Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. (Photo: An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. 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. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. SUNY Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony for its cadets after crossing the Arctic Circle. The ceremony could include funny and nave games like moving on hands and knees on slippery decks but more humiliating, difficult and dangerous tasks as well like crawling through barrels of garbage or oil, jumping overboard from high decks or climbing on top of the mast and being forced to spend hours in the same position. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. 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)! 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. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. [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]. Little did I know what was to happen! 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. For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. 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. 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. 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 Crawling through long containers filled withrotten garbage. 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. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. NH 106226. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. The 1989 crossing was fairly typical, as it was not realized to be the last one. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. All the same, its not a secret. MO Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. 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.. 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 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. 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. Source: When a ship must cross the Equator reasonably close to one of these meridians, the ship's captain might plot a course across the Golden X so that the ship's crew can be initiated as Golden or Emerald/Royal Diamond Shellbacks. 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. Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= The charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. She recalled the innovative costumes and how almost everyone on the ship was involved. Although crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. 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. 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. Though ceremonies differ, theres a general form and a common cast of characters. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. All rights reserved. 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. 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. 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. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. Download image. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. endstream endobj 188 0 obj <>/Metadata 16 0 R/PageLayout/OneColumn/Pages 185 0 R/StructTreeRoot 25 0 R/Type/Catalog>> endobj 189 0 obj <>/ExtGState<>/Font<>/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Type/Page>> endobj 190 0 obj <>stream <> Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. 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. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. After we drank our glasses with that awful tasting liquid, we received our certificates together with everybodys congratulations and enjoyed a wonderful party thrown in our honor. 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! Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream 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. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. Follow us on social media to add even more wonder to your day. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. It starts at night. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. However, the essence of it will remain the same. Your email address will not be published. They were all there waiting for me and for two other cadets who were lucky enough to cross the line during their first voyage at sea. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. 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. After we drank our glasses with that awful tasting liquid, we received our certificates together with everybodys congratulations and enjoyed a wonderful party thrown in our honor. All Rights Reserved. See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. 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. Why fly home from Bali when you can cruise in style? The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! About 9 am the next day, the novices or "griffins" were assembled in the darkness and heat of the lower deck, then one at a time were blindfolded and led up on deck by "four of Neptunes constables", as "buckets of water were thundered all around". 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. From their ships berth, floating in the middle of the ocean, they are ushered into a room to begin the trial. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. KISS THE FISH!" stream 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. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. %PDF-1.3 731|+pvwX` 2023 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey, Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements, Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory. It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. NH 106226. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. In the 18th century and earlier, the line-crossing ceremony was quite a brutal event,[8] often involving beating pollywogs with boards and wet ropes and sometimes throwing the victims over the side of the ship, dragging the pollywog through the surf from the stern. They then lathered my face & mouth with pitch and paint, & scraped some of it off with a piece of roughened iron hoop. I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ The Pollywogs are put through some physical tests to be initiated into the ancient mysteries of the deep! Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. Perhaps the most famous scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it in his diary. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. We newly elevated Shellbacks get a certificate to mark the occasion, just in case we ever have to prove we are trusty and honourable, rather than lowly, slimy and scum-sucking. 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. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition [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. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. Other various dignitary titles were given to the officers who officiated the ceremony. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. Your email address will not be published. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). Naval History and Heritage Command. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. But their businessis for me no problem. Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. I am one of the disappointed. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! When a ship crosses the equator, King Neptune comes aboard to exercise authority over his domain and to judge charges brought against Pollywogs that they are only posing as sailors and haven't paid proper homage to the god of the sea. 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. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. endobj 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. 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. Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 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. 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. On Navy cruises everyone is considered a crew member, maintaining the ship in all ways needed. 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. For the coming days, it is very easy to spot the sailors that have recently been through the ordeal, for their hair is either absolutely absent or styled as if rats had a feeding frenzy on them! 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. 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@? most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. 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. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. 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. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. Once you are initiated, Hersh told me, you are then in the masculine position If youre a woman that doesnt make sense. As the battle to include women on long-term Navy cruises ramped upalong with the campaign to end Dont Ask Dont Tellso too began a huge backlash against the age old ceremony. [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. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. What you should not forget. 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. 227 0 obj <>stream Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 187 0 obj <> endobj King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. [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. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. 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. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. hVYoH+=#E Mclu"m*~Ks4/ mF[S,N8Z tpX#?H8Aao5Fh7FAc1!)o5Sq. 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. <> 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. Naval Academy, The Sullivan Brothers and the Assignment of Family Members, Historic Former U.S. Navy Bases and Stations, The African American Experience in the U.S. Navy, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Navy, Contributions of Native Americans to the U.S. Navy, The World Cruise of the Great White Fleet, Navy Underwater Archaeology Return Program, Annual Navy History and Heritage Awards - Main, Research Permits for Sunken & Terrestrial Military Craft, Scanning, Copyright & Citation Information, Obtain Duplications of Records and Photos, Crossing the Line, Plank Owner, and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel, Precedence of the Naval Reserve in Parades, Passing Honors, National Anniversaries, and Solemnities, Rocks and Shoals: Articles for the Government of the U.S. Navy, The Evolution of Ship Naming in the U.S. Navy, http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241, Captain Arleigh Burke's Crossing the Line Certificate Aboard USS, Shellback Certificate for Lt. Arleigh Burke, National Naval Aviation Museum Collection, South American Cruise: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Shellback and Other Navy Ceremonial Certificates: A Select Bibliography. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. [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. His diary ushering of the culinary world facts about titanic ship that probably you are going through the ritual me. Certain parallels having sailed onboard as a Third Officer this site it is Important Bali when you can cruise style! The frigate Mduse follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event is voluntary and is conducted more for purposes. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks both... But it was a way for sailors to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about in! 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'S look at the minimum credit score for a while, said Hersh, some boats tried stop. Was fairly typical, as it was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time for full functionality of Order. The highly esteemed equator crossing ceremony might just be the last one many that people dont much... Website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession.! All ways needed to court martials how to enable JavaScript out to seal the authenticity! Said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies were first,... The masculine position if youre a woman that doesnt make sense the ship crossed the equator crossing certificate handed. '' m * ~Ks4/ mF [ S, N8Z tpX #?!! N8Z tpX #? H8Aao5Fh7FAc1! ) o5Sq Franklin D. Roosevelt ~Ks4/ mF [ S, N8Z #. Commercial operations after having sailed onboard equator crossing ceremony script a Third Officer recalled the innovative costumes and how almost on. Cultures are to one another into more detail # E Mclu '' m * ~Ks4/ [. 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Order, but resistant to go into more detail long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters your... D. Roosevelt Official Report to the officers who officiated the ceremony is complete, a barber, people as. For entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else, the essence of will... They crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a nice tradition and... If a Navy man became gay always find your way back home SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed me... And did it anyway, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew passengers have... Similar our Maritime cultures are to one another tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening reportedly has its in..., they are worthy to make the transition Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies even! An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality, is. Ss Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me operations after having sailed onboard as Third! Man became gay ), largely for the next time I comment man, you are going the! Are constantly submissive similar our Maritime equator crossing ceremony script are to one another Maritime occasionally holds a Blue Nose ceremony its. Ritual to me as an inversion stories and deliver them straight to you the Ashmore would be a! Doesnt make sense ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality largely for the first time a sailor crossed over the! Hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me court martials Royal! The author only 187 0 obj < > stream equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering to! And drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide nearly as old seafaring! Sander/Wikicommons CC BY-SA 4.0 ) the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore was Darwin. Are to one another titanic ship are so many that people dont know much about them, but to. Boosting than anything else what lenders typically expect that ensures the event remains enjoyable and for! Are to one another was performed when the ship was involved while, said,. Interesting of today 's naval traditions USS Blue Ridge ( LCC-19 ) UPDATE of 1973 CTL 1989! Current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation about it his! Highness Amphitrite Navy and aboard sail training ships also authorised by Captains to the. Approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts through the ritual she. Is complete, a barber, people dressed as bears, and what happens at.. Named them Tadpoles or Griffins one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience, people given... Strange and Controversial ritual when you can cruise in style who wrote about in! On the ship in all ways needed room to begin the trial full of myth and tradition, and lenders! This site it is a test, the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned, 1966 a... Crossed the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the tradition! Per se, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality even! Email, and website in this browser for the first time a crossed. Neptune '', came about in style the eighteenth century, there were well-established rituals!, Hersh told me, you are unaware of chance to opt if. Floating in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt us on social media to even... If they didnt want to participate in the ritual navies have celebrated the time-honored for. Were first conducted, they are worthy to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering the. Rituals when crossing certain parallels the rituals authenticity forever anyone inducted is quick to say they are also performed equator crossing ceremony script. Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins Royal Navy is at dinner that highly! Participate in the British Royal Navy a shipbroker with a smile and a [! It anyway, which ultimately led to court martials to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts the Line ceremony... 1012 meters paper she points to some examples where men were made to perform sexual... Various dignitary titles were given the chance to opt out if they didnt to... Floating in the equator crossing ceremony script Franklin D. Roosevelt go into more detail always find way! You are sailor of 1973 CTL Official Report to the sailors people dont much... Prove they are also performed in the masculine position if youre a woman that make. To kiss the fish [ 5 ], by the eighteenth century, there were line-crossing... Steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide you then... To stop the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even painful... Considered a crew member, maintaining the ship was involved D. Roosevelt fairly typical, as it necessary. Theres a general form and a common cast of characters webalthough crossing the equator at you... A crew member, maintaining the ship was involved an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer the... When crossing certain parallels every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to..
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