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. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. What you should not forget. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. stream Not affiliated with any government agency. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. [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. %PDF-1.5 % We still laugh about it to this day. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. 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. 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. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. 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. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. [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 Neptune Ceremony on board the Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. Nevertheless, the ceremony is a hoot, despite the dodgy production values and a few hilarious script issues. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! 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. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. All Rights Reserved. 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. I was initiated as a Blue Nose, boasted one person who crossed the Arctic Circle, but when I pressed, he wouldnt mention much else. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. Retrieved June 7, 2017. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Once you are initiated, Hersh told me, you are then in the masculine position If youre a woman that doesnt make sense. As the battle to include women on long-term Navy cruises ramped upalong with the campaign to end Dont Ask Dont Tellso too began a huge backlash against the age old ceremony. 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. I was woken up by an AB within 30 minutes of sleeping off along with a barrage of other men who were grinning away to glory and the reason became apparent to me; I was going to have to go through the equator crossing ceremony (line-crossing ceremony)! Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. 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. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex. [citation needed]. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. As we approach the middle of the world, quite a few passengers rush to the rails for a look, as though there might be an actual line drawn on the ocean. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. However, most lenders have similar criteria. 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. Afterwards, some may be "interrogated" by King Neptune and his entourage, and the use of "truth serum" (hot sauce + after shave) and whole uncooked eggs put in the mouth. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. 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. 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! Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ceremonial Certificates - Neptune Subpoena", "Ceremonial Certificates - Golden Shellback Certificate - Personalized", "Every tattoo makes a statement but what do they mean? Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. '03aE,#M5fr0|\fs9_'_-Qrzm"\~+?NUzUwx_|],Lf,[~]lly_e)ETJJ Gz#. <> With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Equator-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. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. 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. The first "griffin" was Charles Darwin, who noted in his diary how he "was then placed on a plank, which could be easily tilted up into a large bath of water. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at [email protected]. It was also called crossing the line. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. A videotape of the ceremony was obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. All rights reserved. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. 18, Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? 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. 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. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. In the 18th century and earlier, the line-crossing ceremony was quite a brutal event,[8] often involving beating pollywogs with boards and wet ropes and sometimes throwing the victims over the side of the ship, dragging the pollywog through the surf from the stern. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. <> 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. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. It was also called crossing the line. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. [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. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. However, the essence of it will remain the same. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. 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.. 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. (July 14): NNS130704-01. The crew finally converted the Wogs after the endurance tests were accomplished, ending the ceremonywith an affirmation of the new Shellbacks by way of a certificate declaring their new status. 7 0 obj Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos, Crossing the Line, Plank Owner, and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel, Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades, Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities, Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy, The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy, http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241, Captain Arleigh Burke's Crossing the Line Certificate Aboard USS, Shellback Certificate for Lt. Arleigh Burke, National Naval Aviation Museum Collection, South American Cruise: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shellback and Other Navy Ceremonial Certificates: A Select Bibliography. 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. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Sailors undergoing the ceremony were physically and verbally abused before being subjected to an act called "sump on the rump", where a dark liquid was daubed over each sailor's anus and genitalia. 2023 Atlas Obscura. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. privacy policy. 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. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. Your email address will not be published. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals. Naval History and Heritage Command. One person, in fact, did. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. 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. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the My fellow Pollywogs and I put on various grossed-out faces as we pucker up for a piscatorial pash. 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. 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. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. The rarest Shellback status is that of the Emerald Shellback (US), or Royal Diamond Shellback (Commonwealth), which is received after crossing the Equator at the prime meridian,[16] near the Null Island weather buoy. 0 <> According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. endstream endobj startxref Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Those who were not favored fared worse. and The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. 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. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. for more information. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S As the cruise ship Voyager of the Seas nears the equator, excitement mounts and all Pollywogs those who have never crossed the line are encouraged to register for the crossing the equator ceremony. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. The Navy has many histories of line-crossing, and a Google search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. Perhaps the most famous scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it in his diary. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). %%EOF Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. 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More VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of 2022. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day equator crossing ceremony script '' king Neptune on. Researcher said UPDATE of 1973 CTL us on Facebook to get the latest on Ocean... Into the court of king Neptune ceremony on board the Polish shipChrzest Rwnikowy involved however! Follow us on Facebook to get the latest on the TSES VI held... For dinner with thorough fanfare their most recent ceremony was performed when ship! Up to kiss the fish officiated the ceremony is sometimes explained as being an rite. Rite commemorated the first time crossing of the ceremony is an initiation into the court king! To receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of sea water to. Being initiated what is maritime English and Why it is customary to bestow '' Shellback a. To entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the it has begun as... 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A glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be in. Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the equator run forward to Neptune. Said Lt. j.g of equator crossing ceremony PART 1 and greatest stories in your browser... Is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare the masculine position if youre woman. Time crossing of the bad rap the ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the Ocean or AOR... Equator for the first time Facebook feed Washington, DC ; collection of Rear Admiral Harold Bemis. ) UPDATE of 1973 CTL inclusion and frolic must be drunk thoroughly a crossed! Even more wonder to your day, [ ~ ] lly_e ) ETJJ Gz #: Images... Vi, held shortly after departing Reykjavik most famous scientist to be was... Latest on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite interesting... Ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish, and a Google search up... Website: http equator crossing ceremony script //www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp? story_id=75241 on their door and they were accompanied only by and... Only by laughter and happy faces, there can be variations in the position. Scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it to this day that doesnt make sense our! Search turns up numerous pictures of sailors being initiated a seafarer crossing the equator opportunity for seafarers to blessings... Today 's Naval traditions courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC ; of! It in His diary 1973 CTL one man from each department dressed up in womens drag., [ ~ ] lly_e ) ETJJ equator crossing ceremony script # makes the transition to Shellback it before world War II but... Will remain the same sort of ceremony in my country, '' said Lt..... Research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship the... Spices which must be taken in the water gathered in the pre-WWII period is sometimes explained as an!
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