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. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. ", "List of Unofficial U.S. Navy Certificates", "The Short Snorter Project - Harry F. Revers Short Snorter", Listen to audio recordings of a Crossing the Equator ceremony. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. The shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 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. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. [citation needed]. May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! The fun has just begun, and its going to continue for another 24 hours. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of 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. On the other hand, the ceremonys goal is to ensure that the new comers are capable of facing and handling rough seas and are ready to be called sailors. It was also called crossing the line. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby, and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing. As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. stream Though ceremonies differ, theres a general form and a common cast of characters. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. Baptism on the line, also called equatorial baptism, is an alternative initiation ritual sometimes performed as a ship crosses the Equator, involving water baptism of passengers or crew who have never crossed the Equator before. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. 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. Some people may find this a silly game, but seafarers know for certain that receiving the blessing from the God of the Sea is always an honor and must be regarded as such.Equator Crossing ceremony is just a humble way of recognizing Neptune as Master of the Seas and all the seafarers who receive Neptunes permission to sail his waters have to be celebrated and congratulated by all the crew on board. 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. I am one of the disappointed. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. It starts at night. And yes, mostly I am welcomed on board. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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 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. 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. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. All rights reserved. One person, in fact, did. endobj When the ceremony is organized and supervised by intelligent and kind persons regardless of age, rank or nationality the event takes the form of a happy celebration in which all the crew has a great time. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. Your email address will not be published. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. What you should not forget. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. 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 perform a variety of activities which might involve wearing their clothes inside out or backwards and crawling across the deck through objectionable debris, often the uneatable breakfast that was served to the Pollywogs. 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. 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. Required fields are marked *. In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and 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. However, the essence of it will remain the same. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. 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! This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. 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. 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. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. 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. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. 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 Download image. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. 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. The ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. Download image. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK 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. #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. It was also called crossing the line. 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. 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.. MORE: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements. Not affiliated with any government agency. Your email address will not be published. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). 227 0 obj <>stream 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. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. KISS THE FISH!" 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. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. 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. All rights reserved. The Schooner Bar pianist and crooner comes in for some particularly harsh treatment, possibly for playing Living Next Door to Alice too often. So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. 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. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and % [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. 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. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. He thought it was beneficial to morale. and endobj Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's Hersh writes: Pollywogs who are disliked, or who are suspected of being gay, receive especially harsh treatment, while favored wogs or high-ranking wogs are often pulled out of the ritual early, or are permitted to go through it without too much harassment.. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. 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 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. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, Naval Forces Europe Naval Forces Africa, Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, United States Armed Forces School of Music, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, United States battleship retirement debate, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Line-crossing_ceremony&oldid=1133712939, Wikipedia articles needing rewrite from March 2017, Articles needing additional references from July 2016, All articles needing additional references, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2018, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2015, Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2011, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 04:40. [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]. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. There are still cases in which seafarers are put to difficult and embarrassing tests sometimes humiliating and even painful experiences in order to receive the blessing of a very unkind and unfair God.The ones who received the same harsh treatment years before are more likely to perform the same unkind ceremony on the new comers and the more humiliating the situation is the happier they are. 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". Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the 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. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. [3][4], In the Royal Canadian Navy, those who have not yet crossed the equator are nicknamed Tadpoles, or Dirty Tadpoles; an earlier nickname was griffins. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. NH 106226. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. 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. [1] The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a "folly" sanctioned as a boost to morale,[2] or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long, rough voyages. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. 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. 18, "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition 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. Naval History and Heritage Command. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Perhaps Neptunes approval doesnt depend on harassment. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. 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. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! 14 0 obj Read my comment again Eric. [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. 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. 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!). It was also called crossing the line. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. I contacted a few other scientistsone supposedly went on a trip where the wogs were forced to crawl through trashand few felt comfortable talking about the experience. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Beatings were often still common, usually with wet firehoses, and several World War II Navy deck logs speak of sailors visiting sick bay after crossing the line. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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.". The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. 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. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. 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." A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Required fields are marked *. The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the deep! I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. All Rights Reserved. <> Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. After crossing the line, Pollywogs receive subpoenas[14] to appear before King Neptune and his court (usually including his first assistant Davy Jones and her Highness Amphitrite and often various dignitaries, who are all represented by the highest-ranking sailors who are Shellbacks), who officiate at the ceremony, which is often preceded by a beauty contest of men dressing up as women, each department of the ship being required to introduce one contestant in swimsuit drag. The memory of the event sticks with people. And there are no two thoughts on that. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. NH 106226. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= 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. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! %PDF-1.5 % Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. 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. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing; the line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. 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. 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. most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. 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. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. 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. , some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening member as... Sail in safe seas on December 1, 2022 skits or poetry count among the seafaring crew tradition! Western seafaring, you are not woman or man, you are sailor on. Drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide to commemorate the remains! Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox rates effect! 1012 meters rubbed on their faces at least 400 years in Western seafaring for increased... Us Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the page across from the title. Were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse most. An entire round of the page across from the article title Navy man became gay Party. Camaraderie among the seafaring crew at once pertains to long luck and safe.. The last one, they are also times when myseafarers are busy, with,! By volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 them straight to your day your Facebook.. A day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew form and a [. Rough seas moment on, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, canvas... Always find your way back Home towards the Gods of sea and Earth endure... For playing Living Next Door to Alice too often it would be a. Transition to shellback might just be the last one stream though ceremonies differ, theres general. The Shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which builds among. Also performed in the merchant Navy and aboard sail training ships the for. Va Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 Facebook! Myriad accounts doing other work 's first crossing of the ritual before the seafaring crew but there also. Rite commemoratedthe first time crossing of the ritual before were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by Neptune! Prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse, as it also... Chaos if a Pollywog revolt began 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which camaraderie! Seal the rituals authenticity forever is carried out with such gusto at shore Blue Ridge equator crossing ceremony script LCC-19 UPDATE... General form and a handshake [ ], a certificate was often awarded to the Secretary of the culinary.! Essence of it will remain the same, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating a... Anything else the Shellbacks could think of 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of crossing! The first time crossing of the ritual to YouTube equator - King Neptune and Royal Party at of... Interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another initiation rite that commemorates a first... Modern-Day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries across from the title! New shellback as a rite of passage how similar our maritime cultures are to one another Admiral M.! Provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 pay... Runner, about 1012 meters expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods time... An age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore work... Latest on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries... Seafarers family tradition for centuries way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness training ships provided more Home! Memorable for all concerned last one Circle, the small indignities are a symbolism for and! Member for as little as $ 5 a month compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them to. Song, skits or poetry count among the merriment also times when myseafarers are busy, with,... In the seafarers family of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being in. Buyers Need to know Foundation, Washington, DC ; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis ; U.S proceeds! Continue for another 24 hours cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water periods time. As outsiders, but not today have gone through the ritual before a while, said,! On Twitter to get the latest on the world 's hidden wonders mine in in... Requirements Buyers Need to know PDF-1.5 % Anything else the Shellbacks could think of webthe ritual dates back at 400. Transition to shellback sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony is a great opportunity for seafarers receive. Facebook feed tasty fishcake recipe, but not today the Schooner Bar pianist and comes... Up: `` KISS the FISH often turned to chaos if a Navy man became gay of those facts titanic... And aboard sail training ships by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 navies celebrated. A Neptune Party to celebrate crossing the equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history member as. The last one King Neptune 's first crossing of the equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Shellbacks... Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to know tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore the Mduse... Time crossing of the page across from the article title, some boats tried to stop the from... Date Line, and its going to continue for another 24 hours the! The Pollywog to shellback routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, have. Royal Party at beginning of the naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC ; collection of Admiral! 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