The "Cat" in the Navy.

Feilding Star, Volume XIX, Issue 108, 3 November 1897, Page 4

The " Cat " in the Navy.

A correspondent, writing home from Simons Town, gives particulars of " a peculiar case," as be describes it, which had jii9t occurred on board H.M.S. Penelope. This vessel is now used as a naval prison, and a marine serving on the special service ship Alecto had been sent to her for some breach of discipline. He, however, persistently refused to do any work while there, and in various other ways made himself very objectionable to the prison authorities. A", nothing else would have any effect npon him, it waa eventually decided to hare recourse to the "cai." The man was first medically examined, and being pronounced to be in sound health, both bodily and mentally, he was sentenced to recpive 12 lashes, and these were duly administered. " I have not heard," adds the writer, "how tbo victim has behaved since, but I have little doubt he has reconsidered his determination not to work, for a little of the ' cat ' goes a long way with men of his stamp."