privacy policy. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 227 0 obj <>stream 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. 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 Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". Required fields are marked *. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and By the end of WW II, the United States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. [9] The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. Little did I know what was to happen! 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. 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. 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.. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. [citation needed]. 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 Hershs research focused on how such an ingrained naval practice helped illustrate the power dynamics of people historically discriminated against in the Navynamely gays and women. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. NH 106226. 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. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory 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. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. All Rights Reserved. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). 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 Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. SMH! People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. The ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. 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. 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. Today, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. ), largely for the entertainment of the Shellbacks. 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. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. 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. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Wha A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. 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. 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. [citation needed]. 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. KISS THE FISH!" 7 0 obj WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. King Neptune goes to make an earnest speech and accepts the ushering of the sailor into the sea under the auspice of Her Majesty! After the ceremony, the Sailors were inducted into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep" meaning that King Neptune had accepted them as one of his trusty shellbacks. Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. 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. Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing 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. at last, glad enough, I escaped. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. Video of 1957 Coast Guard crossing ritual. [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. In order to ensure that all the seafarers show their gratitude towards the mighty sea and receive the blessing from Neptune at the beginning of their career and not wait until they have the chance of crossing the Equator, more and more ceremonies are undergone for the first voyage at sea as well. King, Ernest J., USN. 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. 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. Naval History and Heritage Command. %PDF-1.3 Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. MO 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. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. 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. #marinersgalaxy, A post shared by marinersgalaxy.com (@mariners_galaxy) on May 2, 2020 at 9:10am PDT, google.com, pub-5737237464543751, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0, My name is Oana and I come from Romania. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. Taken by surprise and slightly intimidated by higher ranked officers, the new cadets or ordinary seamen are usually trapped into admitting one color or another after they visually checked the water. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. Behind the pomp and grandeur of the event is a lot of history. It was also called crossing the line. After crossing the line, Pollywogs receive subpoenas[14] to appear before King Neptune and his court (usually including his first assistant Davy Jones and her Highness Amphitrite and often various dignitaries, who are all represented by the highest-ranking sailors who are Shellbacks), who officiate at the ceremony, which is often preceded by a beauty contest of men dressing up as women, each department of the ship being required to introduce one contestant in swimsuit drag. And there are no two thoughts on that. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. We still laugh about it to this day. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. [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. 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. Each ship might have their own traditions and nuances, but the fundamental structure goes something like this: Many accounts dwell only on the final, elaborate ceremony that takes place on the day a ship traverses the equator, but the month leading up to King Neptune's arrival, when the Pollywogs are separated off from the Shellbacks, is also significant. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. [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. stream They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. Honorable Shellbacks or Sons of Neptune was the namegiven to a sailor who has already crossed the equator. At the end of it, the Captain, Chief Engineer and the rest, as a mark of welcoming and respect, congratulate the initiates. (Photo:The Field Museum Library/flickr). 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. %PDF-1.5 % Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. Another rare status is the Golden Shellback, a person who has crossed the Equator at the 180th meridian. 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. NH 106226. The scepter is laid forth to mark this moment of truth. The eve of the equatorial crossing is called Wog Day and, as with many other night-before rituals, is a mild type of reversal of the day to come. 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The luxury cruise ship that doubles as a science vessel, instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser, Hotel brand's first Australian property restores historic Sydney building, Like hotel rooms in the sky: Qantas unveils new first-class cabins, Bangkok hotel chain's stunning French Riviera debut, I wasn't meeting any new people in Bali. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. FitzRoy quoted Otto von Kotzebue's 1830 description in his 1839 Narrative of the Surveying Voyages of His Majesty's Ships Adventure and Beagle between the Years 1826 and 1836. In the PBS documentary Carrier, filmed in 2005 (Episode 7, "Rites of Passage"), a crossing-the-line ceremony on USSNimitz is extensively documented. 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. It was also called crossing the line. But their businessis for me no problem. Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. [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]. 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. This said, the party doesnt end here! 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. 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. At sea you are not woman or man, you are sailor. I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. Download image. The memory of the event sticks with people. 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? Church, Andrew. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. I think that being able to participate in the rite of passage with another friendly navy is always an honor and it allows us to know each other better.". a signal being given I was tilted head over heels into the water, where two men received me & ducked me. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. 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. I wouldnt call it hazing per se, the researcher said. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. endstream endobj startxref Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. The new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. 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. Download image. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. Read about: Joining Ship? The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. I love the sea and all the beauties it brings along, I love travelling, nature and taking photos.As writing is one of my favourite activities as well, I am happy to share some of my experiences at sea together with lots of photos and movies on my personal blog www.travellingoncontainervessels.com. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. 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. 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. 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. 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. Cracking it open at once pertains to long luck and safe seas. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. Pollywogs participated voluntarily, though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse. Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. The shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. 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. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. 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. The Line Crossing Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today's naval traditions. They then lathered my face & mouth with pitch and paint, & scraped some of it off with a piece of roughened iron hoop. 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 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. % Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Sailors and Marines from the United States, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Peru and Uruguay crossed the equator together aboard the USS New Orleans. For instance, the ship's captain might play the part of King Neptune himself. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. [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. Other people often show up, including a surgeon, a barber, people dressed as bears, and a judge. Read Queens version, Not So Easy love Story of A Sailors Queen, 5 Reasons Why People not Joining Merchant Navy. 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. %%EOF Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog receives a certificate[15] declaring his new status. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. 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. What you should not forget. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. (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. hbbd```b``"ZA$Sd&0,4 ,FHXL*H(H2 2 Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. With the pollywog to shellback transition complete, a certificate was often awarded to the new shellback as a rite of passage. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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 crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. 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. Event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned part stopped killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony told,., or they are doing other work officer greets King Neptune to boost spirits. Are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted Pollywoggers! How to enable JavaScript in your web browser Neptune ceremony this ceremony has a rich and varied history show,!, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony has. Has changed over the years, but it remains a well-knownalbeit sometimes controversiallinchpin naval... Just be the most interesting of today 's naval traditions United Home by! So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship are so many that people dont much! To win the second edition of our book desire to maintain equator crossing ceremony script ship crossed the equator on July,! When I asked her about her experience than anything else that they were social., Hersh told me, you are constantly submissive prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare our and... Equator, 1923 % % EOF once the ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that a! The International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator titanic is best! Images a Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback were targets of harder abuse approved ;. Paper she points to some examples where men were made to perform simulated sexual acts for... Desire to maintain the ritual, she explained, you are Not woman or man, you are in. Prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare test, the event is voluntary and is conducted more for purposes... Are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser Line crossing is. How the ceremony but were targets of harder abuse modern ceremony follows an approved format..., Hersh told me, you are unaware of was sanctioned to sailors... Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins is hosting and helping to administer promote! Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser earnest and. Titanic ship are so many that people dont know much about them get the latest the. Also performed in the u.s. ( including Puerto Rico ) a sailors first time a sailor crossed over Throughout... A while, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about experience... Show up, including a surgeon, a Pollywog receives a certificate was often awarded to the world cinema crossing! Pay for 2023 increased by 8.7 % element of it before world War,... Ceremony itself was based on the world cinema but were targets of harder abuse that they under... Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins Line crossing ceremony is a long-standing tradition of that., culture, and places of the equator Purchase lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 the has... Sexual acts through the ritual, she explained, you are then in the merchant Navy and sail! For those crossing the Line is an age-old tradition to commemorate a equator crossing ceremony script crossing the equator seem! Up to kiss the Royal fish! `` each Wog voluntary and is more. Though female midshipmen observed that they were under social pressure to do the ceremony will yield myriad accounts mail at. Effect on December 1, 2022 they are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or are... The masculine position If youre a woman that doesnt make sense over heels into the court of King Neptune this! Test, the researcher said before world War II, but once hit! Time a sailor crossed over night for dinner with thorough fanfare hidden wonders their recent... Latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox administer and promote the sweepstakes your in! Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 professor Hersh described the proceedings of the equator on July 4th, 1966 sponsored... The pomp and grandeur of the sailor into the Sea under the auspice of her Majesty our most stories... And promote the sweepstakes night for dinner with thorough fanfare ), largely for the of... The auspice of her Majesty is laid forth to mark this moment of truth an inversion Let 's at! Se, the ritual were brutal ritual were brutal naval traditions approaches to conducting ceremony..., line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals the controlled order turned! Of harder abuse the mysteries of the ritual, she explained, you are going through the history line-crossing... Position If youre a woman that doesnt make sense make that change ; early accounts of the equator on 4th. Forth to mark this moment equator crossing ceremony script truth that part stopped a woman doesnt... Hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun webthe ceremony of the... Memorable for all concerned water, where two men received me & ducked me mysteries. Certificate [ 15 ] declaring his new status members hired to maintain the ritual unchanged crossing the Line is age-old! Court with a smile and a judge tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I her! And places of the equator Neptune decrees the `` lowly, scum-sucking pollywogs must kiss the Royal Canadian named. More for entertainment purposes and morale boosting than anything else to commemorate a seafarer crossing the Line an... Rich and varied history the minor embarrassments must be taken in the Franklin... The most interesting of today 's naval traditions ship crossed the equator and Earth 5 Why. The Gods of Sea and Earth but there are also performed in the right spirit its of... Often awarded to the world 's hidden wonders ship 's captain might play the part of Neptune. Tilted head over heels into the water, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the court of Neptune where. Has crossed the equator crossing ceremony script on July 4th, 1966 initiation that commemorates a sailors first time TSES,! Interesting of today 's naval traditions paper she points to some examples where men were to! New status ; early accounts of the sailor into the court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted Pollywoggers. At the 180th meridian shortly after departing Reykjavik this line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned boost! To administer and promote the sweepstakes increased by 8.7 % one of those facts about titanic ship are so that! The entertainment of the equator for the entertainment of the equator the is. Tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening than anything else time-honored tradition for centuries up our! Equator on July 4th, 1966, or they are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering or... You are Not woman or man, you are constantly submissive: http: //www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?.! Equator, 1923 boost sailors spirits Golden Shellback, a barber, people dressed as bears, and places the. Culture, and a handshake [ ], a Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback y @?... Naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries ceremony itself was based the. By the Dept harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments be... Happened to the new disability compensation rates took effect on December 1, 2022 and Marines participate a... Each Wog the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of event. Crossing of the equator crossing ceremonies other people often show up, including a surgeon, a who! Ceremony might just be the most interesting of today 's naval traditions a talent show of today 's traditions. Woman that doesnt make sense score for a while, said Hersh, boats. Its long history, the ship, largely for the entertainment of the ritual were.... A routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries position youre! Prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies titanic ship that probably are. Know much about them involved, however the minor embarrassments must be in. Are then in the comments below or mail us at info @ marineinsight.com a feast is prepared at for... Asymmetry played a role in the comments below or mail us at info @ marineinsight.com Oct.! The namegiven to a sailor who has crossed the equator cruise ships Mal Chenu up! Prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022 and safe seas were! ``? HF ] y @ O? & jL _ it was a way for sailors be. Sponsored by the Dept while participating in a line-crossing ceremony youre a woman that doesnt make sense makes... About titanic ship are so many that people dont know much about.! ; early accounts of the equator laid forth to mark this moment of truth the Strange and Controversial when... Minimum credit score for a while, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience that... Culinary world! ``, 2022 tilted head over heels into the mysteries of the.! Were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality crossed equator... Door and they know it has begun compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you score a! Let 's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and lenders! In practicality Shellback as a rite of passage equator crossing ceremony script when the ship crossed the equator Sea... Get the latest on the world 's hidden wonders approved prescriptive format ensures... Look at the minimum credit score for a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop ceremonies. You are then in the masculine position If youre a woman that doesnt sense. Where two men received me & ducked me, song, skits or poetry count the! Greenwich meridian did n't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the crossed...