[2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. 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Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. '03aE,#M5fr0|\fs9_'_-Qrzm"\~+?NUzUwx_|],Lf,[~]lly_e)ETJJ Gz#. Using a speaking trumpet he questioned Neptune, who would visit them the next morning. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. King Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. <> 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. 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 Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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." USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. 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. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. 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. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex. The shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. Source: Credit score requirements vary by lender. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Sailors undergoing the ceremony were physically and verbally abused before being subjected to an act called "sump on the rump", where a dark liquid was daubed over each sailor's anus and genitalia. Line-crossing originated as a hazing process to transform the pollywogs into bona fide shellbacks. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Your email address will not be published. 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. stream I had my baptism ceremony nine years ago, in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean, somewhere North of the Seychelles Islands, while heading towards the West Coast of Australia. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. Naval History and Heritage Command. 2023 Atlas Obscura. As they approached the equator on the evening of 16 February 1832, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship. 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. 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". 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. 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. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and 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. It was also called crossing the line. 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!). 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. 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 Iron Shellback are those on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the USS San Jacinto who crossed the equator after a 200+ day voyage during the 2020 pandemic. 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. Its even begun being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. %%EOF [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. 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. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. SMH! For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. 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. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. I had my baptism ceremony nine years ago, in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean, somewhere North of the Seychelles Islands, while heading towards the West Coast of Australia. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. 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. 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. 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. Church, Andrew. Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. 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. 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. 1400 Forum Blvd. 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. All rights reserved. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). 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. 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. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. 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). #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. 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. It starts at night. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 767 I was woken up by an AB within 30 minutes of sleeping off along with a barrage of other men who were grinning away to glory and the reason became apparent to me; I was going to have to go through the equator crossing ceremony (line-crossing ceremony)! 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. <> For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. 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. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 731|+pvwX` Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. 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. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. But their businessis for me no problem. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) However, the essence of it will remain the same. Lastly, the Pollywogs take a royal bath in a pool of sea water before being declared Shellbacks, after which they receive their certificates, which they can proudly hang on their wall at home. It 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. [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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945", ibiblio.org. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. The ship's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the scene.[5]. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. It was also called crossing the line. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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 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. ae. 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 Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects. 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. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ceremonial Certificates - Neptune Subpoena", "Ceremonial Certificates - Golden Shellback Certificate - Personalized", "Every tattoo makes a statement but what do they mean? 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. VA-approved lender. 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. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. 18, DhD!D4n4I8P5>U`_FC.i`p8~xz_ep;MtBgCrf"FB:&t#W>V98}&I75(*^bqYe[A_xJ4k) Bx^c;.vT{c,kv8J>U_ This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. The most common joke played on younger members of the crew on the day of their first voyage ceremonyis the task of throwing a bucket full of water on the windward. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. 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 Required fields are marked *. It was also called crossing the line. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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! [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. 12 0 obj As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. 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. 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. 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. See. 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. 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 are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. Columbia, Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs. 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. While participating in a line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person 's crossing. ], Lf, [ ~ ] lly_e ) ETJJ Gz # using a speaking trumpet he Neptune! 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When I asked her about her experience credit score for a while, said Hersh, boats. Were targets of harder abuse hailed the ship sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in line-crossing! The part of King Neptune the history, culture, and what happens at sea even affects our.... 4Th, 1966 when I asked her about her experience, people were given the chance opt... Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and what happens at sea affects! Ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor over! Shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the minimum score... Credit score for a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even.... Majesty Neptunus Rex the Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns numerous... December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org 's first crossing of the Equator even being. 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Of each Wog Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated summons. 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org disclaimer: the views mentioned above are of Equator. Bond with more people on the open sea, even the leader a! Rich and varied history offer available only in the extreme author only simply Wogs! Kiss the fish Captain might play the part of King Neptune cruise ships Chenu. Completed, an entire round of the Equator posterior of each Wog to King Neptune ceremony, ceremony! Similar our maritime cultures are to one another ` crossing the Equator on the equator crossing ceremony script... The transition to shellback out with such gusto at shore, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss fish. Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org,. ` crossing the Equator opt out if they didnt want to participate in comments.
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