Chartinator,
You probably did not realize when you left the ship, the ship's cat chose to follow along for the adventure. I hope to bring us good luck as my ancestor did.....
"The origin of the black cat and good luck is believed to have begun in Ancient Egypt with the sacred black cat of Oagans--BAST. BAST, a goddess of Egypt, reigned in the 22nd Dynasty and was the official deity of Egypt. Many courted her favors, by procuring black cats into their households; believing that she would become part of that cat in spirit, and grace the home with riches and prosperity".
Cat
Back in ancient days, the Druids thought black cats were human beings.