The Ship's Cat
Like most ships in the Royal Navy there was an animal mascot. HMS Natal's pet mascot was a Norwegian cat called Rudolph. This cat must have been a favourite with the crew as he was photographed several times.
Unfortunately, he became one of the casualties when the ship sank. He was remembered however in some local newspaper articles, notably in the Southend and Westcliff Graphic (Essex).
Newspaper cutting in Author's Collection
Rudolph: HMS Natal's cat
Postcard in the Author's Collection
This picture must have been taken in 1914 or early 1915.
