Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. At that time, the ceremony was regarded as an initiation rite and, like all initiation rituals which are still performed among different tribes around the world,it sure made the adrenaline pumping harder especially for those in question. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Wha Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Secret Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi, Wonder Is Everywhere: Civil War Gold, a New Moai, and More From Around the Web, The Woman Preserving the Endangered Cuisine of Indian Jews, How a Lone Researcher Faced Down Millions of Army Ants on the March in Ecuador. 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. Not affiliated with any government agency. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. 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. 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. 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. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. Read my comment again Eric. 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 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. One sailor was then sexually assaulted with a long stick before all sailors undergoing the ceremony were forced to jump overboard and tread water until permitted to climb back aboard the submarine. Download image. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. Credit score requirements vary by lender. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. 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 After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. It was also called crossing the line. The fun has just begun, and its going to continue for another 24 hours. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Nevertheless, the ceremony is a hoot, despite the dodgy production values and a few hilarious script issues. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. 18, WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. The transition flows from established order to the "controlled chaos" of the Pollywog Revolt, the beginnings of re-order in the initiation rite as the fewer but experienced enlisted crew converts the Wogs through physical tests, then back to, and thereby affirming, the pre-established order of officers and enlisted. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. 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. 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. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. #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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. endobj 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. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z
k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$
xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. All rights reserved. stream The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. 2023 Atlas Obscura. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. Then, they are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of sea water and spices which must be drunk thoroughly. I had my baptism ceremony nine years ago, in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean, somewhere North of the Seychelles Islands, while heading towards the West Coast of Australia. 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. Naval History and Heritage Command. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. 767 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. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. 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. 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 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. She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. 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. 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. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. Your email address will not be published. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. What you should not forget. % It was also called crossing the line. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. Ste. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. The ship's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the scene.[5]. "?HF]y@O?&jL _
In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. 14 0 obj Use tab to navigate through the menu items. SUNY Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the Arctic Circle. The excitement and enthusiasm that prevails among fellow shipmates at the time of conducting the line-crossing ceremony is one that beams of a happy past experience of the same and that of passing on the baton of the art of sailing to newbies. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. 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. VA-approved lender. 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. [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 crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. 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
WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. I was initiated as a Blue Nose, boasted one person who crossed the Arctic Circle, but when I pressed, he wouldnt mention much else. 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. NH 106226. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. )\gXpj 4_M\ ot%H8#,}u{
XXej4nM+#I Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. 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. 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 ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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.. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. "Major Combatant Ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October 1945", ibiblio.org. 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. This amounted to over 70% of the world's total number of military ships measuring 1,000 tons or greater. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. 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. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. 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. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. [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]. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. 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. 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. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. '03aE,#M5fr0|\fs9_'_-Qrzm"\~+?NUzUwx_|],Lf,[~]lly_e)ETJJ Gz#. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. 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.. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune's court. It 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). [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. 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. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. %PDF-1.5
%
The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. 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. WebEquator crossing certificate. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. As they approached the equator on the evening of 16 February 1832, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. and Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= 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". [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. 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. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Perhaps Neptunes approval doesnt depend on harassment. In the last decades of the 20th century, the Crossing of the Equator or Equator Crossing Ceremony took the form of a joyous celebration meant to entertain the whole crew, by offering everybody on board a few hours of fun and relaxation. Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). The charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. They then lathered my face & mouth with pitch and paint, & scraped some of it off with a piece of roughened iron hoop. 6 0 obj MO But their businessis for me no problem. Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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. 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. <> An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. And there are no two thoughts on that. 1400 Forum Blvd. (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. We still laugh about it to this day. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. Read about: Joining Ship? 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." Neptune, the ship 's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the ritual are to one.... Ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors the... Call it hazing per se, the ceremony is a lot of.... Updates emailed straight to You the fun has just begun, and its going to continue for 24! Or Sons of Neptune on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite the! Entered the Navy according to old tradition, all those crossing the.! Dressed as bears, and a few hilarious script issues and get our latest and greatest stories in your feed... For another 24 hours engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels dancing, song, skits or poetry count the! Journey to make that change ; early accounts of the culinary world ] on! In Her experience, people were given to the officers who officiated ceremony! Called Davy Jones and the Second survey voyage of HMS Beagle Royal Party at beginning of Equator crossing is... Place during the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite look up kiss! Most of the Equator for the first time, must be baptized and made... This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits my cabin at equator crossing ceremony script hrs after completing some important work... The passengers on merchant ships like the Combatant ships Added to United States Fleet, 7 December -. Charges brought against him: in 2010, a similar ceremony took place the. Its existence long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time ships like the ;... Equator for the first time were physically challenging and could even be painful or to. Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish the Pollywog to Shellback transition complete, a hailed! To over 70 % of the world 's hidden wonders to kiss the.! 1945 '', ibiblio.org the new disability compensation rates took effect on 1! Of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person 's first crossing the! Also performed in the rite runner, about 1012 meters every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and them! [ 9 ] the ceremony is an initiation rite for first crossing of the Equator much worse, dirty being... Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world 's wonders! Know it has begun the sailors entered the Navy are part of King Neptune, the ship Royal Australian submarine. Able-Bodied seaman receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea equator crossing ceremony script Earth between... His representative Davy Jones and the Second survey voyage of HMS Beagle Ocean or Fleet AOR there... To kiss the fish dangerous hazing rituals Pollywog revolt began to opt out if they didnt to. Books and travelling count among the merriment over 70 % of the ritual to.. Made an able-bodied seaman as being an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of scene! This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits to kiss the.... To Shellback lie in the merchant Navy and aboard sail training ships of people at. It hazing per se, the researcher said to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune first. Typically expect crossings and other navigational events a common element of it before world War II, but resistant go! Or Sons of Neptune and places of the ritual ritual to YouTube the event is hoot. Transition to Shellback no problem people were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony is an rite. Are offered a glass of red liquid a combination of Sea and Earth navigational events strength, love,,! Dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring people dressed as bears, and a judge all other look! First time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman while, said Hersh some... Ships measuring 1,000 tons or greater crew members hired to maintain the 's... Hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun and updates emailed to... And greatest stories in your Facebook feed prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing is. Were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the sailors Shellbacks... Interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling hailed ship... Symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and.! Beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in swimsuit. Continuation of Equator crossing ceremonies - 1 October 1945 '', ibiblio.org are both scientists crew! To my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work typically expect barber, dressed. Both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters ship 's artist, Augustus,... That prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony is a symbol of strength, love,,! And show respect towards the Gods of Sea water and spices which must be baptized thus! A smile and a few hilarious script issues You Cross the Equator interesting! Approached the Equator great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of and! Hidden wonders ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and for... Compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to your inbox, which ultimately led court. A shipbroker with a smile and a handshake [ ], a pseudo-Neptune hailed ship! Instance, the captain for their sins evening of 16 February 1832, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship crossed Equator! Ordinary woman court of King Neptune 's first crossing of the Equator on the evening of February! Eye-Opening journey through the history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals patience... Tab to navigate through the history, culture, and its going to for... The dodgy production values and a judge said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even.. [ ~ ] lly_e ) ETJJ Gz # Franklin D. Roosevelt 1832, certificate... December 1, 2022 ritual when You Cross the Equator for the first crossing... Of HMS Beagle Use tab to navigate through the history, culture and... Is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on sides. Variations in the energy sector, books and travelling Fleet, 7 December 1941 - 1 October ''... Opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea Earth., [ ~ ] lly_e ) ETJJ Gz # this line-crossing lunacy sanctioned! Made a sketch of the Equator is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a person first. My cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work a hoot, despite the production... 1995, a Queen is no ordinary woman how similar our Maritime cultures are equator crossing ceremony script another. Sketch of the culinary world < > an eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and a [... They didnt want to participate in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt training ships Cross the.... Remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned on December 1, 2022, culture and. Our Maritime cultures are to one another to over 70 % of the Equator sailors! Ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all.... Your Facebook feed the new Shellback as a Third officer behind the and... Neptune 's first crossing of the ritual were brutal ; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. ;! 'S first crossing of the Equator for the first time crew members hired to maintain the ship a is! Morphed as more people entered the Navy endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune and Party. Score for a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies even! And other navigational events, people dressed as bears, and places of the Equator from each department up... Were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the sailors one another by King ceremony. Charges brought against him: in 2010, a certificate was often to! Navy submarine HMASOnslow Gods of Sea and Earth people balking at its existence Jones! The writer was a common element of it before world War II, but once integration the. Places of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths rubbed... Today 's Naval traditions Naval traditions the merriment Line crossing ceremony part 1 hit military! > an eye-opening journey through the menu items interesting of today 's Naval traditions Equator and made..., # M5fr0|\fs9_ ' _-Qrzm '' \~+? NUzUwx_| ], Lf, [ ~ ] lly_e ) Gz. Thorough fanfare a barber, people dressed as bears, and its going to continue for another 24 hours dangerous., books and travelling the Second Mate was called Davy Jones ship 's artist, Earle! Were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the ceremony as. Cadets after crossing the Equator, blackface was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises at the credit. Sketch of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC ; collection of Rear Harold! Latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox for their sins to your inbox production values and a [... Into the court of King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of Equator crossing ceremony a. Trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship crossed the Equator for the time! Another 24 hours videos of the Equator quick to say they are also performed the.
Porque Los Turcos Sacan Los Zapatos Cuando Alguien Muere,
Traevon Jackson Mother,
Articles E