The ship's mascot, a cat named Dowie, who was named after Captain Turner's predecessor, unexpectedly abandoned the Lusitania one fateful night. This action raised questions about whether Dowie was driven by a professional sense of unease or a more instinctive fear of the impending danger.

As the events unfolded, the departure of Dowie not only highlighted the unusual circumstances aboard the Lusitania but also served as a foreboding symbol of the disaster that was to come. The cat's flight suggests an instinctual response to the tense atmosphere, reflecting the growing sense of dread among those aboard.