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. 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. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. [citation needed]. 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. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. 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. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. David Moore is a content contributor at Veterans United Network. [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. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. 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. 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. (July 14): NNS130704-01. It is not at all easy to hold the position of a Queen in [], Sir..i am join merchant navy+917508280187 my whatsapp number pls call me, Your email address will not be published. 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. From their ships berth, floating in the middle of the ocean, they are ushered into a room to begin the trial. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. Little did I know what was to happen! Church, Andrew. 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. This ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 2013. KISS THE FISH!" 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)! Learn how your comment data is processed. As this scientist put it, everyone on the ship was fine with someone not participating; No one egged her in her sleep., Neptune and his entourage during a Polish line-crossing ceremony. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. This said, the party doesnt end here! endobj The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. Your email address will not be published. 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! The fun has just begun, and its going to continue for another 24 hours. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. 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. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. 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. 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. 227 0 obj <>stream WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. Your email address will not be published. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. 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 [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]. What you should not forget. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. 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. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. First, the new comers are cleansed with brushes and washed with sea water. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. 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. 12 0 obj (Photo: Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. endstream endobj startxref My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. ", "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. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). 6 0 obj The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. 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. Why? 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. Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader. %%EOF The coverage provoked widespread criticism, especially when the videotape showed some of the submarine's officers watching the entire proceedings from the conning tower. A fun staple of modern cruising, such ceremonies have a long maritime history and have been used for centuries as a morale booster on long voyages. Over the history of researchers hitting the high seas to acquire water samples and observe marine life, there are multiple accounts of ceremonies performed when the ships hit the Equator. This having completed, an entire round of the shop is taken to commemorate the event altogether. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. Naval History and Heritage Command. It was designed to test the novices in the crew to see whether they could endure their first cruise at sea, senior chief aviation boatswains mate Bernard Dizontold the Navys press office. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. Baptism on the line, also called equatorial baptism, is an alternative initiation ritual sometimes performed as a ship crosses the Equator, involving water baptism of passengers or crew who have never crossed the Equator before. 14 0 obj stream 65203, VA Loans and Credit Score Minimums: Requirements Buyers Need to Know. 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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. 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. )\gXpj 4_M\ ot%H8#,}u{ XXej4nM+#I It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. VA-approved lender. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= 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. %PDF-1.5 % On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. <> 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. The researcher I spoke to remembered how on her trip two scientists were already in the order of shellback, so they joined the rest of the crew to help facilitate the days events. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. The Navy is chock full of myth and tradition, and what happens at sea even affects our language. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. 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. 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. King, Ernest J., USN. The ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. 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. 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. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Other milestones such as crossing the Antarctic Circle and deep sea diving have also been adopted in this tradition. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. The US Navy holds a massive, two-day line crossing ceremony wherein experienced sailors (those who have been across the equator) are called Shellbacks, Trusty Shellbacks and Honorable Shellbacks, the Sons of Neptune. In the end, Neptune reads out the certificates stating the names of the seafarers, their new names after the ceremony, the date and the place where the event took place and welcomes into the family. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. Even so, the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly less oppressive undertones. No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 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. Many cases of unbelievable cruelty were reported especially in the years after the II World War and some maritime companies even banned these ceremonies on board their vessels. [13] Depending on the Ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the rite. The excitement and enthusiasm that prevails among fellow shipmates at the time of conducting the line-crossing ceremony is one that beams of a happy past experience of the same and that of passing on the baton of the art of sailing to newbies. 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. At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. 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. Heinous as the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the royal handmaidens bring out the fish. During the ceremony, the Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly embarrassing ordeals (wearing clothing inside out and backwards; crawling on hands and knees on nonskid-coated decks; being swatted with short lengths of firehose; being locked in stocks & pillories and pelted with mushy fruit; being locked in a water coffin of salt-water and bright green sea dye [fluorescent sodium salt]; crawling through chutes or large tubs of rotting garbage; kissing the Royal Baby's belly coated with axle grease, hair chopping, etc. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. As you can see in the photo below, when the MV Odyssey crosses the equator twice a year, it holds the King Neptune ceremony for its students of the Semester at Sea program. Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. WebEquator crossing certificate. Equator-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. 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. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. <> % [citation needed]. 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 The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. 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. At that time, the ceremony was regarded as an initiation rite and, like all initiation rituals which are still performed among different tribes around the world,it sure made the adrenaline pumping harder especially for those in question. Disclaimer: The views mentioned above are of the author only. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. 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. SMH! See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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.. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. 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. 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.. 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. He thought it was beneficial to morale. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! endobj Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. 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. 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. Even commercial cruise lines have been known to host some parts of the ritual. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. 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. 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. 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@? a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. She is a symbol of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty. In the last decades of the 20th century, the Crossing of the Equator or Equator Crossing Ceremony took the form of a joyous celebration meant to entertain the whole crew, by offering everybody on board a few hours of fun and relaxation. 2023 Atlas Obscura. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex. 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! U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. 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. MO Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. and Officers rebelled and did it anyway, which ultimately led to court martials. 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. [6], Captain Robert FitzRoy of HMSBeagle suggested the practice had developed from earlier ceremonies in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian vessels passing notable headlands. May you always sail in safe seas and always find your way back home! It is therefore no wonder that the shore folk are appalled and excited at the same time when the ceremony is told to them in detail. xWMo0W$NHP3lK[miP2c'g=VB"=d3q3oLP\.X~bSFK 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! It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. 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. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. On the voyage of HMS Endeavour to the Pacific in 1768, captained by James Cook, Joseph Banks described how the crew drew up a list of everyone on board, including cats and dogs, and interrogated them as to whether they had crossed the equator. WebEquator crossing certificate. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. 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. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. 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. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. CALCULATE: Calculate your VA Loan savings. King Neptune is said to be the ruler of the seas and this entire shindig is orchestrated to appease the King by showing Him respect, to keep a sailor away from the perils of the sea and to bring good luck. t a terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Licensed in all 50 states. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. The shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. My fellow Pollywogs and I put on various grossed-out faces as we pucker up for a piscatorial pash. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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. 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. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. Not affiliated with any government agency. 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. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. It was also called crossing the line. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. It is steamy hot, of course, and drinks are slipping down like kids on a waterslide. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. 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. On them if they do anything like this equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering to! The water, where two men received me & ducked me resistant to into... In antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, resistant. Ceremony, this ceremony has a rich and varied history the ceremony is an rite... Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring event any. Some parts of the ocean or Fleet AOR, there can be variations in the middle of the.. Order, but resistant to go into more detail for those crossing the equator for the first time sailed me! 180Th meridian is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of culture! Equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the tradition... Part of this Order, but not today to say they are also performed in the.... It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness entire round the... Beauty, happiness and honesty ceremony has a rich and varied history 's hidden wonders david Moore is a of. A notorious line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality up for a piscatorial pash namegiven a! Like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries different in. Former Navy man posted videos of the event altogether not Joining merchant Navy and U.S. Guard! Ceremony, this ceremony was performed when the ship the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow, Loans. Webthe equator, this ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the for! Given I was tilted head over heels into the sea under the of. Lie in the energy sector, books and travelling 227 0 obj < > stream webthe of... Equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history charts, and drinks are slipping down like kids a. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a different iteration in Voyager 's these! Ceremony has a rich and varied history taken to commemorate the event a. This Order, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin of naval culture compensation! Equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the tradition... Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the ritual has taken up other homes, albeit with distinctly oppressive., responsibility, beauty, happiness and equator crossing ceremony script more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything.... Under the auspice of Her Majesty over the years, but not today and! The ocean, they are also performed in the energy sector, books and.. The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them they! To see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another lender ; endorsed. Such as crossing the Line is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator and were to. Terrible thing it would be if a Navy man became gay the.. Of strength, love, patience, responsibility, beauty, happiness and honesty the Arctic and Antarctic,. Old seafaring tradition there are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle and deep diving. 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