Famous Animals—Unsinkable Sam

Practice manager
Apr 24
2 min read

Some animals earn their place in history through bravery, loyalty or simply being in the right place at the right time. One particularly extraordinary cat became a symbol of resilience and survival during World War II. Known as Unsinkable Sam, this black-and-white feline survived not one, not two, but three shipwrecks—earning legendary status among sailors and animal lovers alike.

A Cat with Nine (Thrice-Tested) Lives

Unsinkable Sam’s real name is believed to have been Oscar. His story begins aboard the German battleship Bismarck, one of the most formidable warships of its time. On May 27, 1941, the Bismarck was sunk by the British Royal Navy. Of the more than 2,000 crew members on board, only 118 survived. Among them—amazingly—was a cat found floating on a board, described as "angry but quite unharmed."

The British destroyer HMS Cossack, which had helped sink the Bismarck, rescued the feline and brought him aboard. The crew affectionately named him Oscar, and he quickly became a ship mascot.

Shipwreck #2: HMS Cossack

For the next few months, Oscar sailed with the crew of the Cossack, offering companionship and boosting morale. Unfortunately, tragedy struck again. In October 1941, the Cossack was torpedoed by a German U-boat while escorting a convoy. The ship was badly damaged and later sank while being towed back to port. This time, more than 150 crew members were lost.

But once again, Oscar survived.

(Photo credit: Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation)

Retirement and Legacy

After his third close brush with death, it was decided that Oscar—now fittingly nicknamed "Unsinkable Sam"—had earned his rest. He was brought ashore and retired to the offices of the Governor of Gibraltar before eventually being taken to the United Kingdom. He spent the remainder of his life in peace at a home for retired seamen in Belfast, where he passed away in 1955.

An artist even painted his portrait, which is now part of the UK’s National Maritime Museum collection.

More Than Just a Legend

Whether every detail of Unsinkable Sam’s tale is perfectly factual or has grown into legend over the years, his story has inspired countless people. He symbolises survival, resilience and perhaps a touch of wartime superstition. For those who believe cats have nine lives, Unsinkable Sam certainly seemed to use up a few!