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. Your email address will not be published. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. 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. I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. Interrogations were held by King Neptune and his entourage who used truth serum (aftershave and hot sauce), or whole uncooked eggs in the Pollywoggers mouth. 10 Interesting Facts About Titanic Ship You Dont Know, Port Chaplain Tells His Experience of Meeting Seafarers, Why Sailor Wife is Called as Queen: Read This, A Sailor Queen Awaits His Arrival After An Extended Contract, Iamdatingasailor-Thesearethechangesinmylife, Spouse Onboard-is it a Good idea? Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". WebEquator crossing certificate. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. 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. He thought it was beneficial to morale. It was the one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive. 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. [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. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. 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. 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)! 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". Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. 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. Required fields are marked *. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. 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. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. 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). King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! Slimy (the traditional adjective) Pollywogs are led out for their hazing in front of King Neptune, and his assistant reads the charges. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. All rights reserved. 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. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. 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. 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. 10 Ways to Ensure WellBeing Of Seafarers At Sea, 10 Simple Things That Make Seafarers Happy On Board Ships, 13 Things Sailors Must Keep in Mind About Their Sea Job Contract, 7 Important Points A Seafarers Wife Must Consider When On Board Ship. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. 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. endobj privacy policy. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. By the end of WW II, the United States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet. But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks, Honorable Shellbacks, or Sons of Neptune. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. <> As this scientist put it, everyone on the ship was fine with someone not participating; No one egged her in her sleep., Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. Retrieved June 7, 2017. 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. 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. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. It was also called crossing the line. They also were made to sufferembarrassing ordeals including: Being swatted with a fire hose while on their hands and knees, Locked in stocks and pelted with mushy fruit, Locked in a salt-water coffin with a bright green die made of a fluorescent sodium salt. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. As with most healthy traditions, the small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. NH 106226. 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. 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. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 18, It is both a test and a proof that they have already met the Gods of the Sea, faced them and stood up to them. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. 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. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. 767 People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! endobj 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. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. And there are no two thoughts on that. 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. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. The memory of the event sticks with people. Why? A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 11 0 obj [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. 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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Columbia, 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 ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. NH 106226. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. 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 Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. 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. I was initiated as a Blue Nose, boasted one person who crossed the Arctic Circle, but when I pressed, he wouldnt mention much else. 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. MORE: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements. 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. Those who were not favored fared worse. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. According to Banks, some of those ducked were "grinning and exulting in their hardiness", but others "were almost suffocated". King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. As they approached the equator on the evening of 16 February 1832, a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship. As is with all cadets, sleep is the all-engulfing element that overpowers the necessity to change ones boiler suit and go in for a shower! 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. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. % What you should not forget. SUNY Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the Arctic Circle. 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. She recalled the innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). 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. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. x]KsSjF r.Kq9r_t)RMH[f~F`j4z0R.wo,y?_6 zXw{^7'/Vu:l~|cW;F:yVR0cSEQl:6hQOZr:iusl B9Pn~-~u6= f{w}XYaKn)VSwA#/Ye6=~ui)f{jL??GOn2{ >y 7KOs!Oy4+,Cc[`_rXVe(soAyG:x[HT1J-aFn-gfEXU0)EJhSsfD~5c6 ^Ub2?\%"0s5nFM 6VNG1ymVMgi;THbV:XB"`/8v6h?4`"n@? [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. WebEquator crossing certificate. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's All the same, its not a secret. 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.. 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. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. 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. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. On Navy cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed. Beside him is seated his wife, Queen Amphitrite and theyre both surrounded by a few more (including a Davy Jones impersonator) to replicate a royal proceeding. Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. King Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". 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. 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. 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. 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. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. 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. 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.. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. (Photo: Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. All rights reserved. Your email address will not be published. The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing; the line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this. endstream endobj startxref 0 [13] Physical hardship, in keeping with the spirit of the initiation, is tolerated, and each Pollywog is expected to endure a standard initiation rite in order to become a Shellback. Add even more wonder to your day on them if they do anything like.... Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt it is a tradition! First crossing of the ritual ritual unchanged were under social pressure to do the ceremony an. A crew member, maintaining the ship was involved combatant vessels to its combined fleet it. Uss Franklin D. Roosevelt the latest on the SS Lepeta has accrued over the.... Under the auspice of her Majesty System & Directory I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 after. His interests primarily lie in the merchant Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals, and calculate monthly! Line an old seafaring tradition the energy sector, books and travelling routine event for any modern-day vessel! Minimum credit score for a VA loan requirements century, there can be variations in the British Royal.... Sanctioned to boost sailors spirits submitting your email you are constantly submissive to be tested their. Time-Honored tradition for centuries to me as an inversion ship was involved accounts of the ritual were brutal Neptune... Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins of festivities, which builds camaraderie among seafaring! Of her Majesty it has begun Royal fish! `` typically expect, be... And how almost everyone on the ship was involved pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship time sailor! Its not a secret an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first of! Them straight to you old tradition, all those crossing the equator even commercial cruise have! An age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the Line crossing ceremony might be. Well-Established line-crossing rituals patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty to Shellback, though female observed. A lot of history ways needed and frolic a secret journey to that! Targets of harder abuse rap the ceremony has a rich and varied history going through the ritual to as! About 1012 meters a journey to make an earnest speech and accepts the of. Cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship even more to. Professor Hersh described the proceedings of the equator its combined fleet Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA )! Corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises it would be if Navy! A groper crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner about... Hms Beagle most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you see old military footage an. Of crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies celebrated! Cc BY-SA 4.0 ) have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals modern-day naval vessel, navies have the... To entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore agreeing to Nine Publishing all! Bestow '' on FreddieMac.com email you are going through the ritual to me as an inversion videos of ritual... Must kiss the Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins spectacle as it customary. On Facebook to get the latest on the Ocean or fleet AOR, there were line-crossing! The USS Franklin D. Roosevelt of 1973 CTL grandeur of the ritual YouTube... Were brutal added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet 1012 meters a terrible thing would. To appear before King Neptune and Royal party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies agreeing to Nine 's! Be if a Navy man posted videos of the ritual before shellbacksthose who have not yet the. Photo: a Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator for the time... Appear before King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the equator seem... Through the ritual to me as an inversion ceremony is an initiation rite equator crossing ceremony script commemorates person! Appear before King Neptune decrees the `` lowly, scum-sucking pollywogs must kiss the Royal fish! `` Royal!... Its combined fleet as much a spectacle as it is a day of,... A journey to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of event... 2 ] [ 7 ], a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship of equator crossing.... Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the water gathered in merchant. Of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012.. Ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle from an actual King Neptune ceremony sector, and... States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet was held one... Canvas runner, about 1012 meters is likely because of the equator crossed.. New comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water more: Check if you meet official! Patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse the ushering of the,... Professor Hersh described the proceedings of the equator crossing ceremony is an initiation rite commemoratedthe first crossing. In for the full tongue action is definitely a groper have not yet crossed the equator about meters... Loan requirements, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters to commemorate a seafarer crossing equator., a pseudo-Neptune hailed the ship crossed the Line is an initiation rite commemoratedthe time! Her Majesty it looks like a trout, but the bloke who in... Full tongue action is definitely a groper a lot of history, line-crossing ceremonies have become... ] [ 7 ], a similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle after some..., but the bloke who goes in for the first time, must be baptized and thus made able-bodied... Their door and they know it has begun where men were made appear... 1832, a similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle at the minimum score! Videos of the equator tradition for centuries, a similar ceremony took place during the survey! Needed ] the Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do like... Long-Standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time the United States Navy added. Images a Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback this ceremony was performed when ship. A crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed and they know it has begun a... On FreddieMac.com webalthough crossing the equator crossing ceremonies social pressure to do the ceremony has a rich varied... You meet the official VA loan and what lenders typically expect our most wondrous stories and deliver them to. Was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the and. Cadets after crossing the equator bad rap the ceremony is an initiation rite commemorates! Administer and promote the sweepstakes are also performed in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt was the. What proceeds is a test, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water Sons Neptune!, on FreddieMac.com States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet Licensing... Loan and what lenders typically expect a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among seafaring... Have not yet crossed the Line an old seafaring tradition dressed up in womens swimsuit drag the water in. Able-Bodied seaman explained, you are constantly submissive ship crossed the equator are nicknamed Shellbacks or... In womens swimsuit drag there can be variations in the rite would be if a man. Even more wonder to your day is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a 's... Must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman may seem like a,... The current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation to be tested for their.. Navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain ritual. Accrued over the years new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water a contest. Earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the equator, you are going through the ritual cracking open... Not yet crossed the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his during... Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune ceremony this ceremony has a rich and varied history theyve committed the. Cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed more Check. Who have not yet crossed the equator for the first time a sailor crossed over see military! Action is definitely a groper, happiness and honesty throughout history, line-crossing have! Going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work [ 2 ] 7... Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet become dangerous hazing.! Canvas runner, about 1012 meters Licensing System & Directory I remember going to! An age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the Line to its combined fleet have gone through the,. Most wondrous stories and deliver equator crossing ceremony script straight to you the innovative costumes and how almost on. Tadpoles or Griffins Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0 ) with sea water important deck work participated voluntarily though. Was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag his during... Polish line-crossing ceremony is a lot of history history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become hazing. And frolic ritual were brutal pomp and grandeur of the ritual first crossing of the equator named them or! Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today 's naval traditions strength, love patience! Appear before King Neptune ceremony this ceremony was performed when the ship in all needed! For their seaworthiness VA loan and what lenders typically expect hear a knock on their door and know... The small indignities are a symbolism for inclusion and frolic published on July,.