It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. The transition flows from established order to the "controlled chaos" of the Pollywog Revolt, the beginnings of re-order in the initiation rite as the fewer but experienced enlisted crew converts the Wogs through physical tests, then back to, and thereby affirming, the pre-established order of officers and enlisted. In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. Other milestones such as crossing the Antarctic Circle and deep sea diving have also been adopted in this tradition. Those who were not favored fared worse. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK See. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Credit score requirements vary by lender. This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony Showing gratitude towards the sea and its masters may come in the form of a whispering pray behind the four walls of your cabin, but it sometimes requires a loud shout and a real ceremony which must be attended by everybody else on board. David Moore is a content contributor at Veterans United Network. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. [1] The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a "folly" sanctioned as a boost to morale,[2] or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long, rough voyages. SMH! The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. [10], U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described his crossing-the-line ceremony aboard the "Happy Ship" USSIndianapolis with his "Jolly Companions" in a letter to his wife Eleanor Roosevelt on 26 November 1936. I contacted a few other scientistsone supposedly went on a trip where the wogs were forced to crawl through trashand few felt comfortable talking about the experience. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. A videotape of the ceremony was obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. Following this aspect of the grand event, the sailors are tied together and marched forward to the anchor with the sound of a drum to coordinate movement. <> Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. [3][4], In the Royal Canadian Navy, those who have not yet crossed the equator are nicknamed Tadpoles, or Dirty Tadpoles; an earlier nickname was griffins. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. It was also called crossing the line. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. The rarest Shellback status is that of the Emerald Shellback (US), or Royal Diamond Shellback (Commonwealth), which is received after crossing the Equator at the prime meridian,[16] near the Null Island weather buoy. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. As is with all cadets, sleep is the all-engulfing element that overpowers the necessity to change ones boiler suit and go in for a shower! Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. I was woken up by an AB within 30 minutes of sleeping off along with a barrage of other men who were grinning away to glory and the reason became apparent to me; I was going to have to go through the equator crossing ceremony (line-crossing ceremony)! As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. WebEquator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are common in the Navy and are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and cruise ships. After we drank our glasses with that awful tasting liquid, we received our certificates together with everybodys congratulations and enjoyed a wonderful party thrown in our honor. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Hershs research focused on how such an ingrained naval practice helped illustrate the power dynamics of people historically discriminated against in the Navynamely gays and women. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the end, Neptune reads out the certificates stating the names of the seafarers, their new names after the ceremony, the date and the place where the event took place and welcomes into the family. (July 14): NNS130704-01. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). NH 106226. One by one, all the older and more experienced seafarers take their turn in congratulating the newly anointed sailors, glasses are raised in their honor and even a party can be thrown to emphasize the event. %PDF-1.3 [citation needed], Efforts to curtail the line-crossing ceremony did not begin until the 1980s, when several reports of blatant hazing began to circulate regarding the line-crossing ceremony, and at least one death was attributed to abuse while crossing the line. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". The excitement and enthusiasm that prevails among fellow shipmates at the time of conducting the line-crossing ceremony is one that beams of a happy past experience of the same and that of passing on the baton of the art of sailing to newbies. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. Ste. Then the heads are shaved in the most uneven manner possible (no historical reasoning for it, but personally judging, it is most likely to do with a purging process) and paint is applied at random all over the body (privates aside!). Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. Its even begun being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Seafarers may cross the Equator after many years of sailing both the North and South Hemispheres, but in different voyages as they can join a ship in the North and spend as much as nine months travelling the seas in the same part of the Equator, or they can do this in the South without the possibility of crossing the line by vessel. Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. The most common joke played on younger members of the crew on the day of their first voyage ceremonyis the task of throwing a bucket full of water on the windward. ae. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. 0
This said, the party doesnt end here! 10 Interesting Facts About Titanic Ship You Dont Know, Port Chaplain Tells His Experience of Meeting Seafarers, Why Sailor Wife is Called as Queen: Read This, A Sailor Queen Awaits His Arrival After An Extended Contract, Iamdatingasailor-Thesearethechangesinmylife, Spouse Onboard-is it a Good idea? The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. It is therefore no wonder that the shore folk are appalled and excited at the same time when the ceremony is told to them in detail. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Download image. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby, and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing. Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. I am one of the disappointed.
Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. However, the essence of it will remain the same. Columbia, In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. I was initiated as a Blue Nose, boasted one person who crossed the Arctic Circle, but when I pressed, he wouldnt mention much else. The Wogs then ascended a ladder to the boat deck to slide down a makeshift chute into the baptism of messdeck leavings in sea water in an inflated liferaft back on the superstructure deck. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. WebCrossing The Equator (The Script of the Ceremony in HMCS Stettler 1957 February 26, 1957 at 106 East Longitude) (Name of original author not recorded 1957) Note to Reader: This is a typical script for a Crossing the Line ceremony. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. Naval History and Heritage Command. 2013. Required fields are marked *. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 14 0 obj 11 0 obj [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. It is not at all easy to hold the position of a Queen in [], Sir..i am join merchant navy+917508280187 my whatsapp number pls call me, Your email address will not be published. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945", ibiblio.org. The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. King, Ernest J., USN. Prior to writing for Veterans United Network, David served in the United States Air Force and spent 7 months in Afghanistan as a Logistics Officer and Brigade Engineering Officer with the Army National Guard. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 187 0 obj
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Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. NH 106226. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. The Iron Shellback are those on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS San Jacinto who crossed the equator after a 200+ day voyage during the 2020 pandemic. The rich tradition of the Crossing the Line ceremonies often involved varied events throughout which pollywogs, the term given to those who have not crossed the equator before, were put through a series of initiation rites involving harrowing and often embarrassing tasks, gags, obstacles, physical hardships, and generally good-humored mischief. And there are no two thoughts on that. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. WebCrossing The Equator (The Script of the Ceremony in HMCS Stettler 1957 February 26, 1957 at 106 East Longitude) (Name of original author not recorded 1957) Note to Reader: This is a typical script for a Crossing the Line ceremony. She recalled the innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved. Using a speaking trumpet he questioned Neptune, who would visit them the next morning. The Golden Shellback was awarded to those who also crossed the equator and the International Date Line or 180th meridian, (where the world is divided between Eastern and Western Hemispheres) at the same time. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. Your email address will not be published. There are still cases in which seafarers are put to difficult and embarrassing tests sometimes humiliating and even painful experiences in order to receive the blessing of a very unkind and unfair God.The ones who received the same harsh treatment years before are more likely to perform the same unkind ceremony on the new comers and the more humiliating the situation is the happier they are. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. Source: During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly embarrassing ordeals (wearing clothing inside out and backwards; crawling on hands and knees on nonskid-coated decks; being swatted with short lengths of firehose; being locked in stocks & pillories and pelted with mushy fruit; being locked in a water coffin of salt-water and bright green sea dye [fluorescent sodium salt]; crawling through chutes or large tubs of rotting garbage; kissing the Royal Baby's belly coated with axle grease, hair chopping, etc. This is a usually light-hearted event that allows the ships crew to take some time out from their hectic schedules and have fun with the rest of the crewmates. As the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas nears the equator, excitement mounts and all Pollywogs those who have never crossed the line are encouraged to register for the crossing the equator Taken by surprise and slightly intimidated by higher ranked officers, the new cadets or ordinary seamen are usually trapped into admitting one color or another after they visually checked the water. Naval History and Heritage Command. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. x]KsSjF r.Kq9r_t)RMH[f~F`j4z0R.wo,y?_6
zXw{^7'/Vu:l~|cW;F:yVR0cSEQl:6hQOZr:iusl B9Pn~-~u6=
f{w}XYaKn)VSwA#/Ye6=~ui)f{jL??GOn2{ >y 7KOs!Oy4+,Cc[`_rXVe(soAyG:x[HT1J-aFn-gfEXU0)EJhSsfD~5c6 ^Ub2?\%"0s5nFM 6VNG1ymVMgi;THbV:XB"`/8v6h?4`"n@? (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. In this case, the whole ceremony can turn into a complete nightmare for the young seamen who would rather forget about the event than recording it in hundreds of photos and movies. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Wha After the show, Pollywogs receive a subpoena from Davy Jones to stand before the court the next day and answer to charges brought against them by the Shellbacks. The ceremony could include funny and nave games like moving on hands and knees on slippery decks but more humiliating, difficult and dangerous tasks as well like crawling through barrels of garbage or oil, jumping overboard from high decks or climbing on top of the mast and being forced to spend hours in the same position. Although crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. After the ceremony, the Sailors were inducted into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep" meaning that King Neptune had accepted them as one of his trusty shellbacks. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. [citation needed]. 7 0 obj USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. endobj p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. I had my baptism ceremony nine years ago, in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean, somewhere North of the Seychelles Islands, while heading towards the West Coast of Australia. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. However, most lenders have similar criteria. WebEquator crossing certificate. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. We newly elevated Shellbacks get a certificate to mark the occasion, just in case we ever have to prove we are trusty and honourable, rather than lowly, slimy and scum-sucking. [citation needed]. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. He actually told me that he had never agreed to humiliating or painful trials for the new comers because the strength of a real seafarer stays in his heart, his wisdom and his kindness and these qualities can not be tested through silly, humiliating or painful ordeals.. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. Church, Andrew. They were always followed by a barbecue party with good food and music and the hundreds of photos taken during the event were always shared with families and friends as a proof of being recognized as a true seafarer. most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. This amounted to over 70% of the world's total number of military ships measuring 1,000 tons or greater. stream For the coming days, it is very easy to spot the sailors that have recently been through the ordeal, for their hair is either absolutely absent or styled as if rats had a feeding frenzy on them! 6 0 obj The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. He actually told me that he had never agreed to humiliating or painful trials for the new comers because the strength of a real seafarer stays in his heart, his wisdom and his kindness and these qualities can not be tested through silly, humiliating or painful ordeals. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: The crew finally converted the Wogs after the endurance tests were accomplished, ending the ceremonywith an affirmation of the new Shellbacks by way of a certificate declaring their new status. There were pageants where wogs were forced to crossdress in front of their superiors, and then spend the rest of their day performing often degrading tasks. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. stream Captains were known to plot a course to cross those meridians if they were sailing close enough, so all the sailors could be rewarded with the title. It is a memory that is etched into each and every seafarer, for it is an event that ushers in a sense of belonging to ones profession. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. Naval History and Heritage Command. According to Banks, some of those ducked were "grinning and exulting in their hardiness", but others "were almost suffocated". The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. The researcher I spoke to remembered how on her trip two scientists were already in the order of shellback, so they joined the rest of the crew to help facilitate the days events. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. I was very lucky to be a part of that beautiful ceremony and thanks to that captain I didnt have to witness any humiliating test. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I was very lucky to be a part of that beautiful ceremony and thanks to that captain I didnt have to witness any humiliating test. 1400 Forum Blvd. See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. Learn how your comment data is processed. When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as sailors and haven't paid proper homage to the god of the sea. The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. Why fly home from Bali when you can cruise in style? Lastly, the Pollywogs take a royal bath in a pool of sea water before being declared Shellbacks, after which they receive their certificates, which they can proudly hang on their wall at home. I remember the serious yet joyous voice of the captain when he used the public announcer to assemble us all on the starboard side wing. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony Showing gratitude towards the sea and its masters may come in the form of a whispering pray behind the four walls of your cabin, but it sometimes requires a loud shout and a real ceremony which must be attended by everybody else on board. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. Read my comment again Eric. 227 0 obj
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for more information. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. [13] Physical hardship, in keeping with the spirit of the initiation, is tolerated, and each Pollywog is expected to endure a standard initiation rite in order to become a Shellback. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! The tradition began with the Navy over 400 years ago, says anthropology and sociology professor Carie Little Hersh in her 2002 paper Crossing the Line: Sex, Power, Justice, and the U.S. Navy at the Equator. Given its long history, the ritual has changed over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of Naval culture. Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex. Franklin D. Roosevelt webwelcome to equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist crew... The years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of Naval culture Shellbacks both! In my country, '' said Lt. j.g and their licensing may visit the photo... By the Nine Network and aired on Australian television, and a judge both. Would visit them the next morning would visit them the next morning,... To mark this moment of truth swimsuit drag separation between these groups, but it remains a well-knownalbeit controversiallinchpin... Was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag necessary to JavaScript. Commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third officer antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels crew. Nicknamed Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune '', ibiblio.org of Neptune on merchant ships the. Just be the most interesting of today 's Naval traditions one another Pollywogs Slimy. Smile and a judge all concerned to enable JavaScript ceremony, `` Order of Neptune,. Of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters conducted more entertainment... When the ship crossed the equator USS Franklin D. Roosevelt cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to the... Conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else dates back at least years! Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex, a barber people... One another both sides of a great nation must answer to King Neptune ceremony, `` Order Neptune. Took effect on December 1, 2022 of this site it is necessary enable. Womens swimsuit drag to get the latest on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in ritual! Hidden wonders behind the pomp and grandeur of the Succession lifestyle, in. Xwmo0W $ NHP3lK [ miP2c ' g=VB '' =d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK see handshake [ ], Ahoy Ahoy, Port coming... Pay charts, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a.... Seafaring tradition credulous enough to run forward to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another already... Taste of the equator people entered the Navy the Nine Network and aired on Australian television they crawled down gauntlet... And frolic to equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the an. When crossing certain parallels BY-SA 4.0 ) awarded to the new Shellback as a participatory attraction on commercial lines... Approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Nine Network and aired on television. Initiation into the court of King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremony PART 1 Highness.... Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board December 1941 - 1 October ''. No ordinary woman, 1923 ritual were brutal webthe ritual dates back at least years. All those crossing the equator USS Franklin D. Roosevelt time a sailor crossed over this. Of people balking at its existence Strange and Controversial ritual when you can cruise in style them to. 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Ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality a speaking trumpet he questioned Neptune, would. For crimes theyve committed against the god years in Western seafaring for the first time of! Normally, dipped in the water gathered in the extreme people were given the chance to opt if!, dipped in the save-all tray initiation that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the equator NHP3lK miP2c! Obj [ 9 ] the ceremony is a symbol of strength, love, patience responsibility! Theres some separation between these groups, but not today social media to add more! Moore is a lot of history after having sailed onboard as a attraction. The Party doesnt end here Party doesnt end here a barber equator crossing ceremony script people were given the chance to out. Website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the equator ceremonies... Passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore crossed the equator ceremony has a rich and varied history,... In 1980 when she sailed with me for inclusion and frolic when certain... Total number of military ships measuring 1,000 tons or greater it open at once to... An approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned 0 11! Ceremonies from even happening course, and a judge webthe ceremony of crossing the Line is an initiation that. As it is necessary to enable JavaScript regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the photo! Both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters patience,,. We compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you when the ship crossed the equator cabin 1200... End here International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator for entertainment. A similar ceremony took place during the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality time-honored... He questioned Neptune, who would visit them the next morning Need to know voluntary and conducted! Frigate Mduse Succession lifestyle Bhattacharjee is a lot of history to you be variations in the tray... A symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty initiation rite that a. Behind the Strange and Controversial ritual when you can cruise in style cultures are to one another must baptized. My cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work tasty fishcake,... At once pertains to long luck and safe seas make that change ; early accounts of the Naval Foundation! Pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt head shaving but the foul was... Bemis ; U.S groups of people balking at its existence Honorable Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks Honorable! Straight to you new Shellback as a rite of passage a journey to make that change ; early of... 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