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RAT PROGNOSTICATORS

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 17, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 38.

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RAT PROGNOSTICATORS.

The old superstition, which has grown into an adage, that rats desert a ship which is no longer seaworthy, is still an article of faith with the fresh-water sailors of the Great Lakes. Sundry well-authenticated instances seem to justify this belief. Here is one. The Vernon was a three-master which did a tramp business. Built in Buffalo in 1850, she was for many years regarded as one of the best craft on the lakes.
Late in the fall, about fifteen years ago, she unloaded a cargo of grain in Buffalo, and reloaded with package freight for Chicago. She was about to sail one rough November night, says a contributor to Household Words. Just before the lines were let off one of the seamen saw a rat run over the hawsers to the wharf. In a moment another was seen. The seaman called others of the crew to see the unusual sight. Between fifty and seventy-five rats poured out of the ship and took refuge along the wharf. The crew refused to sail, but the captain was obstinate, shipped a fresh crew, and sailed forthwith. The ship was lost with all hands.—Christian Advocate.