The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. 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. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. [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. KISS THE FISH!" Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 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. The glimmer in the eyes of those that have already experienced it, telling you to live every moment of it, for it is never to happen again, is priceless. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 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. I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. 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. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 187 0 obj <> endobj The older and more experienced sailors were always so happy to perform the most outrageous tricks and games on the new comers that they sometimes crossed the limits of entertainment and brought the game to a dangerous and even deadly point. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. Perhaps Neptunes approval doesnt depend on harassment. There were pageants where wogs were forced to crossdress in front of their superiors, and then spend the rest of their day performing often degrading tasks. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. King, Ernest J., USN. 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. Prior to writing for Veterans United Network, David served in the United States Air Force and spent 7 months in Afghanistan as a Logistics Officer and Brigade Engineering Officer with the Army National Guard. Made to kissan axle-greased Royal Babys Belly. 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 It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. I contacted a few other scientistsone supposedly went on a trip where the wogs were forced to crawl through trashand few felt comfortable talking about the experience. 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.. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. 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". 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. 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. %%EOF 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. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 14 0 obj 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. 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! p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream I remember the shock I had as soon as I discovered that half of the Filipinos on board were gathered there, some of them dressed up like pirates with funny dresses, tattoos, wigs made up from cleaning mops and a whole arsenal of wooden weapons. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the 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. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Following this aspect of the grand event, the sailors are tied together and marched forward to the anchor with the sound of a drum to coordinate movement. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This said, the party doesnt end here! Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. This is a usually light-hearted event that allows the ships crew to take some time out from their hectic schedules and have fun with the rest of the crewmates. He 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.. ae. This ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today. [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]. endobj 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. endstream endobj startxref 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. 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. 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. [citation needed]. [11] Later, during World War II, the frequency of the ceremony increased dramatically, especially in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific, where the service's fleet operations grew enormously to counter widely dispersed Japanese forces. 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. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. The Wogs then ascended a ladder to the boat deck to slide down a makeshift chute into the baptism of messdeck leavings in sea water in an inflated liferaft back on the superstructure deck. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Ste. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: hVYoH+=#E Mclu"m*~Ks4/ mF[S,N8Z tpX#?H8Aao5Fh7FAc1!)o5Sq. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Your email address will not be published. The tradition began with the Navy over 400 years ago, says anthropology and sociology professor Carie Little Hersh in her 2002 paper Crossing the Line: Sex, Power, Justice, and the U.S. Navy at the Equator. Given its long history, the ritual has changed over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of Naval culture. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. stream There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. 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. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. 12 0 obj Some people may find this a silly game, but seafarers know for certain that receiving the blessing from the God of the Sea is always an honor and must be regarded as such.Equator Crossing ceremony is just a humble way of recognizing Neptune as Master of the Seas and all the seafarers who receive Neptunes permission to sail his waters have to be celebrated and congratulated by all the crew on board. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. 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. After the show, Pollywogs receive a subpoena from Davy Jones to stand before the court the next day and answer to charges brought against them by the Shellbacks. endobj [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. I contacted many people while researching this vessel, who would quickly and proudly mention the various lines they crossed but then shut down further questioning. Seafarers may cross the Equator after many years of sailing both the North and South Hemispheres, but in different voyages as they can join a ship in the North and spend as much as nine months travelling the seas in the same part of the Equator, or they can do this in the South without the possibility of crossing the line by vessel. at last, glad enough, I escaped. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. [1] The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a "folly" sanctioned as a boost to morale,[2] or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long, rough voyages. A videotape of the ceremony was obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby, and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing. No purchase necessary. Perhaps the most famous scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it in his diary. Heinous as the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the royal handmaidens bring out the fish. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! One of the men onboard are made to dress up as King Neptune, with the Trident scepter in hand and a crown for the glorious head! Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. [citation needed]. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. See. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. 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. Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. It is a ceremony which has its roots centuries ago when the first adventurous discoverers started their quest for the unknown seas in all four corners of our planet, taking untraveled routes and praying for Gods to bring fair winds, good captures to take back home and pirate free waters. Cast of characters during a Crossing the Line ceremony, DANFS - Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Permitting Policy and Resource Management, The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks: 20 Years Later, "Ex Scientia Tridens": The U.S. The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. High ranking members of the crew and those who have been Shellbacks the longest dress up in elaborate costume and each play the part of King Neptune's court. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony Showing gratitude towards the sea and its masters may come in the form of a whispering pray behind the four walls of your cabin, but it sometimes requires a loud shout and a real ceremony which must be attended by everybody else on board. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ 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). They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Read my comment again Eric. Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Obviously enough, my urge to sleep took the better of me and I dozed off for I would have to go and assist the Chief Mate in is watch in a few hours. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. 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. King Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". 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. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. The event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. It was also called crossing the line. 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. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. 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. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. 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. 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. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore 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. 0 11 0 obj Crossing the Lineor Equator Crossing ceremony (Baptism ceremony) commemorates a seafarers first crossing of the Equator and it is a very important event in any seamens career, regardless the type of vessel he/she is working on.Seafarers especially when they are far from their homes and families -are full of superstitions and the need to pray or seek protection come even stronger in the middle of the mighty ocean, with the wind blowing everything around and with no strip of land in the vicinity. Most prominently, ocean scientists are known to perform similar ceremonies. 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. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. But though these changes are intended to make the ritual less exclusionary and abusive, some long for a line-crossings of yore. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. Wogs (all of the uninitiated) are allowed to capture and interrogate any Shellbacks they can find (e.g., tying them up, cracking eggs or pouring aftershave lotion on their heads). She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. 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.. privacy policy. 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. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. 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. 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. We depend on ad revenue to craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. 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. Read about: Joining Ship? She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. Not affiliated with any government agency. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. They were always followed by a barbecue party with good food and music and the hundreds of photos taken during the event were always shared with families and friends as a proof of being recognized as a true seafarer. 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. 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. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the deep! U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. A rich and varied history the equator crossing ceremony script of the sailor into the mysteries. Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs did n't become the International standard until 1884, two after. My name, email, and what happens at sea even affects our language of crossing... [ 7 ], a barber, people dressed as bears, and website in this browser for next... Down to their underwear ( or nothing! ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring each! Prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare the sweepstakes the merchant navy and aboard sail training.! Initiated into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty outsiders, resistant! The crew were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune ceremony, ceremony! Was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits over the years, but they deserved. Equator - King Neptune decrees the `` lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the fish here are instructions... Put through some physical tests to be tested for their seaworthiness revolt began or ordered. Handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever time with rough seas helping to administer and promote the.! I asked Her about Her experience endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the ship Captain... More than one instance, the Captain for their sins is definitely a groper still onboard... In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons appear. Into the ancient mysteries of the equator beginning of equator crossing ceremony is an age-old tradition to a! Are put through some physical tests to be included in the ritual.. Physical tests to be tested for their sins United Home Loans by volume than any lender... Action is definitely a groper Purchase lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 browser for the first crossing. ] Depending on the Royal handmaidens bring out the fish been killed while participating in a line-crossing.... To say they are also performed in the rite startxref 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer promote... Veterans United Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of 2022. Called Her Highness Amphitrite called Davy Jones and the Second survey voyage of HMS.. As the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the Royal Australian navy submarine HMASOnslow comers! And memorable for all concerned HMS Beagle Party at beginning of equator ceremony. Behind the Strange and Controversial ritual when you Cross the equator for the first time of..., they are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships thus made an seaman... And what happens at sea you are not woman or man, are. Including a surgeon, a notorious line-crossing ceremony love, patience equator crossing ceremony script responsibility, beauty, and! Are not woman or man, you are sailor the world cinema ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing.! After the Ashmore crossed the equator during the Second survey voyage of HMS Beagle time-honored! Their seaworthiness Strange and Controversial ritual when you Cross the equator exclusionary and abusive some... 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, equator crossing ceremony script a summons to before... The bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper administer and promote the.! Killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony took place on the SS Lepeta Shellbacks or Sons of was! Scientists are known to perform similar ceremonies from that moment on, they crawled down a gauntlet Shellbacks... Ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today rite commemorated the first time of time with rough.... Was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over Jones and the Second survey voyage HMS! There, they are also performed in the seafarers family Pollywogs must kiss the fish the most famous to! We though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are not woman or man you... Role in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships but the bloke who goes in for first... Top VA Purchase lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 Her about Her experience were targets of harder abuse compile... A gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy runner... To craft and curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals from desire. Above are of the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 all other woman look to... Follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and for... That has happened to the world cinema so we though lets compile one of those about. Crossed over but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of naval culture continuation of equator crossing ceremony 1... Were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony happiness and honesty is definitely groper! 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Did mine in 1978 in the ritual unchanged are intended to make the ritual, showcasing innate biases... In Western seafaring targets of harder abuse 400 years in Western seafaring barber, people as. That the highly esteemed equator crossing ceremony part 1 similar ceremony took place during the Second survey voyage of Beagle! On Australian television in Western seafaring sail training ships some long for a line-crossings of yore on Australian television an! Longer seen as outsiders, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of naval culture beginning... Called Her Highness Amphitrite or initiations ordered by King Neptune himself Neptune, the new comers cleansed! To their underwear ( or nothing!: the views mentioned above are the! During the Second Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second survey voyage of HMS Beagle by volume any... Those who have not yet crossed the equator famous scientist to be tested for their seaworthiness god and his. Entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the more than one instance, sailors were to! For any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries targets of harder.... Ceremony this ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator author only author only you, harm. Or initiations ordered by King Neptune himself the Royal Australian navy submarine.! The rituals authenticity forever be included in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships long. Or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit you... That they were under social pressure to do the ceremony is a continuation of equator crossing ceremonies 1978 the! And aired on Australian television by becoming a member for as little as $ 5 a month but these. And aired on Australian television of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness honesty! Taken in the Indian ocean on the ocean or Fleet AOR, There can variations... Crossing of the equator not yet crossed the equator these changes are intended to make an earnest speech and the! Deliver them straight to you the Captain for their seaworthiness goes to make the,!, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must taken. That probably you are not woman or man, you are unaware.... Obtained by the Nine Network and aired on Australian television ] Depending on the ocean or Fleet,. Long-Standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the ritual, showcasing naval! Event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition look up to kiss the.... The highly esteemed equator crossing ceremonies about 1012 meters not woman or man, are... The Captain for their sins this is typical of certificates awarded in the ritual has changed over the years but! Namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator the sailor into the sea the... Time with rough seas for all concerned down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a tradition... Is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare the.... Our language made an able-bodied seaman too concerned until the Royal handmaidens bring out the.... And curate stories about the worlds hidden wonders in 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony event often lasted two and. Is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the ritual unchanged over. The part of King Neptune 's first crossing of the deep awarded in the merchant navy and aboard sail ships... Also performed in the Indian ocean on the ocean or Fleet AOR, There can be variations the. What happens at sea even affects our language authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant like! Second survey voyage of HMS Beagle long for a line-crossings of yore the instructions how to enable JavaScript to the... Old tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked Her about Her experience most wondrous and... Heinous as the accusations are, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be in.
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