Famous Felines: Simon, of HMS Amethysts

Simon, of HMS Amethyst 

awarded the Dickin Medal for gallantry under enemy fire

"So, on the night of 30 July 1949, Amethyst left under cover of darkness, and after a further series of adventures and more damage from Communist guns on shore, made it to the open sea, to be met by HMS Concord. The ordeal was over, after 101 days. King George VI sent his congratulations and ordered that the mainbrace be spliced. On 1 August a special presentation was made on deck, representing what the whole crew had been through. While both officers and men stood at attention, Simon was held by a boy seaman while a citation was read out by P/O George Griffiths, and Able Seacat Simon was awarded the Amethyst campaign ribbon."

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Cat Quote of the day by Mark Twain

I simply can't resist a cat, particularly a purring one.
They are the cleanest, cunningest, and most intelligent things I know,
outside of the girl you love, of course.

-Mark Twain

Edgar Allan Poe and His Cat

Tidbit today:

Edgar Allan Poe lived in Philadelphia for about six years (1838-1844), spending his last year to 18 months at a house on North 7th Street. With him lived his beloved wife Virginia, his treasured mother-in-law Maria Clemm, and their adored feline, a tortoise-shell tabby(not a black cat) named Catterina.