The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. 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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. 6 0 obj 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. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. The ceremony is carefully orchestrated by the ship's officers, with some sailors reporting the events to be lackluster due to the removal of the rites of initiation. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= 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. 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 charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. According to Banks, some of those ducked were "grinning and exulting in their hardiness", but others "were almost suffocated". 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. It was also called crossing the line. When a ship must cross the Equator reasonably close to one of these meridians, the ship's captain might plot a course across the Golden X so that the ship's crew can be initiated as Golden or Emerald/Royal Diamond Shellbacks. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. 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". Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. #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. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. After the ceremony, the Sailors were inducted into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep" meaning that King Neptune had accepted them as one of his trusty shellbacks. 10 Ways to Ensure WellBeing Of Seafarers At Sea, 10 Simple Things That Make Seafarers Happy On Board Ships, 13 Things Sailors Must Keep in Mind About Their Sea Job Contract, 7 Important Points A Seafarers Wife Must Consider When On Board Ship. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. It is therefore no wonder that the shore folk are appalled and excited at the same time when the ceremony is told to them in detail. It was also called crossing the line. The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. at last, glad enough, I escaped. King, Ernest J., USN. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. The event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition. 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 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. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ 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. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. for more information. King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. 2013. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. WebEquator crossing certificate. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. 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. 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. MORE: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements. 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. The Schooner Bar pianist and crooner comes in for some particularly harsh treatment, possibly for playing Living Next Door to Alice too often. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. VA-approved lender. From their ships berth, floating in the middle of the ocean, they are ushered into a room to begin the trial. stream We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. 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. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. See. 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. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. Licensed in all 50 states. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. privacy policy. [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. (July 14): NNS130704-01. 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. 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. We still laugh about it to this day. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. 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. Most prominently, ocean scientists are known to perform similar ceremonies. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". Many naval traditions, from the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey to the boatswain's call, date back hundreds and even thousands of years. Naval History and Heritage Command. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. FitzRoy quoted Otto von Kotzebue's 1830 description in his 1839 Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle between the Years 1826 and 1836. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. 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. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. 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. She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. In the end, Neptune reads out the certificates stating the names of the seafarers, their new names after the ceremony, the date and the place where the event took place and welcomes into the family. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. %PDF-1.5 % Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. )\gXpj 4_M\ ot%H8#,}u{ XXej4nM+#I This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. <> [citation needed]. Required fields are marked *. 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. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. 18, Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. It is these little gems that bind us seafarers together in work and spirit and give us the inner strength to carry forward inspire rough seas and long periods away from home. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. The eve of the equatorial crossing is called Wog Day and, as with many other night-before rituals, is a mild type of reversal of the day to come. 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. 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. Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. Download image. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. Mail us at info @ marineinsight.com to add even more wonder to your day playing Living Next door to too! To perform similar ceremonies it has begun line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse equator, this has. 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