New-York tribune., 1900-04-15
RATS ABOARD SHIP.

HOW THEY ARE CAUGHT-WATER IN THE HON
FOR THEM
From The New-Orleans Times-Democrat
Chatting with some friends last night the .a,
tain of a big freight steamer now taking !,
cargo at this port told some queer stories abor,
rats. 4 have the ship cleaned cur bv nrofss
siOnal rat catchers whenever We touch al Liv
erpcOl,' he said. and between times We nv +,
keep them down by trapping but its hard worE
We don't dare to use poison If We did the hoi
would soon be full of dead rats, and the starrs
would breed a fever. our traps are OF the min.
cage pattern. and considerable craft has N =
used in setting them, for a ship rat is a varz
cunning beast. and ne will steer clear Of dscors
that his landlubber brothers walk into with ne,
eyes wide open If We simply baited the tratS II
the ordinary way and left them about in IN
hold, we wouldn't catch a dozen in a wear ON
plan is this: On the first night we open the traU
doors and tie them in that position with bits b
string. so they can't possibly spring shut Thes
we put scraps of old cheese inside and Jsay.
them until the following evening. That's IA resS
sure the rats that the strange wire cOntrvsnest
are perfectly harmless. and that they may ensI
in with a certainty OF getting out again NsT
night we renew the bait and take off the string
and, as a general thing. We catch all that Ii
ca SeS Will hold. I have seen them so fun that
seemed impossible TO get another rat iusiz
which is pretty good evidence. as I take it, tha
they can't communicate with each other and
give the alarm There is nothing about th
trick describe: il is practised all big ships
when the rats get too bad.
AS long as the creatures have enough water
to drink continued the captain. lighting
| fresh cigar. they don't give the crew any par
ticular trouble and keep out of sight down n
the bowels of the ship Bu- thirst makes them
desperate, and then they become an unmitgsIad
nuisance, and will go boldly anywhere II
search of a drink. l have known them 70 IL
| wade the fOCastle in such numbers that thag
/ drove the sailors to the deck and al Ohs.
| times / have seen several hundred make con-
| bined rush for a water barrel. 1t would sur
prise most people unaccuStOmed TO seafarn
/ life TO know that water is usually kept IN ta
/ hold of cargo ships especially for the rats Us
/ done to keep them below and If for any TeaSG
/ the supply runs short there Is sure 70 2
! trouble. / said just now that when the eres.
ures were thirsty they would go anywhere, an
/ mean ii TO the letter They VIII climb u
rigging like monkeys. and il is a common TINS
\ for them TO go clear up TO the topSails looh1s
\ for the rainWater that aCCumulateS IN the osa-
\ or fold Of fUTled canvas. Last time was =
port I saw green sailor get the scare q Dc
| life. He had gone alOft 10 shake out The ml
| gallant, and, as he did so. four enormous IA
/ sprang out and ran UP one arm, ac7css =
| shoulders and down the other side. He vas :
startled that he let loose all holds. and Vol-
/ certainly have fallen to the deck il he naa1
prOvidentially caught on the foOttne As-
| OF the fO'castle hands make pets Of rats Gul-s
| long voyage, and it IS astonishing how eaS-.
| they can be tanned and made to perform trHs- =
When a professional catcher comes aboard =
| general raid there IS always a frantic s ra-s
| Ing up Of these pets to get them out OK hs'-
way until after the battle Is over.