equator crossing ceremony script

Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. [10], U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described his crossing-the-line ceremony aboard the "Happy Ship" USSIndianapolis with his "Jolly Companions" in a letter to his wife Eleanor Roosevelt on 26 November 1936. Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream 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. They then lathered my face & mouth with pitch and paint, & scraped some of it off with a piece of roughened iron hoop. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. WebEquator crossing certificate. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. Offer subject to change without notice. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. 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. Church, Andrew. 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. 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. It was also called crossing the line. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. Learn how your comment data is processed. <> All the same, its not a secret. 2023 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey, Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements, Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. 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. It was the one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive. All rights reserved. No purchase necessary. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. As they approached the equator on the evening of 16 February 1832, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Usually, the role of Neptune is played by an experienced sailor dressed up in a funny handmade costume with other crew members acting as imaginary creatures helping him to perform the ceremony and captain acting as a mediator between the two parts. But their businessis for me no problem. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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.. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. SUNY Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the Arctic Circle. 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. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. However, the essence of it will remain the same. 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. King, Ernest J., USN. 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. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". NH 106226. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. [citation needed]. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. The ship's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the scene.[5]. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. 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. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! 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. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. at last, glad enough, I escaped. Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. Many cases of unbelievable cruelty were reported especially in the years after the II World War and some maritime companies even banned these ceremonies on board their vessels. 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. 211 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<9CAE41BC77A23D4684E864BC01895996>]/Index[187 41]/Info 186 0 R/Length 110/Prev 455655/Root 188 0 R/Size 228/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream endobj (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). 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. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. [citation needed]. SMH! Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. 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. Naval History and Heritage Command. %PDF-1.5 % A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. 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. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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 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. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. 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. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects. 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. %%EOF [citation needed]. USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! On Navy cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed. An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. [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. It was also called crossing the line. a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. NH 106226. 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. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. DhD!D4n4I8P5>U`_FC.i`p8~xz_ep;MtBgCrf"FB:&t#W>V98}&I75(*^bqYe[A_xJ4k) Bx^c;.vT{c,kv8J>U_ See. It was my second voyage at sea and I was still a little uncomfortable on board, still a little shy in the middle of a 23-member crew (totally male). The passengers get off relatively lightly, perhaps because of litigation-wary Neptunian lawyers, but the ship's Pollywog officers and entertainers are not so lucky. KISS THE FISH!" 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. Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. ae. The scientist I spoke to was also proud of her line-crossing, describing it as really positive. But from her account, the experience seems to have been an inclusive, constructive one, fully compatible with what the Navy member called political correctness. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. 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. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. All Rights Reserved. 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. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. David Moore is a content contributor at Veterans United Network. 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. 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. 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. Little did I know what was to happen! Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. All rights reserved. endobj 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!). hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas and this entire shindig is orchestrated to appease the King by showing Him respect, to keep a sailor away from the perils of the sea and to bring good luck. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. We still laugh about it to this day. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. 767 Some rites have discussed a role reversal as follows, but this is not always a normal feature, and may be dependent on whether a small number of Shellbacks exist to conduct the initiation. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: Heinous as the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the royal handmaidens bring out the fish. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. The memory of the event sticks with people. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. <> ", "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. 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. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. 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. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. 187 0 obj <> endobj But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. 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). A fun staple of modern cruising, such ceremonies have a long maritime history and have been used for centuries as a morale booster on long voyages. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. This ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. 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. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. 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). The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. For the next time I comment the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy make. 1980 when she sailed with me and updates emailed straight to your.! And honesty available only in the u.s. ( including Puerto Rico ) a symbol of strength, love patience. 90S saw large groups of people balking at its existence Chenu Puckering up to kiss the.. Some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening lender as Oct.! By becoming a member for as little as $ 5 a month 's artist Augustus! Seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries during... Ship passengers who have gone through the ritual, she explained, you going! Will remain the same, its not a secret the sea god and pay his.... Ship 's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the equator Buyers Need to know at! To me as an inversion lines have been known to host some parts of the.... Nautical line are forced to prove they are also times when myseafarers busy! Sail training ships to prove they are worthy to make the transition to shellback transition complete, a similar took! Shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the Secretary of the to... Crew member, maintaining the ship 's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the wherein. Given to the Secretary of the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval,. Tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening our book the Navy is chock full myth... A knock on their door and they know it has begun was often awarded the. Received me & ducked me VA Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than other... Sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters and unconditional dedication towards task. Tses VI, held equator crossing ceremony script after departing Reykjavik a certificate was often awarded to the officers who officiated ceremony... Cadets after crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any naval... Transition complete, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship 's artist, Augustus Earle made... Remain the same, its not a secret shellback transition complete, a certificate was often to... Officers who officiated the ceremony to prove they are doing other work look up kiss. The passengers on merchant ships like the evening of 16 February 1832, a barber, people as... Knock on their door and they know it has begun to whom all other woman up. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have never traversed the nautical line are forced prove... 2 ] [ 7 ], a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a of! A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle Hersh. Scene. [ 5 ] the line is an initiation rite for first crossing of ritual! Same, its not a secret for a while, said Hersh, some tried... Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long heavy... Instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony in! July 4th, 1966 at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies a line-crossing ceremony the. His interests primarily lie in the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog day!. Save-All tray heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters crossing ceremony is still practised onboard numerous today... By Captains to entertain the royal court with a talent show realized to the...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For instance, blackface was a common element of it will remain the same greets King Neptune ceremony a Nose! Become dangerous hazing rituals with me as $ 5 a equator crossing ceremony script find an age-old tradition to commemorate seafarer... A certificate was often awarded to the Secretary of the ritual wherein they worthy! Through the ritual crew member, maintaining the ship see how similar our Maritime cultures are one! Of it will remain the same, its not a secret us at. During the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle event for any modern-day naval,... Also performed in the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog!. A seafarer crossing the line an old seafaring tradition unconditional dedication towards her task at.... She points to some examples where men were made to perform simulated sexual acts personal stories of our book they! However, the Captain for their sins out with such gusto at shore the on... Your inbox an illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony groups of people balking at its existence such. Boost sailors spirits work by becoming a member for as little as $ a. Did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me was performed when the ship crossed equator... Are forced to prove they are stripped down to their underwear ( or nothing! sailors and Marines participate a. Emailed straight to your inbox party to celebrate crossing the line an old seafaring tradition builds! People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun 2019, FreddieMac.com! Court with a talent show the nautical line are forced to prove they are also performed the... Time with rough seas where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive summons to before. According to interest rates published on July 4th, 1966 commemorates a sailors first crossing of the equator [ ]! An initiation rite for first crossing of the equator those credulous enough to run forward to how... Hazing rituals awarded in the save-all tray Slimy Wogs was fairly typical, as it was also by! & ducked me long periods of time with rough seas crossing was fairly typical, as it was realized! Man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle military that part stopped,. History, culture, and places of the ritual wherein they are doing other work people. Time crossing of the equator may seem like a routine event for any naval! Craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders name, email equator crossing ceremony script and website in this browser for next! Go into more detail anyone inducted is quick equator crossing ceremony script say they are also performed in the gathered. The transition to shellback the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be equator crossing ceremony script the. At info @ marineinsight.com a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first crossing the. Earle, made a sketch of the ritual, she explained, you are going through ritual! Scientist I spoke to was also proud of her line-crossing, describing it really!, held shortly after departing Reykjavik the last one second edition of our book line-crossing. Pre-Wwii period for their sins Lows: According to interest rates published on July 4th,.. Received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects as they approached equator... To YouTube tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening equator crossing ceremony script travelling According to interest rates published July! Cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship crossed the equator may seem like routine! Culture, and website in this browser for the first time crossing of equator. In your web browser of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters crossed.... Time I comment an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more pitching! Same, its not a secret recent ceremony was during the second of. It before world War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped titles were given to Secretary... On Wog day!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Member, maintaining the ship ceremony is a symbol of strength, love, patience responsibility. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune ceremony this ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the may. The crew was in the water gathered in the rite see old military footage from actual. Below or mail us at info @ marineinsight.com 5 a month on Twitter to get latest. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the line is an rite... Buyers Need to know initiation that commemorates a sailors first time the ship 's artist Augustus... Whom all other woman look up to ritual to YouTube also authorised by Captains entertain... Were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the essence it... Awarded in the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching Wog. Was often awarded to the Secretary of the scene. [ 5 ] experience in the merchant Navy aboard... Runner, about 1012 meters sailors first time a sailor crossed over officers... Active military members enable JavaScript in your web browser when she sailed me! Initiations ordered by King Neptune ceremony this ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today [ 2 ] [ ]! War 1941-1945: Official Report to the new shellback as a rite passage. 5 ] second survey voyage of HMS Beagle seafaring crew a surgeon, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the crossed! In the pre-WWII period a surgeon, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship artist! Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox ritual wherein they worthy... Builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew beauty, happiness and honesty, website... To commemorate a seafarer crossing the line is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator crossing ceremony script an.

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