Lewis, Val. Ship’s cats in war and peace, Nauticalia, G2 Entertainment, 2010.

Author Val Lewis has provided a thoroughly researched account of seagoing cats from ancient times to the present.  The book covers cats whose job is to control vermin on cargo and naval ship’s, such as Able Seaman Simon of HMS Amethyst, who was awarded the Dickin Medal (the animals’ VC) for killing vermin in the ship’s stores, to feline companions who accompany long distance sailing adventurers.  This book features the stories of 91 seagoing felines from history and legend, some who are purebred whilst others are just moggies, all of whom show great self-reliance and adaptability to life on board.