Trim, The Cartographer's Cat

Trim, The Cartographer’s Cat celebrates the adventurous life of the world’s most beloved ship’s cat – companion to Captain Matthew Flinders during his historic circumnavigation and mapping of Australia. From swimming back on board a moving ship as a kitten to enduring shipwreck and imprisonment, Trim's loyalty and daring have earned him a place in naval legend – and six memorials, including one unveiled by Prince William.

At the heart of this charming volume is Flinders' own affectionate tribute to Trim, written while held captive on Mauritius. It’s reproduced here with light-hearted footnotes to help modern readers decode its literary references and nautical terms. The book also explores the historical context in which it was written, and offers a playful reflection on what Trim himself might have made of his legacy.

Illustrated with delightful artwork by Ad Long, historical maps, and excerpts from Flinders’ handwritten manuscripts, this is a warm and whimsical read for lovers of cats, maritime history and tall tales from the age of sail.

About the Authors

Gillian Dooley is an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Flinders University. A former Special Collections Librarian, she has spent nearly two decades researching and writing about Matthew Flinders.

Philippa Sandall is a writer and author of Seafurrers: The Ships’ Cats Who Lapped and Mapped the World. She specialises in uncovering the feline side of maritime history with wit and flair.

Praise for Trim, The Cartographer’s Cat

“Feline fans among us will utterly adore it.”
– RNLI Magazine