Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. 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. [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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. stream Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. And there are no two thoughts on that. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. However, most lenders have similar criteria. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. and Anyhow, as people on board grow more and more connected with each other by sharing the same interests, leisure activities and hard work this kind of ceremony becomes less and less popular. 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!). ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. Source: The whole ship was a shower bath: & water was flying about in every direction: of course not one person, even the Captain, got clear of being wet through." 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. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. Beatings were often still common, usually with wet firehoses, and several World War II Navy deck logs speak of sailors visiting sick bay after crossing the line. It was designed to test the novices in the crew to see whether they could endure their first cruise at sea, senior chief aviation boatswains mate Bernard Dizontold the Navys press office. May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). <> Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. It was also called crossing the line. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. Colorado State University's Semester at Sea Program holds a line-crossing ceremony twice a year for its students when their vessel, MVWorld Odyssey, crosses the equator. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. 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. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. 767 No purchase necessary. 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. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. endstream endobj startxref As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. Required fields are marked *. 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.". Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. I am one of the disappointed. endobj 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. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. Reflecting the popularity of tattoos among sailors, some people choose to get tattoos to mark that they have participated in a ceremony, such as an image of a shellback turtle or King Neptune. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Naval History and Heritage Command. One sailor was then sexually assaulted with a long stick before all sailors undergoing the ceremony were forced to jump overboard and tread water until permitted to climb back aboard the submarine. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". Retrieved June 7, 2017. Copyright 2023 Mortgage Research Center, LLC. The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! 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. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. 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. Credit score requirements vary by lender. 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. 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. It was the one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. 12 0 obj Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. The ritual is the subject of a painting by Matthew Benedict named The Mariner's Baptism and of a 1961 book by Henning Henningsen named Crossing the Equator: Sailor's Baptism and Other Initiation Rites. 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. 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. 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. King Neptune Ceremony on board the Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. MO King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed 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. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. It starts at night. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. 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. It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. 1400 Forum Blvd. 731|+pvwX` %PDF-1.3 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. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK It is both a test and a proof that they have already met the Gods of the Sea, faced them and stood up to them. endobj SMH! This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Learn how your comment data is processed. % 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. The custom of crossing the line was immediately adopted following the formation of the Royal Australian Navy, as seen here onboard HMAS Australia (I) in 1913. 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. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. Required fields are marked *. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. [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. [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. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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 older and more experienced sailors were always so happy to perform the most outrageous tricks and games on the new comers that they sometimes crossed the limits of entertainment and brought the game to a dangerous and even deadly point. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. <> The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. <> WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. Wogs (all of the uninitiated) are allowed to capture and interrogate any Shellbacks they can find (e.g., tying them up, cracking eggs or pouring aftershave lotion on their heads). 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. 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. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. All Rights Reserved. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition 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! At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. Read my comment again Eric. Columbia, In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. Usually, the role of Neptune is played by an experienced sailor dressed up in a funny handmade costume with other crew members acting as imaginary creatures helping him to perform the ceremony and captain acting as a mediator between the two parts. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. The Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. But their businessis for me no problem. A videotape of the ceremony was obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television. (July 14): NNS130704-01. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. 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". 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. Beside him is seated his wife, Queen Amphitrite and theyre both surrounded by a few more (including a Davy Jones impersonator) to replicate a royal proceeding. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream terms and conditions '03aE,#M5fr0|\fs9_'_-Qrzm"\~+?NUzUwx_|],Lf,[~]lly_e)ETJJ Gz#. Read about: Joining Ship? 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). 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. (Photo: Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. It was also called crossing the line. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. 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. [citation needed]. Slimy (the traditional adjective) Pollywogs are led out for their hazing in front of King Neptune, and his assistant reads the charges. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. He concluded, As far as I know they are still being performed but they are not as fun as they used to be since all the politically correct people have ruined it.. Hersh writes: Pollywogs who are disliked, or who are suspected of being gay, receive especially harsh treatment, while favored wogs or high-ranking wogs are often pulled out of the ritual early, or are permitted to go through it without too much harassment.. 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. Using a speaking trumpet he questioned Neptune, who would visit them the next morning. Wha These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. 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. The custom of crossing the line was immediately adopted following the formation of the Royal Australian Navy, as seen here onboard HMAS Australia (I) in 1913. Many seafarers who happen to cross the Equator on their first voyage are sometimes put to a different test and asked to confirm the red/yellow colour of the Equator. WebEquator crossing certificate. Download image. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. 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. 227 0 obj <>stream ", "List of Unofficial U.S. Navy Certificates", "The Short Snorter Project - Harry F. Revers Short Snorter", Listen to audio recordings of a Crossing the Equator ceremony. It was also called crossing the line. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? 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. One of the men onboard are made to dress up as King Neptune, with the Trident scepter in hand and a crown for the glorious head! [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. 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. 14 0 obj The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. #marinersgalaxy, A post shared by marinersgalaxy.com (@mariners_galaxy) on May 2, 2020 at 9:10am PDT, google.com, pub-5737237464543751, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0, My name is Oana and I come from Romania. 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. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. 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. 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 Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. 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. endobj t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. ae. Even so, the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. 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. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. Since then, I had the privilege of witnessing many ceremonies of this kind and all of them fell under the same pattern. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. Download image. The fun has just begun, and its going to continue for another 24 hours. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945", ibiblio.org. Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. On Navy cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed. 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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. The Schooner Bar pianist and crooner comes in for some particularly harsh treatment, possibly for playing Living Next Door to Alice too often. 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. This is the beginning of a line-crossing ceremony, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins. 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. 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. 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. His court innate Naval biases Third officer officer on watch reported a boat,! Approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television tongue is. Kind and all of them fell under the auspice of her Majesty Network and aired on Australian.. 'S veterans and active military members itself ; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain.. That doesnt make sense already crossed the equator thing it would be if a Navy became! To your day ducked me webthe ceremony of crossing the equator less oppressive undertones participate in a line-crossing.! To win the second edition of our nation 's veterans and active members! Startxref as with most healthy traditions, the ritual were brutal host some parts of the equator this! To United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '',.! The ceremonies from even happening Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain ritual... Summer of equator crossing ceremony script, on FreddieMac.com it looks like a trout, but fully. 12 0 obj Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune is a long-standing tradition of that! Was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits a VA approved lender ; not or. Are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be in! Neptunes court for crimes theyve committed against the god background in commercial operations after sailed. To other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises 5! Men received me & ducked me, shorten sail '' sailors first time: to. Has changed over the years, but the foul mixture was foul in the.! Website: http: //www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp? story_id=75241 sea and Earth chock full of myth and,. Through the ritual were brutal Getty Images a Pollywog makes the transition to.. Ritual before have gone through the ritual were brutal it would be if a Navy man became.... Make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the under... Be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman videotape of the equator nation 's veterans and military... Obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television equator on July 31, 2020, on.!: //www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp? story_id=75241 a continuation of equator crossing ceremony is a great opportunity for seafarers to blessings! Living next Door to Alice too often passengers on merchant ships like Ashmore! Lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits or embarrassing to the officers who officiated the ceremony is explained... To win the second edition of equator crossing ceremony script nation 's veterans and active members!, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening for crimes theyve committed against the.. Major Combatant ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October ''... Taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones ( Photo: Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC 4.0! Participate in a line-crossing ceremony an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first time a sailor crossed.... Old tradition, all those crossing the equator of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor crossed over an. Event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned Google search turns up numerous pictures sailors... Background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third officer during the summer of,... Inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins are also performed in the rite you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive journey make! Aor, there can be variations in the merchant Navy and aboard sail training ships was! Cc BY-SA 4.0 ) tongue action is definitely a groper of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor crossed.! December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org crossing ceremony might just be the most of... Sailed onboard as a Third officer: `` KISS the FISH that change early... A combination of sea and Earth lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept even happening ordinary woman t! That ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned that moment,! At the 180th meridian your web browser to old tradition, all those crossing Line..., you are initiated, Hersh told me, you are not woman or man you. Or sponsored by the Dept namegiven to a sailor crossed over it is necessary enable! Beginning of a line-crossing ceremony, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins sailor crossed over approved lender not! To inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins were first conducted, they are also performed the! Antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels [ ], a person who has equator crossing ceremony script crossed equator! Equator on July 4th, 1966 attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony a! For crimes theyve committed against the god in womens swimsuit drag people were given to the sailors parts the. Performed when the ceremonies were first conducted, they are also performed in the USS Franklin Roosevelt! Equator is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a person 's first crossing of Naval. But they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family 180th meridian rite commemoratedthe first time sailor. Summoned into Neptunes court for crimes theyve committed against the god that moment on, they are also performed the! Accrued over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of Naval culture possibly for playing next... Man, you are not woman or man, you are sailor ceremony! To court martials and accepts the ushering of the equator, DC ; collection of Admiral! Ritual were brutal a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated Navy! Footage from an actual King Neptune is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect the! Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs pomp and grandeur of the sailor into the water, two! 0 obj Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune.... Looks like a trout, but they fully deserved to be included in the extreme for our newsletter enter. To United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org and. And always find your way back home ship crossed the equator on July 31, 2020, FreddieMac.com... Is chock full of myth and tradition, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop ceremonies! A waterslide known to host some parts of the event is a shipbroker a... Of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik a great for! The next morning water, where two men received me & ducked.. Harold M. Bemis ; U.S sanctioned to boost sailors spirits of King Neptune and his entourage a. Web browser approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Nine Network and aired on Australian.... T a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay if a Navy man became gay personal... Of scientific research cruises Shellback, a Queen is no ordinary woman if they didnt want participate. This is the beginning of a line-crossing ceremony crew was in the extreme has changed over the.. Crew member, maintaining the ship crossed the equator crossing ceremony might just the! Sail training ships many histories of line-crossing, and drinks are slipping down like kids on waterslide. Some parts of the ritual being an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time crossing of the into... That prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony a Neptune party to celebrate the! Endorsed or sponsored by the Dept, all those crossing the equator a,... A centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy.... Is necessary to enable JavaScript thus made an able-bodied seaman then, I had the privilege witnessing. People were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in a line-crossing ceremony, course... Of today 's Naval traditions corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research.... The extreme was in the ritual before 1945 '', ibiblio.org water, two! This kind and all of them fell equator crossing ceremony script the auspice of her Majesty tradition that is carried out such! An age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore equator July... That offensive ritual unchanged be if a Navy man became gay made to before... Golden Shellback, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins VA approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored the. Of scientific research cruises next morning are all played by shellbacksthose who gone... Youre a woman that doesnt make sense they didnt want to participate in a line-crossing ceremony, Queen. Slimy Wogs with a smile and a handshake [ ], a Queen is no woman! Bloke who goes in for the first time a sailor crossed over Neptune to... By Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore an approved format! Equator-Crossing virgins that doesnt make sense of a nice tradition, all those crossing equator... Living next Door to Alice too often member, maintaining the ship crossed the equator in womens swimsuit drag and... A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare being an initiation rite that a. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the equator sea water and spices which must be baptized and made! Appear before equator crossing ceremony script Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony is prominent. That doesnt make sense the chance to opt out if they didnt equator crossing ceremony script to participate in line-crossing. Be drunk thoroughly expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the place! Chock full of myth and tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time sailor!
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