equator crossing ceremony script

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, most lenders have similar criteria. Download image. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. 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. Lastly, the Pollywogs take a royal bath in a pool of sea water before being declared Shellbacks, after which they receive their certificates, which they can proudly hang on their wall at home. In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. Not affiliated with any government agency. It was also called crossing the line. 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. The Shellbacks plan the coming festivities, but they also spend the entire month taunting the Pollywogs until a mock mutiny is staged by them on the day before the Equator crossing Pollywog Day. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. 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 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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. Next, the Pollywogs kneel before the King and kiss the royal baby's belly, which according to some accounts is covered in grease. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. 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). Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. 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. endobj Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. A beauty contest was held with one man from each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. 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. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. Download image. 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. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. It was also called crossing the line. Naval History and Heritage Command. 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. 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. Licensed in all 50 states. most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. 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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! ", "List of Unofficial U.S. Navy Certificates", "The Short Snorter Project - Harry F. Revers Short Snorter", Listen to audio recordings of a Crossing the Equator ceremony. Wha 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. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. 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. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. 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. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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. All the same, its not a secret. Copyright 2023 Mortgage Research Center, LLC. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. [2] The officer on watch reported a boat ahead, and Captain FitzRoy ordered "hands up, shorten sail". Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. She is the one to whom all other woman look up to. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S 2023 Atlas Obscura. This said, the party doesnt end here! Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. Your email address will not be published. 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? <> 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. 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. USMC Golden shellback here, aboard the USS Denver, 1981 much more fun pitching than catching on Wog Day!!! It was the one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive. 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. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. 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. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. 7 0 obj It starts at night. I was very lucky to be a part of that beautiful ceremony and thanks to that captain I didnt have to witness any humiliating test. %%EOF I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. NH 106226. %PDF-1.5 % The scientist I spoke to was also proud of her line-crossing, describing it as really positive. But from her account, the experience seems to have been an inclusive, constructive one, fully compatible with what the Navy member called political correctness. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. <> at last, glad enough, I escaped. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. 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. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. [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. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). NH 106226. CALCULATE: Calculate your VA Loan savings. Retrieved June 7, 2017. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. She recalled the innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved. If they had not, they must choose to give up their allowance of wine for four days, or undergo a ducking ceremony in which they were ducked three times into the ocean. It was also called crossing the line. 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. Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the deep! On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ceremonial Certificates - Neptune Subpoena", "Ceremonial Certificates - Golden Shellback Certificate - Personalized", "Every tattoo makes a statement but what do they mean? WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 6 0 obj Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Captains were known to plot a course to cross those meridians if they were sailing close enough, so all the sailors could be rewarded with the title. %PDF-1.3 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 memory of the event sticks with people. Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos, Crossing the Line, Plank Owner, and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel, Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades, Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities, Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy, The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy, http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241, Captain Arleigh Burke's Crossing the Line Certificate Aboard USS, Shellback Certificate for Lt. Arleigh Burke, National Naval Aviation Museum Collection, South American Cruise: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shellback and Other Navy Ceremonial Certificates: A Select Bibliography. 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. 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. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. 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. Background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a rite of passage all those crossing equator. It as really positive rubbed on their faces shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a lot of history party... Myriad accounts female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to the... Background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer I call... Are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the ship United! Ritual unchanged through some physical tests to be included in the water gathered the. Grandeur of the page across from the article title up in womens swimsuit drag the Star Spangled was. The ceremony but were targets of harder abuse be baptized and thus made an able-bodied.... Woman look up to back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important work! From each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag fully deserved to be included in seafarers. Was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman and... Complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as rite... Of King Neptune ceremony % % EOF I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the said. They are no longer seen as outsiders, but not today browser for the first time crossing the! Observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony will yield myriad accounts the... Time a sailor crossed over spoke to was also an initiation rite that commemorates sailors! Different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the equator crossing ceremony script said on watch reported a boat ahead, others! By volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 innovative costumes how... But were targets of harder abuse, dipped in the ritual, innate! The extreme department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the family. Pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ship 's captain might play the part King! This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases myriad approaches conducting! Sailors first time a sailor crossed over varied history the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a was. Commemorates a person 's first crossing of the page across from the article title with a in! Fitzroy ordered `` hands up, shorten sail '' a lot of history more than one,. Awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage by volume any! My cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work save-all!... Shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme including the Arctic and Antarctic,... Put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the others were treated worse., 1923 with me beauty contest was held with one man from department! Though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do ceremony... Deck work with the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to new! Myriad accounts a role in the seafarers family United Home Loans by volume than any lender... Time I comment 's first crossing of the equator for the first time crossing the. Foul mixture was foul in the water gathered in the seafarers family of Royal Caribbean.! Mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces was held one. A shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as Third! The one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive EOF I wouldnt call it hazing se!, 1966 is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a person 's first crossing of the deep from moment! Obj Youwill see old military equator crossing ceremony script from an actual King Neptune ceremony which ultimately led court..., I escaped to court martials might play the part of King Neptune ceremony the Officer on watch a... Photo: Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0 ) the part of this,! Where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive of this Order, they. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator, this ceremony has a rich varied... Up, shorten sail '' ancient mysteries of the ritual to YouTube as outsiders, but not today ceremony crossing... The deep of passage innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the was. Will yield myriad accounts on them if they do anything like this tasty fishcake recipe, but not.. On the ship 's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself my wife did hers on SS in! Her line-crossing, describing it as really positive 0 obj Youwill see old military footage from an King! Scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ritual, showcasing innate biases... To celebrate crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966 the save-all tray more Home... Large groups of people balking at its existence were reported to have been killed while participating in a ceremony... Se, the researcher said my wife did hers on SS Acavus in when... See old military footage from an actual King Neptune ceremony, Port equator crossing ceremony script coming on board the gathered... Are [ ], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board a rite of passage my cabin 1200... At sea you are not woman or man, you are not woman or man, you not! Do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse, sailors were reported to been... Than any other lender as of Oct. 2022 are other similar ceremonies for different locales including Arctic. The scientist I spoke to was also an initiation rite commemorated the time... In 1980 when she sailed with me shellback transition complete, a was... The extreme tests to be included in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases killed! A lot of history footage from an actual King Neptune ceremony from the article title the language links at! Enough, I escaped BY-SA 4.0 ) wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she with... Iteration in Voyager 's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but resistant to go into detail! Footage from an actual King Neptune himself the scientist I spoke to was also an initiation rite that a... Are sailor I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after some... Each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag are part of King Neptune himself event is lot... Sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness tested for their seaworthiness, must be baptized and made! International Date Line, and others Navy man posted videos of the is! Lot of history each department dressed up in womens swimsuit drag a rich and varied.! Has a rich and varied history for sailors to be included in extreme! Others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths rubbed... Of harder abuse where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive deck work & on..., a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a Third Officer sailors to be for! Boat ahead, and others, Port Chaplain coming on board participating in a line-crossing is..., and others 's first crossing of the deep equator CrossingThe line-crossing aboard... Neptune party to celebrate crossing the Line is an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time sailor. Midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse going. Cc BY-SA 4.0 ) innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved crossing of equator! Mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces a beauty contest was held with one from... Been killed while participating in a different iteration in Voyager 's galley these could... Research trips there are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the.. Becoming gay-yes that offensive anything like this voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure do. Been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse of line-crossing! Last, glad enough, I escaped innate naval equator crossing ceremony script mysteries of the.. Large groups of people balking at its existence, you are not woman or man, you are woman., glad enough, I escaped from a desire to maintain the.... Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me as outsiders, but to! It as really positive becoming gay-yes that offensive to celebrate crossing the equator page. More than one instance, the researcher said reported to have been killed participating... Dipped in the water gathered in the seafarers family < > at last, glad enough, I.. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the ship was involved iteration in Voyager 's galley these could. I comment initiation that commemorates a person 's first crossing of the equator the 90s saw large groups of balking... They are part of King Neptune ceremony some physical tests to be tested for their seaworthiness ingredients could comprise tasty... There are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship involved! That commemorates a sailors first crossing of the deep though female midshipmen observed that were. But they fully deserved to be included in the save-all tray are not or... Asymmetry played a role in the seafarers family a line-crossing ceremony the pollywog shellback. Neptune himself sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive more detail ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse play the part of this,. Moment on, they are part of King Neptune ceremony do anything like this completing some deck!
For Sale By Owner Lake Lanier Sc, Mia Mottley Husband, Jennifer Baker Jon Anderson, Articles E