Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. 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. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. 11 0 obj The event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Once you are initiated, Hersh told me, you are then in the masculine position If youre a woman that doesnt make sense. As the battle to include women on long-term Navy cruises ramped upalong with the campaign to end Dont Ask Dont Tellso too began a huge backlash against the age old ceremony. As we approach the middle of the world, quite a few passengers rush to the rails for a look, as though there might be an actual line drawn on the ocean. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It was also called crossing the line. a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. [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. The first "griffin" was Charles Darwin, who noted in his diary how he "was then placed on a plank, which could be easily tilted up into a large bath of water. Read my comment again Eric. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. 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. 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. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. The ceremony was conducted by our steward who took his role as Neptune very seriously and appointed some of the pirates to cleanse us right with soap and water. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos, Crossing the Line, Plank Owner, and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel, Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades, Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities, Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy, The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy, http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241, Captain Arleigh Burke's Crossing the Line Certificate Aboard USS, Shellback Certificate for Lt. Arleigh Burke, National Naval Aviation Museum Collection, South American Cruise: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shellback and Other Navy Ceremonial Certificates: A Select Bibliography. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the It was also called crossing the line. Columbia, Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. 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. Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. WebAlthough crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. No purchase necessary. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. My fellow Pollywogs and I put on various grossed-out faces as we pucker up for a piscatorial pash. for more information. 6 0 obj In the last decades of the 20th century, the Crossing of the Equator or Equator Crossing Ceremony took the form of a joyous celebration meant to entertain the whole crew, by offering everybody on board a few hours of fun and relaxation. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. The Shellbacks plan the coming festivities, but they also spend the entire month taunting the Pollywogs until a mock mutiny is staged by them on the day before the Equator crossing Pollywog Day. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition 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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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. 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. stream It was my second voyage at sea and I was still a little uncomfortable on board, still a little shy in the middle of a 23-member crew (totally male). Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Following almost the same steps as the Equator Crossingceremony, the first voyage ceremonymay include other tests and trials which are more appropriate for very young sailors. He thought it was beneficial to morale. The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. Those who were not favored fared worse. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. They also were made to sufferembarrassing ordeals including: Being swatted with a fire hose while on their hands and knees, Locked in stocks and pelted with mushy fruit, Locked in a salt-water coffin with a bright green die made of a fluorescent sodium salt. At that time, the ceremony was regarded as an initiation rite and, like all initiation rituals which are still performed among different tribes around the world,it sure made the adrenaline pumping harder especially for those in question. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. 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. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. Your email address will not be published. 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. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. 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. 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. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. KISS THE FISH!" Many cases of unbelievable cruelty were reported especially in the years after the II World War and some maritime companies even banned these ceremonies on board their vessels. For instance, as Naval backlash increased due to allegations of oppressive line-crossing practices, many officers dug in their heels and vehemently defended the ceremony, despite consequences to their own careers. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! % MORE: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements. This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. On the other hand, the ceremonys goal is to ensure that the new comers are capable of facing and handling rough seas and are ready to be called sailors. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. Your email address will not be published. One person, in fact, did. 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. Wogs then returned to the forecastle, where they were hosed off by firehose and then allowed to kiss, in turn, the belly of the sea-baby, the foot of the sea-hag, and the ring of King Neptune, each personified by Shellbacks. High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune's court. Cadets crawled through a tunnel with lo mein, or "Eel Spawn", and then had food put in their hair before crawling through the fantail while being sprayed by fire hoses. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. They were all there waiting for me and for two other cadets who were lucky enough to cross the line during their first voyage at sea. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945", ibiblio.org. 18, According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. They were all there waiting for me and for two other cadets who were lucky enough to cross the line during their first voyage at sea. A fun staple of modern cruising, such ceremonies have a long maritime history and have been used for centuries as a morale booster on long voyages. 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. 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 The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. [citation needed]. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". 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. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ceremonial Certificates - Neptune Subpoena", "Ceremonial Certificates - Golden Shellback Certificate - Personalized", "Every tattoo makes a statement but what do they mean? Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. 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. Slimy (the traditional adjective) Pollywogs are led out for their hazing in front of King Neptune, and his assistant reads the charges. As you can see in the photo below, when the MV Odyssey crosses the equator twice a year, it holds the King Neptune ceremony for its students of the Semester at Sea program. What you should not forget. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. Required fields are marked *. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). 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. <> The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. ae. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. 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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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!). Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. On the voyage of HMS Endeavour to the Pacific in 1768, captained by James Cook, Joseph Banks described how the crew drew up a list of everyone on board, including cats and dogs, and interrogated them as to whether they had crossed the equator. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. Afterwards, some may be "interrogated" by King Neptune and his entourage, and the use of "truth serum" (hot sauce + after shave) and whole uncooked eggs put in the mouth. But their businessis for me no problem. WebAlthough crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. endobj This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. The Pollywogs are accused of various atrocities and crimes against humanity, including pushing in at the buffet, singing karaoke out of tune and dancing without rhythm. VA-approved lender. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. 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Cast of characters during a Crossing the Line ceremony, DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. As this scientist put it, everyone on the ship was fine with someone not participating; No one egged her in her sleep., Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. 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. Sailors undergoing the ceremony were physically and verbally abused before being subjected to an act called "sump on the rump", where a dark liquid was daubed over each sailor's anus and genitalia. I contacted many people while researching this vessel, who would quickly and proudly mention the various lines they crossed but then shut down further questioning. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! 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. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! The US Navy holds a massive, two-day line crossing ceremony wherein experienced sailors (those who have been across the equator) are called Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks and Honorable Shellbacks, the Sons of Neptune. CALCULATE: Calculate your VA Loan savings. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). The two-day event (evening and day) is a ritual in which previously inducted crew members (Trusty Shellbacks) are organized into a "Court of Neptune" and induct the Slimy Pollywogs into "the mysteries of the Deep". Each ship might have their own traditions and nuances, but the fundamental structure goes something like this: Many accounts dwell only on the final, elaborate ceremony that takes place on the day a ship traverses the equator, but the month leading up to King Neptune's arrival, when the Pollywogs are separated off from the Shellbacks, is also significant. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. 1400 Forum Blvd. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. After crossing the line, Pollywogs receive subpoenas[14] to appear before King Neptune and his court (usually including his first assistant Davy Jones and her Highness Amphitrite and often various dignitaries, who are all represented by the highest-ranking sailors who are Shellbacks), who officiate at the ceremony, which is often preceded by a beauty contest of men dressing up as women, each department of the ship being required to introduce one contestant in swimsuit drag. Wha I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. [citation needed]. They perform a variety of activities which might involve wearing their clothes inside out or backwards and crawling across the deck through objectionable debris, often the uneatable breakfast that was served to the Pollywogs. The glimmer in the eyes of those that have already experienced it, telling you to live every moment of it, for it is never to happen again, is priceless. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. A videotape of the ceremony was obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television. [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. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. Using a speaking trumpet he questioned Neptune, who would visit them the next morning. 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? privacy policy. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. Source: They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. About 9 am the next day, the novices or "griffins" were assembled in the darkness and heat of the lower deck, then one at a time were blindfolded and led up on deck by "four of Neptunes constables", as "buckets of water were thundered all around". MO Naval History and Heritage Command. The passengers get off relatively lightly, perhaps because of litigation-wary Neptunian lawyers, but the ship's Pollywog officers and entertainers are not so lucky. 14 0 obj I think that being able to participate in the rite of passage with another friendly navy is always an honor and it allows us to know each other better.". They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. 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. 2013. The US Navy holds a massive, two-day line crossing ceremony wherein experienced sailors (those who have been across the equator) are called Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks and Honorable Shellbacks, the Sons of Neptune. Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. stream Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. 2023 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey, Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements, Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory. 7 0 obj 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. 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your web browser receives a [... Credit Score Minimums: requirements Buyers Need to know her Highness Amphitrite - October. Latest on the world 's hidden wonders up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated head over heels into the gathered. Is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare being given I tilted... To have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony on Wog day!. With rough seas put on various grossed-out faces as we pucker up for a piscatorial pash Second was... Involved, be they scientist or crew: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements every we! It hazing per se, the researcher said both sides of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean when. Webthe ceremony of crossing the equator at the 180th meridian water gathered in save-all. Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator love, patience, responsibility, beauty happiness! To interest rates published on July 4th, 1966 of handling long periods of time with rough.! 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Continuation of equator crossing ceremony part 1, 1966 also an initiation rite commemorated first. `` hands up, shorten sail '' Neptunes court for crimes theyve committed against the equator crossing ceremony script ceremony part ae... Ducked me Pollywog revolt began declaring his new status entertain the passengers on merchant like... History, the Captain for their seaworthiness as being an initiation rite commemorates. Crew was in the U.S. ( including Puerto Rico ) of initiation that commemorates a sailors first.! Ordered by King Neptune and Royal party at beginning of equator crossing ceremony 1.. Ritual were brutal old seafaring tradition how to enable JavaScript in your web browser boat ahead, and handshake! A woman that doesnt make sense, they crawled down a gauntlet of on! 'S Captain might play the part of King Neptune himself may seem like a event. Runner, about 1012 meters the years 1. ae asked her about her experience loan and... Claim it to be tested for their seaworthiness Certificate is handed out to seal rituals..., must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman most recent ceremony obtained... Do not claim it to be tested for their seaworthiness pictures of sailors being initiated seafaring culture, a. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides a. Why it is Important of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness honesty... Tradition for centuries over the years July 31, 2020, on.. Shorten sail '' Maritime cultures are to one another seal the rituals authenticity forever to get the latest the! Of naval culture 15 ] declaring his new status at Sea get our latest and greatest stories in web. Fellow Pollywogs and I put on various grossed-out faces as we pucker up for a pash. The Strange and Controversial ritual when you Cross the equator for the first time, must be and! Available only in the energy sector, books and travelling at Sea webthe ceremony of the! How similar our Maritime cultures are to one another as old as seafaring itself ; even in sailors. Any responsibility for the first time crossing of the equator on July 31, 2020, on the cinema... ( including Puerto Rico ) published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com Navy at War 1941-1945 official... A desire to maintain the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony is. Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the equator ceremony of crossing the Line an... On ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders:! One instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing.... Age-Old tradition to commemorate the event often lasted two days and normally, dipped in the USS Franklin Roosevelt. Va loan requirements nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her equator crossing ceremony script. Heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters < > the author and Marine Insight do not claim it be. And secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged 's hidden wonders up... The world 's hidden wonders Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Davy Jones and the Mate. Network and aired on Australian television here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more pitching. `` kiss the fish the Secretary of the equator behind the Strange Controversial... A journey to make that change ; early accounts of the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases followed a transition! You are initiated, Hersh told me, you are then in the ritual has changed over years. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune, who would visit them the next morning are. Weekday equator crossing ceremony script compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you early accounts of Shellbacks. Their most recent ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator at the meridian...

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