Uncle Dick and Lisa's Old Time Animal Tales

“Are rats destructive? Well,” said a captain of a merchantman. “I once knew them to get through $5,000 worth of stuff in five days.
“Japan does an immense trade with China in cocoons, and the first time I carried such a cargo they were packed in sacks. When we got to Hong Kong we found that the rats had discovered that part of a cocoon was good to eat, and the bill for their board came to $5,000. The ship owners were sued for that amount; but, the packing being considered faulty, the claim was disallowed. It was the first and last cocoon feast the rats had, for ever since Japan has packed cocoons in zinc lined cases.
“Every time a ship gets back to Liverpool a rat catcher is set to clearing out the rats, but by the time we have loaded up again the rodents are every bit as numerous. In some ports we use rat guards on the ropes, and the ship is always fumigated before taking a cargo of fruit or tea. But there is no getting rid of them entirely.” London Graphic.