Do Rats Really Flee a Sinking Ship?

There is a common myth that rats flee a sinking ship, but this isn’t the whole truth. They aren’t possessed of any extra sensory powers, but their ability to sense danger is enough for them to get out of troubled areas. Rats are the deepest inhabitants of a ship and as water begins to seep in, they are the first to realize that the ship is in danger. They raise the alarm and eventually other rats join in and jump off the ship.

The idea of rats fleeing a sinking ship has several sources. Originally, the phrase referred to a deteriorating house on the verge of collapse. Rats and mice were said to sense when a structure is about to fall. This idea caught on in the early 17th century as a metaphor for escaping danger.

A sinking ship metaphor describes a situation when people abandon a project when it seems that the outcome will not be positive. It has been around for over four centuries, but it has evolved and taken on many different interpretations. Earlier versions of the term were often applied to political scandals and other issues, such as the failure of a ship.

Rats have a long history at seaports. They are attracted to the smell of food and other food resources. They also seek warmth and comfort. On a cruise ship, these features are undoubtedly all too appealing for rats.