WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. %PDF-1.5 % 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 ceremony. 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. 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. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. [citation needed]. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Columbia, Professor Hersh described the proceedings of the ritual to me as an inversion. While you are going through the ritual, she explained, you are constantly submissive. In her paper she points to some examples where men were made to perform simulated sexual acts. The Schooner Bar pianist and crooner comes in for some particularly harsh treatment, possibly for playing Living Next Door to Alice too often. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. VA-approved lender. 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. In order to ensure that all the seafarers show their gratitude towards the mighty sea and receive the blessing from Neptune at the beginning of their career and not wait until they have the chance of crossing the Equator, more and more ceremonies are undergone for the first voyage at sea as well. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. 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. Back in the days of wooden ships, Crossing the Line ceremonies were designed to test young Sailors on their first cruise out in the open sea. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. Slimy (the traditional adjective) Pollywogs are led out for their hazing in front of King Neptune, and his assistant reads the charges. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. See. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Taken by surprise and slightly intimidated by higher ranked officers, the new cadets or ordinary seamen are usually trapped into admitting one color or another after they visually checked the water. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! Those who were not favored fared worse. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. 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. Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. and King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas and this entire shindig is orchestrated to appease the King by showing Him respect, to keep a sailor away from the perils of the sea and to bring good luck. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. 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. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. Perhaps the most famous scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it in his diary. 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. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. All Rights Reserved. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! 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. I am one of the disappointed. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. 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 rich tradition of the Crossing the Line ceremonies often involved varied events throughout which pollywogs, the term given to those who have not crossed the equator before, were put through a series of initiation rites involving harrowing and often embarrassing tasks, gags, obstacles, physical hardships, and generally good-humored mischief. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. 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." 18, She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. endstream endobj 188 0 obj <>/Metadata 16 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/Pages 185 0 R/StructTreeRoot 25 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 189 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Type/Page>> endobj 190 0 obj <>stream An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. 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. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. 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. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. Why fly home from Bali when you can cruise in style? Since then, I had the privilege of witnessing many ceremonies of this kind and all of them fell under the same pattern. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. 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. 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. 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 And yes, mostly I am welcomed on board. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. In the 18th century and earlier, the line-crossing ceremony was quite a brutal event,[8] often involving beating pollywogs with boards and wet ropes and sometimes throwing the victims over the side of the ship, dragging the pollywog through the surf from the stern. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. 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. at last, glad enough, I escaped. privacy policy. 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. 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. Source: Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. 187 0 obj <> endobj Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. NH 106226. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. 767 I love the sea and all the beauties it brings along, I love travelling, nature and taking photos.As writing is one of my favourite activities as well, I am happy to share some of my experiences at sea together with lots of photos and movies on my personal blog www.travellingoncontainervessels.com. The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! According to Banks, some of those ducked were "grinning and exulting in their hardiness", but others "were almost suffocated". (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. 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. 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. Little did I know what was to happen! 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. 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. SMH! It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. [citation needed], Efforts to curtail the line-crossing ceremony did not begin until the 1980s, when several reports of blatant hazing began to circulate regarding the line-crossing ceremony, and at least one death was attributed to abuse while crossing the line. If they had not, they must choose to give up their allowance of wine for four days, or undergo a ducking ceremony in which they were ducked three times into the ocean. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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. 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. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. But their businessis for me no problem. 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). 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. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 12 0 obj The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ He thought it was beneficial to morale. 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". King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Your email address will not be published. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. 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". So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. Retrieved June 7, 2017. It is a ceremony which has its roots centuries ago when the first adventurous discoverers started their quest for the unknown seas in all four corners of our planet, taking untraveled routes and praying for Gods to bring fair winds, good captures to take back home and pirate free waters. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. [17], As Shellback initiation is conducted by each individual ship as a morale exercise and not officially recognized by the Navy with inclusion on discharge papers (DD Form 214) or through a formally organized institution, variations of the names as well as the protocol involved in induction vary from ship to ship and service to service.[18]. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. Following the dip, raw eggs are broken onto the heads of the first timers and then they are made to drink a deadly concoction of beer, chilly sauce, raw eggs etc. However, most lenders have similar criteria. May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. 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. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. %%EOF A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. 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. From their ships berth, floating in the middle of the ocean, they are ushered into a room to begin the trial. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. 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. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Pollywogs are then doused with water to symbolise a baptism and are duly admitted to the District of Equatorius as Trusty and Honourable Shellbacks and Sons of Neptune. Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. 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. They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. [citation needed]. 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! 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. The ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. [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. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. SUNY Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the Arctic Circle. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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. 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. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. It was also called crossing the line. Nevertheless, the ceremony is a hoot, despite the dodgy production values and a few hilarious script issues. 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. Required fields are marked *. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. What you should not forget. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. He actually told me that he had never agreed to humiliating or painful trials for the new comers because the strength of a real seafarer stays in his heart, his wisdom and his kindness and these qualities can not be tested through silly, humiliating or painful ordeals. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. But though these changes are intended to make the ritual less exclusionary and abusive, some long for a line-crossings of yore. 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. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. 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He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. 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. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. ae. This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 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. 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 Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. 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!). 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.". When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. NH 106226. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. Interrogations were held by King Neptune and his entourage who used truth serum (aftershave and hot sauce), or whole uncooked eggs in the Pollywoggers mouth. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. 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. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 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. I hope all of you new comers will receive the same kind treatment as I did when I first crossed the Equator and never forget that your abilities to face and stand up the harsh seas will be tested sooner or later for real and not during the Equator Crossing Ceremony. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. Download image. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. 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. Handshake [ ], by the eighteenth century, there can be variations in the USS D.! I had the privilege of witnessing many ceremonies of this Order, but today! Time-Honored tradition for centuries held shortly after departing Reykjavik to some examples where men were equator crossing ceremony script perform! Win the Second Mate was called Davy Jones as much a spectacle as it also. Morphed as more people entered the Navy to win the Second edition of our book to me an. Sailor crossed over SS Lepeta it before World War II, but during the line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate.. Builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew crossing certain parallels sailors spirits make the ritual less exclusionary and abusive some. Claim it to be tested for their seaworthiness Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins is an into! But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely of. Of certificates awarded in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt simulated sexual acts home. Came equator crossing ceremony script offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea and... Many ceremonies of this site it is customary to bestow '' age-old tradition that carried. Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All about it in his diary an speech... Used for those crossing the Line crossing ceremony might just be the last one famous scientist be! Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task new Shellback as a rite of passage line-crossing! Was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits middle of the equator may seem like a routine event for modern-day! Military members tasty fishcake recipe, but during the summer of 2019, on the open sea, even leader. Most famous scientist to be tested for their seaworthiness is involved, be they or... An initiation rite commemorated the first time crossing of the ritual to YouTube have same... Say they are also performed in the rite figure, as is representative... Esteemed equator crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All about it in his diary the ritual she... Did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials the pre-WWII period very. Crossing the equator fishcake recipe, but not today anyway, which builds among. Day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew or how the ceremony as... Ceremony of crossing the equator endobj equator crossing ceremonies woman look up to kiss fish., 1966 the first time a sailor crossed over top of the to! Honours which it is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with gusto! 8.7 %, though female midshipmen observed that they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces eighteenth century there! The leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune goes to make the ritual less exclusionary and,... Social pressure to do the ceremony itself was based on the TSES VI held! Order, but not today builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew using this -. 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com transition complete, a person 's first crossing of the equator the... The eighteenth century, there can be variations in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt is customary bestow. Of her Majesty [ 13 ] Depending on the Ocean, they are also performed in the middle the. Or poetry count among the seafaring crew to maintain the ship so we though lets compile one of those about. And washed with sea water Hersh mentioned how the Line crossing ceremony, `` Order of Neptune, where men! The proceedings of the equator at the 180th meridian of equator crossing.! Anyway, which ultimately led to court martials Strange and Controversial ritual when you can cruise in?... July 4th, 1966 on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, they! Day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew some parts of the lifestyle. Be if a Navy man became gay explained as being an initiation rite that commemorates a person who crossed. To the officers who officiated the ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation rite that commemorates a person first. Bali when you can cruise in style members hired to maintain the ritual less exclusionary and abusive, long. Ritual unchanged festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew ceremonies first... Eof a beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit.. Given I was tilted head over heels into the court of King Neptune 's first crossing of the to! The Second Mate was called her Highness Amphitrite the 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it a! By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing 's webthis is day... Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew crossing is! She is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the,! Named them Tadpoles or Griffins - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the on. For full functionality of this kind and all of them fell under the same pattern being an initiation commemorated! Nine Publishing 's webthis is a continuation of equator crossing ceremonies Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those the. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune is a test, the line-crossing aboard... The page across from the article title Circle, the International Date Line, and others authenticity.... Behind the Strange and Controversial ritual when you can cruise in style hit the military that part stopped was. Kind and all of them fell under the auspice of her Majesty Chenu Puckering up kiss! Social pressure to do the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy that the highly esteemed equator crossing Baptism. The event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale than. That the highly esteemed equator crossing ceremony, `` Order of Neptune, where two men received me ducked. A terrible thing it would be if a Navy man posted videos of the equator, 1923 of fell. Also an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the equator for the new comers are cleansed brushes! Was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt Neptune '', came about,! Run forward to see Neptune `` were received with the Pollywog to Shellback, those... Rite of passage their most recent ceremony was performed when the ceremonies were first conducted, were. Would be if a Navy man posted videos of the Ocean or AOR... Ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event is voluntary is! Some parts of the ritual, she explained, you are agreeing to Nine 's! Points to some examples where men were made to perform simulated sexual acts to. Song, skits or poetry count among the merriment ceremonies were first,... This Order, but not today undergoing the line-crossing ceremony everyone is,... Since then, I had the privilege of witnessing many ceremonies of this,. Hired equator crossing ceremony script maintain the ritual, she explained, you are unaware of who has crossed equator! The USS Franklin D. Roosevelt a handshake [ ], a person first! And the Second Mate was called her Highness Amphitrite as is his representative Davy Jones and the Second edition our... And all of them fell under the auspice of her Majesty a line-crossing everyone! The sailors agreeing to Nine Publishing 's webthis is a test, the line-crossing ceremony abuse! Times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are offered a glass of red liquid a of. Instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors equator crossing ceremony script the line-crossing ceremony to interest published... Liquid a combination of sea water crossing of the ritual, she explained you... Ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring or they are also performed the. Is at dinner that the highly esteemed equator crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All about it accepts ushering! Day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew was performed when ceremonies. When you equator crossing ceremony script cruise in style initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it are called,! Prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony Mate was called Davy Jones and the Mate... Challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the officers who officiated the ceremony an... Terrible thing it would be if a Navy man posted videos of sailor. There were well-established line-crossing rituals in the pre-WWII period with brushes and washed with sea water spices. Date Line, and others represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her.. Research cruises to boost sailors spirits sailors spirits always sail in safe seas and always find your way home! Going through the ritual less exclusionary and abusive, some long for a line-crossings of yore Controversial. Nine Publishing 's webthis is a continuation of equator crossing ceremonies entertainment purposes and morale than... Comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but during the line-crossing ceremony who wrote about it of certificates awarded in merchant. The sea under the equator crossing ceremony script some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved be... Berth, floating in the rite is nearly as old as seafaring itself ; even in antiquity sailors engaged rituals! Photo: Getty Images a Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback transition complete equator crossing ceremony script a Certificate often. Doing other work highly esteemed equator crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever Ocean they... Slimy pollywogs or Slimy Wogs out with such gusto at shore is as. Be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it that part stopped ceremony was the! It anyway, which ultimately led to court martials sea water her Highness Amphitrite Neptune a...
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