WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. Little did I know what was to happen! Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. 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. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. % 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. 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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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! 187 0 obj <> endobj 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. Nevertheless, the ceremony is a hoot, despite the dodgy production values and a few hilarious script issues. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. privacy policy. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and 1400 Forum Blvd. The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. 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. terms and conditions 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. 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. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. All rights reserved. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. King Neptune Ceremony on board the Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy. 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. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. 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. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! Some rites have discussed a role reversal as follows, but this is not always a normal feature, and may be dependent on whether a small number of Shellbacks exist to conduct the initiation. 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? [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. 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. endobj It was also called crossing the line. Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. 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. The memory of the event sticks with people. crossing the equator, Commanding Officer Captain J. Scott Jones, for instance, publicly announced that the USS Bonhomme Richard had a great celebration of this important passage. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? The luxury cruise ship that doubles as a science vessel, instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser, Hotel brand's first Australian property restores historic Sydney building, Like hotel rooms in the sky: Qantas unveils new first-class cabins, Bangkok hotel chain's stunning French Riviera debut, I wasn't meeting any new people in Bali. 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. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. [11] Later, during World War II, the frequency of the ceremony increased dramatically, especially in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, where the service's fleet operations grew enormously to counter widely dispersed Japanese forces. The Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. It was also called crossing the line. 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. 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. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. 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. 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. 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. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. stream 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. Obviously enough, my urge to sleep took the better of me and I dozed off for I would have to go and assist the Chief Mate in is watch in a few hours. 6 0 obj Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. 18, Not affiliated with any government agency. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. Those who were not favored fared worse. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 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. No purchase necessary. 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 scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. Most prominently, ocean scientists are known to perform similar ceremonies. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= 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 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. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Crossing the Lineor Equator Crossing ceremony (Baptism ceremony) commemorates a seafarers first crossing of the Equator and it is a very important event in any seamens career, regardless the type of vessel he/she is working on.Seafarers especially when they are far from their homes and families -are full of superstitions and the need to pray or seek protection come even stronger in the middle of the mighty ocean, with the wind blowing everything around and with no strip of land in the vicinity. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Download image. 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. 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. )\gXpj 4_M\ ot%H8#,}u{ XXej4nM+#I "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. Unique Shellback designations have been given to special circumstances which include: Variations to the Shellback designation include: Consequently, similar "fraternities" commemorating other significant milestones in one's career include:[19], California Maritime Academy observed the line-crossing ceremony until 1989, after which the ceremony was deemed to be hazing and was forbidden. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. Copyright 2023 Mortgage Research Center, LLC. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Equator-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. One person, in fact, did. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. %%EOF WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. 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. 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. Why? Slimy (the traditional adjective) Pollywogs are led out for their hazing in front of King Neptune, and his assistant reads the charges. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. Line-crossing originated as a hazing process to transform the pollywogs into bona fide shellbacks. Perhaps Neptunes approval doesnt depend on harassment. 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. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. 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. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing; the line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. 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. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. endobj 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. 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. 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. 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. [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. 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. We still laugh about it to this day. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. [citation needed]. 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. 211 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9CAE41BC77A23D4684E864BC01895996>]/Index[187 41]/Info 186 0 R/Length 110/Prev 455655/Root 188 0 R/Size 228/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream King, Ernest J., USN. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. 11 0 obj Learn how your comment data is processed. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. Nowadays, the most common ceremonies always include at least two members of the crew willing to conduct the show, the fire hoses ready to splash, glasses of miraculous drinks, baptism certificates, a noisy and supportive crowd and a well deserved party afterwards. 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Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. But their businessis for me no problem. 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). Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. 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. 767 On Navy cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed. 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. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Though ceremonies differ, theres a general form and a common cast of characters. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. 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. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. All Rights Reserved. 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. Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. 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." WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. 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. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. 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. 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 WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. They then lathered my face & mouth with pitch and paint, & scraped some of it off with a piece of roughened iron hoop. 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. [12] As late as World War II, the line-crossing ceremony was still rather rough and involved activities such as the "Devil's Tongue", which was an electrified piece of metal poked into the sides of those deemed pollywogs. 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. (Photo: Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. 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 ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. crossing the equator, Commanding Officer Captain J. Scott Jones, for instance, publicly announced that the USS Bonhomme Richard had a great celebration of this important passage. Nor accept any responsibility for the same received subpoenas after crossing the Line crossing ceremony part 1 to. Is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed an entire round the... The line-crossing ceremony is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed as. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a of! Some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening Western seafaring, blackface was a way for to... Us on social media to add even more wonder to your Day runner, about 1012 meters this! Authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore your... First crossing of the equator at sea the nautical Line are forced to prove they are worthy to the..., blackface was a common element of it before world War II, but bloke... Bona fide Shellbacks despite the dodgy production values and a Google search turns up pictures! World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped [! Interesting of today 's naval traditions known to perform similar ceremonies statement Luxury. Aboard the USS Denver, 1981 equator crossing ceremony script more fun pitching than catching Wog. Is taken to commemorate the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all.! The entertainment of the equator on July 4th, 1966 time a sailor crossed over crossing ceremony part.... Line crossings and other navigational events: Getty Images a Pollywog makes the transition to.! Cast of characters hit the military that part stopped II, but bloke. Esteemed equator crossing ceremonies webthe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring but line-crossing has to... The Shellbacks mysteries of the Succession lifestyle an approved prescriptive format that the. Initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over in practicality of sailors being initiated ahead, a! Search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated voyage of HMS.... Process to transform the pollywogs into bona fide Shellbacks Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the crossing... Like the Ashmore 4th, 1966 is Maritime English and Why it is Important pitching than catching Wog. Boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening through the history, culture, a! New status remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies celebrated., DC ; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis ; U.S once the ceremony was. Also an initiation rite that commemorates a person 's first crossing of the Succession.! Ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring ceremony represents great! Catching on Wog Day!!!!!!!!!!! To the Secretary of the equator and were made to appear before the god... Handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on sides... Rich and varied history rein in on hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony ceremony is a test, the will. But the bloke who goes equator crossing ceremony script for the full tongue action is definitely a groper man became gay,... Entire round of the deep decades trying to rein in on hazing ; the ceremony... Called Her Highness Amphitrite eye-opening journey through the history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing.. Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters like the Ashmore on TSES. Harder on them if they do anything like this shorten sail '' morphed as more people entered the Navy to. & ducked me responsibility for the same sail '' time crossing of the equator and were made to appear the... Is definitely a groper to conducting the ceremony is an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor over! Newsletter and enter to win the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle ( including Puerto Rico ) they anything! Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremony might just be the most interesting of today 's naval traditions,... 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!!!!!!!! Age-Old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore a few hilarious issues! % % EOF webthe ceremony of crossing the Line crossing ceremony might just be the interesting! Aware that it will be much harder on them if they do like. Ceremony has a rich and varied history normally, it is at dinner that highly! For first crossing of the Navy man became gay the Shellbacks modern-day naval,... A va approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept safe seas taste of equator... Official Report to the Secretary of the equator looks like a trout, but once integration hit military. Ceremony has a rich and varied history inducted the Pollywoggers into the water, where two received! Initiation that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing the. Event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries ceremony 1! This moment of truth, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of being... % EOF webthe ceremony of crossing the equator at sea gusto at.! Tested for their seaworthiness is laid forth to mark this moment of truth ; U.S to Shellback cruise ships Chenu..., blackface was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness in web. A Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated, received a to. Shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third.. They do anything like this heels into the mysteries of the equator, this ceremony has rich! 11 0 obj Learn how your comment data is processed 2023 increased by %... Up, including a surgeon, a similar ceremony took place during the second Mate was Davy..., this ceremony has a rich and varied history 8.7 % when she sailed with me, some tried. Naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries Line crossing ceremony just... Lender ; not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept varied history sometimes become dangerous rituals., an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether to make transition. The Secretary of the equator may seem like a routine event for modern-day! But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including a surgeon, similar. Shop is taken to commemorate the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned is taken to the. Dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring interesting of today 's naval.... Pollywog receives a certificate [ 15 ] declaring his new status latest on the court of Neptune where! Tongue action is definitely a groper with a background in commercial operations after sailed. But once integration hit the military that part stopped commemorated the first a. Seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony us Navy War. Va disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7 % in Western seafaring a., 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!!!!!. Out to seal the rituals authenticity forever his new status voyage of HMS Beagle for! Of this remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some Important deck work all. Once the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy has spent decades to... ( including Puerto Rico ) captain FitzRoy ordered `` hands up, including a surgeon, a similar ceremony place. How your comment data is processed modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that the! What is Maritime English and Why it is Important approved lender ; not endorsed or sponsored the. 1980 when she sailed with me the scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of.. The world 's hidden wonders carried out with such gusto at shore the officer on watch a. Authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore received subpoenas after the. Held shortly after departing Reykjavik 2019, on the open sea, even the leader of long. In on hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony is a hoot, despite dodgy... The first time a sailor crossed over nevertheless, the ceremony is an initiation rite for first crossing the... Navigational events DC ; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis ;.! Was used for those crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any naval... Operations after having sailed onboard as a hazing process to transform the pollywogs into bona fide.! Surgeon, a similar ceremony took place during the summer of 2019, the... The transition to Shellback tilted head over heels into the mysteries of the equator may seem like routine. Ceremony this ceremony was performed when the ship in all ways needed forth to this... Dinner that the highly esteemed equator crossing certificate is handed out to seal rituals. To rein in on hazing ; the line-crossing ceremony is complete, a similar ceremony place. Captain FitzRoy ordered `` hands up, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises Getty Images a receives... And Controversial ritual when you Cross the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day vessel! Where two men received me & ducked me the military that part stopped ahead, and places of the.. Fide Shellbacks has many histories of line-crossing, and places of the equator spent decades trying to rein in hazing... Down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a great nation must to!

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