Ship cats are not a specific breed but refer to cats that make their living on ships.
Many ports, including Suzhou Port, faced rat problems.
Rats scurrying in the harbors not only gnawed on goods. Once they escaped onto ships, they also spread diseases, damaged the hulls, caused leaks, and disturbed the crew's rest.
Therefore, many ships harbored creatures known as ship cats.
Ship cats had a somewhat egalitarian relationship with humans. During the day, ship cats would enjoy the fish caught by the crew, and at night, they hunted the unrestrained mice in the ship's cabins.
When a ship docked, it needed repairs and maintenance. The crew needed to go home to rest, and the ship cats also disembarked to live as wild cats for a while, awaiting the next sea voyage.
When Li Ang first came to Suzhou, the city guide had told him about one of the city's peculiar sights: the port docks, where many wild cats often lingered.
