Monkeys and dogs and bears, oh my!
Many brave and brilliant people have served on NOAA ships — but did you know that their loyal pets and mascots used to serve with them?
![Billy the bear cub, a pet on the USC&GSS Gedney, makes a mess as he drinks from a can. (Image credit: NOAA) Billy the bear cub, a pet on the USC&GSS Gedney, makes a mess as he drinks from a can.](/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_width_1275/public/2024-06/Billymakingamess1912_theb369139257_CC.jpg?h=141c0084&itok=TpcS5bDE)
Billy the bear cub, a pet on the USC&GSS Gedney, makes a mess, c. 1912. (Image credit: NOAA)
Give a round-of-a-paws for these U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Ships’ (USC&GSS) furry friends from the last century.
Warning! Times were different back then. Although these photos are charming, NOAA does not recommend keeping animals — especially bears — on ships!
USC&GSS Research mascots, 1906
![The two canine mascots of the USC&GS Steamer Research stand on their hind legs in front of a life preserver. (Image credit: NOAA) The two canine mascots of the USC&GS Steamer Research stand on their hind legs in front of a life preserver.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/TheshipsmascotsontheResearch1906_theb326449946.jpg?h=4a544613&itok=LcxcG8Mq)
Who wouldn’t want these two fine pups as their mascots? They served aboard the USC&GSS Research. The 95-foot steamer was assigned to the Philippines from 1901 to 1918.
Billy and Jack: Pet and mascot of the USC&GSS Gedney, c. 1912
![L.O. Colbert hand feeds Billy the bear on the deck of the USC&GSS Gedney. (Image credit: NOAA) L.O. Colbert hand feeds Billy the bear on the deck of the USC&GSS Gedney.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/LOColbertwithBlackbearcubon1912GEDNEY_theb368839257.jpg?h=e3d1628c&itok=8sx_uw5K)
L.O. Colbert feeds Billy, the Gedney’s pet black bear cub. Colbert would go on to serve as the third director of the USC&GS during WWII. Billy’s rank remains unknown.
![Jack, the canine mascot of the USC&GS Gedney, poses inside a life preserver. (Image credit: NOAA) Jack, the canine mascot of the USC&GS Gedney, poses inside a life preserver.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/JackthemascotoftheGEDNEY_3theb69752562_CC.jpg?h=d282891b&itok=SYtVqc2j)
Jack was the mascot of the Gedney. There is no record of how he got along with Billy the Bear.
USC&GSS Marinduque family and pet, 1914
![USC&GSS Marinduque crew members, family, and pet miniature poodle poses together on the ship's deck. (Image credit: NOAA) USC&GSS Marinduque crew members, family, and pet miniature poodle poses together on the ship's deck.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_856/public/2024-06/WiveschildrenandpetsaccompaniedtheshipsintheearlydaysonthesternoftheMARINDUQUE1914_theb323947330.jpg?h=d8606fed&itok=Kz6M2IZQ)
In the early days of the USC&GS, families and their pets accompanied crew aboard ships. This ship, the Marinduque, served in the Philippines. Could the pet pictured here be the dangerous, man-eating South Pacific miniature poodle?!
Pet monkey on the USC&GSS Marinduque, 1924
![LTJG George L. Anderson aboard the USC&GSS Marinduque, 1924. The monkey sits on his shoulder, as he looks down at it. (Image credit: NOAA) LTJG George L. Anderson aboard the USC&GSS Marinduque, 1924. The monkey sits on his shoulder, as he looks down at it.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/GeorgeLAndersonwithapetmonkeyontheMARINDUQUE1924_theb322584854.jpg?h=e13b55a7&itok=fwVxJcWl)
A decade later aboard the Marinduque we meet Lieutenant Junior Grade George L. Anderson as he gazes lovingly at the ship’s pet monkey. Anderson joined the USC&GS in 1923, served with the Navy in World War II, and retired from the USC&GS as a Captain in 1954.
![Ken Crosby poses with the USC&GSS Marinduque’s pet monkey. He stands looking forward, with the monkey perched on his arm. (Image credit: NOAA) Ken Crosby poses with the USC&GSS Marinduque’s pet monkey. He stands looking forward, with the monkey perched on his arm.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/KenCrosbywithapetmonkeyonMARINDUQUE1924_theb322437836.jpg?h=d7c53e84&itok=Al9I3VvI)
More monkeying around! Here we find Ken Crosby as the Marinduque’s pet monkey is perched on Crosby’s arm. Crosby joined the USC&GS in 1923 and rose to the rank of Captain.
USC&GSS Cosmos pet deer, 1926
![Four crew members of the USC&GSS Cosmos gather around their pet deer on the aft of the launch. (Image credit: NOAA) Four crew members of the USC&GSS Cosmos gather around their pet deer on the aft of the launch.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_856/public/2024-06/ThesurveylaunchCOSMOShasapetdeer1926_ship080129763.jpg?h=64c417d8&itok=DUr8PnzE)
Have you ever seen a deer at sea? The survey launch Cosmos had one as a pet!
Pet Arctic fox on the USC&GSS Pioneer, 1941
![Crewman Alaskin stands with the USC&GSS Pioneer’s pet fox on his shoulder. (Image credit: NOAA) Crewman Alaskin stands with the USC&GSS Pioneer’s pet fox on his shoulder.](/sites/default/files/styles/default_width_428/public/2024-06/CrewmanAlaskinwithpetbluefoxonshoulderPIONEER_theb369452562.jpg?h=17cce250&itok=QtosxstO)
The USC&GSS Pioneer’s pet Arctic fox seems quite content on crewman Alaskin’s shoulder.