A Fateful Start
Oscar, nicknamed “Unsinkable Sam,” was a cat who made history during World War II. His story became legendary after surviving the sinking of three ships in just one year. Sam’s incredible journey began aboard the German battleship Bismarck, where he served as a ship’s cat during the infamous 1941 mission, Operation Rheinübung.
From Bismarck to Cossack
After the Bismarck sank following a fierce battle, Sam was found floating on a board and rescued by the British destroyer HMS Cossack. His good luck did not last long—on October 24, 1941, Cossack was also torpedoed and sank, but Sam survived once again, proving his resilience.
The Ark Royal Disaster
In November 1941, Sam was transferred to the HMS Ark Royal, which was also torpedoed and sank during its return from Malta. Sam was found clinging to a plank, miraculously unharmed despite the chaos.
A Safe Haven
After surviving the sinking of three ships, Sam was retired and lived out the rest of his life in safety, first in Gibraltar and later in the United Kingdom, where he died in 1955. His tale remains a symbol of survival against all odds.
Oscar, known as "Unsinkable Sam," was a cat who survived the sinking of three ships during World War II. He began his remarkable journey aboard the German battleship Bismarck, and his survival against all odds made him a legend in naval history…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/LyK1nUevJe
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) April 7, 2025