cats were believed to have miraculous powers that could protect ships from dangerous weather. sometimes, fishermen's wives would keep black cats at home too. they believed that these cats would use their special powers to protect their husbands at sea. many sailors believed that it was lucky if a cat came up to a sailor on deck, but unlucky if it came only halfway and then turned around. another popular belief was that cats could start storms through magic stored in their tails. other sailors also believed that if a ship's cat fell or was thrown overboard, a terrible storm would come and sink the ship, and if the ship was able to survive, it would be cursed with nine years of bad luck. still other sailors thought that if a cat licked its fur against the grain, it meant a hail storm was coming; if it sneezed, rain was coming; and if it was frisky, wind was coming.