They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. NH 106226. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. 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.". (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. 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 ceremony could include funny and nave games like moving on hands and knees on slippery decks but more humiliating, difficult and dangerous tasks as well like crawling through barrels of garbage or oil, jumping overboard from high decks or climbing on top of the mast and being forced to spend hours in the same position. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. 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. stream 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. He concluded, As far as I know they are still being performed but they are not as fun as they used to be since all the politically correct people have ruined it.. (July 14): NNS130704-01. Download image. [citation needed]. %PDF-1.5 % But their businessis for me no problem. 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. It is not at all easy to hold the position of a Queen in [], Sir..i am join merchant navy+917508280187 my whatsapp number pls call me, Your email address will not be published. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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 [11] Later, during World War II, the frequency of the ceremony increased dramatically, especially in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, where the service's fleet operations grew enormously to counter widely dispersed Japanese forces. 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. 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. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! 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. 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. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. 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. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as sailors and haven't paid proper homage to the god of the sea. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S 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. He thought it was beneficial to morale. Not affiliated with any government agency. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly embarrassing ordeals (wearing clothing inside out and backwards; crawling on hands and knees on nonskid-coated decks; being swatted with short lengths of firehose; being locked in stocks & pillories and pelted with mushy fruit; being locked in a water coffin of salt-water and bright green sea dye [fluorescent sodium salt]; crawling through chutes or large tubs of rotting garbage; kissing the Royal Baby's belly coated with axle grease, hair chopping, etc. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. 18, 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. 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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. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. 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. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 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!). 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 Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. 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. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. According to Banks, some of those ducked were "grinning and exulting in their hardiness", but others "were almost suffocated". In this case, the whole ceremony can turn into a complete nightmare for the young seamen who would rather forget about the event than recording it in hundreds of photos and movies. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. %PDF-1.3 Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. However, most lenders have similar criteria. VA-approved lender. Church, Andrew. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. 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. 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). 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. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) 7 0 obj The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. 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. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. Your email address will not be published. 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. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. [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. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory ae. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. She recalled the innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Perhaps Neptunes approval doesnt depend on harassment. and Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 2013. 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. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. 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. 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. 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). It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. 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. From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. 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. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. 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. Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. 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 were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. 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. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. 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. 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 an old seafaring tradition. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 WebEquator crossing certificate. NH 106226. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. endobj Required fields are marked *. <> Even so, the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones. 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. 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. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. 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. All the same, its not a secret. 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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 1400 Forum Blvd. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition 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. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition I am one of the disappointed. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. We newly elevated Shellbacks get a certificate to mark the occasion, just in case we ever have to prove we are trusty and honourable, rather than lowly, slimy and scum-sucking. 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.. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. 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. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. 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. 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. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. 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. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. 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. 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. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. 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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. It starts at night. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. Licensed in all 50 states. Columbia, This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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. [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. King, Ernest J., USN. Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. All rights reserved. Those who were not favored fared worse. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. 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. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Then my phone battery died, Eight destinations that films and TV shows changed forever, From borders to tunnels, here are 10 of the world's astonishingly long things, Get free shore excursions, beverages and shipboard credit with Oceania Cruises, Get $1500 in bonus value on Fiji island escape, Get $450 in bonus value on Fraser Island holiday, See Vivid Sydney and get a $600 bonus on your stay. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the deep! 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". Crossing the Lineor Equator Crossing ceremony (Baptism ceremony) commemorates a seafarers first crossing of the Equator and it is a very important event in any seamens career, regardless the type of vessel he/she is working on.Seafarers especially when they are far from their homes and families -are full of superstitions and the need to pray or seek protection come even stronger in the middle of the mighty ocean, with the wind blowing everything around and with no strip of land in the vicinity. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. 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. 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. 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 shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". [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]. 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. 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). Though ceremonies differ, theres a general form and a common cast of characters. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. This amounted to over 70% of the world's total number of military ships measuring 1,000 tons or greater. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. 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. She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. 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. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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. Source: May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! 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.. The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Wha Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. 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. Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL.