts for kids
Mrs Chippy on the shoulder of crew member Perce Blackborow
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| Species | Cat |
|---|---|
| Breed | Felis catus |
| Sex | male |
| Died | 29 October 1915 Antarctica |
| Years active | 1914–1915 |
| Owner | Harry McNish |
| Appearance | Mackerel tabby |
Mrs Chippy was a brave male ship's cat who sailed with Sir Ernest Shackleton on his amazing journey to Antarctica from 1914 to 1917. He was a special "ship's cat," which means he lived on the ship and helped keep the crew company.
Contents
Mrs Chippy's Life
Mrs Chippy was a tiger-striped tabby cat. He joined the ship called the Endurance, which was used by Shackleton's team exploring the Weddell Sea. The ship's carpenter, Harry McNish, brought Mrs Chippy along. Harry McNish was often called "Chippy," which is a common nickname for carpenters in Britain. The cat got his name because he followed McNish everywhere, just like an overly helpful wife!
A Surprising Discovery
About a month after the ship began its journey to Antarctica, the crew made a funny discovery. Even though his name was Mrs Chippy, the cat was actually a boy! But by then, everyone loved the name, so it stuck.
The crew thought Mrs Chippy was "full of character." He amazed them with his special skill: he could walk along the ship's narrow, inch-wide rails even when the sea was very rough. Captain Frank Worsley wrote in his diary that Mrs Chippy could climb the ship's ropes "exactly after the manner of a seaman going aloft." This means he climbed just like a sailor!
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An Unexpected Swim
Mrs Chippy's trip was not always smooth sailing. On September 13, 1914, the ship's storekeeper, Thomas Orde-Lees, wrote in his diary about something unusual. He said, "An extraordinary thing happened during the night." Mrs Chippy jumped out of one of the cabin windows and into the ocean! The officer on watch, Hubert Hudson, heard the cat's cries. He quickly turned the ship around to rescue him. Mrs Chippy was in the cold water for more than 10 minutes. Luckily, the ship’s biologist, Robert Clark, was able to scoop him out using one of his special nets.
A Difficult Decision
Later, the Endurance became stuck in thick ice and was eventually crushed and destroyed. The crew had to leave the ship and try to survive in the harsh Antarctic environment. Sir Ernest Shackleton had to make some very tough choices to help his crew survive. He decided that Mrs Chippy and five of the sled dogs could not continue the journey. This was a very sad but necessary decision for the expedition's survival.
Remembering Mrs Chippy
Harry McNish, Mrs Chippy's owner, was very sad about losing his beloved cat. He never truly forgave Shackleton for the decision. McNish later passed away in Wellington, New Zealand, in September 1930. He was buried in an unmarked grave.
In 1959, the New Zealand Antarctic Society placed a headstone on his grave. Then, in 2004, they added a life-size bronze statue of Mrs Chippy to the headstone. People donated money to make this statue. It was a way to honor the brave carpenter and his much-loved cat.
In February 2011, Mrs Chippy and another expedition member, Perce Blackborow, were even featured on a postage stamp. This stamp was issued by the South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.
See also
In Spanish: Mrs. Chippy para niños
- List of individual cats
