Rats Leave Ship and River Boat Paris C. Brown Disappears
by There are many stories about rats foretelling tragedy on board ship and numerous methods of ridding a place of rats. The story of the riverboat that sunk without trace is certainly a mystery that has never been solved. Did the rats know something that the crew did not?
In many countries of the world there are strange and unbelievable stories and beliefs about rats and their habits and abilities. They are even said to be able to free each other from traps by gnawing at caught tails, or actually springing the trap open so that their fellow rats can get free from it.
People actually claim to have seen rats in groups, combining their strength to carry stolen eggs back to their nest. The description does sound rather bizarre but witnesses say that one rat lies in its back and holds onto the egg with its feet, while the others pull it across the floor by its tail, thus transporting rat and egg.
There are many ways to rid a building of rats and in New England, US it was claimed that writing a firm letter to the unwanted guests would make them move out. The letter told them that there was a much better, more comfortable house close by, which they might prefer to live in.
After writing a convincing letter, the paper was well greased with meat fat to make it smell and taste nice, and it was pushed into the rat hole. The rats relished the taste and soon ate the letter. The belief was that as the paper was digested by the rats, so were the words written on it. The rats would get the idea and move out. (Or perhaps they might wait in the hope of another tasty mail delivery right to their door.)
Source: Wikipedia
Rats jumping off and leaving a sinking ship are a symbol of someone escaping from ill fortune. Rats were said to predict disasters aboard ships. One of the stories about this features three sailor on a river boat which ran between Cincinnati and Louisiana in 1889. The three men saw the rats leaving the ship in July of that year, so, in blind panic, they jumped ship too and ran for their lives. They were the only survivors of the river boat ‘Paris C. Brown’ which sailed but was never heard of again. No wreckage of the boat was ever found and the boat had totally disappeared.
The ‘Paris C. Brown’ had literally disappeared along with passengers and crew.
Could it be that the rats sensed something really dreadful was about to happen and that was why they ran away?
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Post CommentR J Evans
On July 12, 2009 at 7:38 am
Cool article – I am one of those people who actually like rats (but NIMBY!)
clay hurtubise
On July 12, 2009 at 8:01 am
Rats, I was going to write about that!
Fun piece.
Thanks,
clay
sheba
On July 12, 2009 at 9:22 am
Rats are good pets. I don’t see why they have to be used for food DUMB SNAKES!! Thanks for sharing! Enjoyable read!
Patrick Bernauw
On July 12, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Great story!
Inna Tysoe
On July 12, 2009 at 2:12 pm
That’s an interesting piece and a fun read.
Thanks!
Inna
Diverseblogger
On July 12, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Really interesting article. Keep them coming!
George W Whitehead
On July 12, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Interesting and enjoyable article, Louie. It has been scientifically proven that rats are highly intelligent. On the other hand, a lot of the rats that I’ve come across in my time are retards!
Chris Stonecipher
On July 12, 2009 at 6:36 pm
I would be one of those like the cartoons where I would get on a table with a broom when I see rats or mice.
Paul Roberts
On July 12, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Animals have a sense of survival, we can learn from them. Friend, fan, smile
Glynis Smy
On July 13, 2009 at 4:19 am
The image of the rat on its back and then being transported with egg, made me smile. Great article.
Ruby Hawk
On July 13, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I have read (and thought it true) that rats would always leave a doomed ship.I have also heard they would chew off a leg to get out of a trap.Interesting little animals as long as they stay away from my house.
Lex92
On July 13, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Rats are interesting to say the least… still scare me.. One time my mom was taking out the clothes from the dryer and two rats jumped out of the bushel at her… it was freaky… couldn’t sleep for a week or so. Great article
Daisy Peasblossom
On July 14, 2009 at 1:28 pm
I don’t like meeting wild rats; but I enjoyed playing with my grandson’s pet rat, Silk. They are very interesting, intelligent creatures.