All paws on deck! Check out these furry friends from our former ships

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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.

Billy the bear cub, a pet on the USC&GSS Gedney, makes a mess, c. 1912. (Image credit: NOAA)

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Black and white photo of a woman launching a weather balloon.

NOAA Heritage Homepage

Black and white photo of a woman launching a weather balloon.

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.
The two canine mascots of the USC&GS Steamer Research, 1906. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
L.O. Colbert and Billy the bear cub aboard the USC&GSS Gedney, c. 1912. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
Jack, the canine mascot of the USC&GS Gedney, c. 1912. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
USC&GSS Marinduque crew members, family, and pet miniature poodle, 1914. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
LTJG George L. Anderson aboard the USC&GSS Marinduque, 1924. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
Ken Crosby poses with the USC&GSS Marinduque’s pet monkey. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
Crew members of the USC&GSS Cosmos with their pet deer. (Image credit: NOAA)
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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.
Crewman Alaskin with the USC&GSS Pioneer’s pet fox. (Image credit: NOAA)
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The USC&GSS Pioneer’s pet Arctic fox seems quite content on crewman Alaskin’s shoulder.

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Black and white photo of a woman launching a weather balloon.