An illustration of an 1816 line-crossing ceremony aboard the frigate Mduse. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. The shellbacks had prepared 3-foot lengths of canvas/rubber firehose, which they swung hard at the posterior of each Wog. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. '03aE,#M5fr0|\fs9_'_-Qrzm"\~+?NUzUwx_|],Lf,[~]lly_e)ETJJ Gz#. Hersh mentioned how the ceremony morphed as more people entered the Navy. 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. This is the beginning of a line-crossing ceremony, a centuries-old ritual to inaugurate Equator-crossing virgins. Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition 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. The scientist I spoke to was also proud of her line-crossing, describing it as really positive. But from her account, the experience seems to have been an inclusive, constructive one, fully compatible with what the Navy member called political correctness. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. endobj USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) UPDATE of 1973 CTL. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. The Wogs then ascended a ladder to the boat deck to slide down a makeshift chute into the baptism of messdeck leavings in sea water in an inflated liferaft back on the superstructure deck. 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. One person, in fact, did. 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.. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. King Neptune's First Mate was called Davy Jones and the Second Mate was called Her Highness Amphitrite. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. However, most lenders have similar criteria. 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. Winner will be selected at random on 04/01/2023. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. Little did I know what was to happen! 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. For instance, blackface was a common element of it before World War II, but once integration hit the military that part stopped. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Like Atlas Obscura and get our latest and greatest stories in your Facebook feed. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. 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. Wogs (all of the uninitiated) are allowed to capture and interrogate any Shellbacks they can find (e.g., tying them up, cracking eggs or pouring aftershave lotion on their heads). Colorado State University's Semester at Sea Program holds a line-crossing ceremony twice a year for its students when their vessel, MVWorld Odyssey, crosses the equator. The charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. A Queen represents confidence and unconditional dedication towards her task. Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. [2][7], A similar ceremony took place during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle. I remember going back to my cabin at 1200 hrs after completing some important deck work. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Columbia, 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. 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. 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. Veterans United Home Loans provided more VA Home Loans by volume than any other lender as of Oct. 2022. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. 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. Though ceremonies differ, theres a general form and a common cast of characters. The crew were expected to become seasoned-sailors, capable of handling long periods of time with rough seas. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the Ashmore. Learn how your comment data is processed. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals. Thanks for reading and watching my BLINK. The transition flows from established order to the "controlled chaos" of the Pollywog Revolt, the beginnings of re-order in the initiation rite as the fewer but experienced enlisted crew converts the Wogs through physical tests, then back to, and thereby affirming, the pre-established order of officers and enlisted. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. % Consider supporting our work by becoming a member for as little as $5 a month. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). Sailors undergoing the ceremony were physically and verbally abused before being subjected to an act called "sump on the rump", where a dark liquid was daubed over each sailor's anus and genitalia. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? Did mine in 1978 in the Indian Ocean on the SS Lepeta. Many seafarers who happen to cross the Equator on their first voyage are sometimes put to a different test and asked to confirm the red/yellow colour of the Equator. ;x.T`f\%e:pJ+*n h= In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. SMH! Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. Those who were not favored fared worse. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Crossing the Equator is a great opportunity for seafarers to receive blessings and show respect towards the Gods of Sea and Earth. 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. Other milestones such as crossing the Antarctic Circle and deep sea diving have also been adopted in this tradition. Pollywogs are then doused with water to symbolise a baptism and are duly admitted to the District of Equatorius as Trusty and Honourable Shellbacks and Sons of Neptune. 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. By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. 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. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Fortunately no head shaving but the foul mixture was foul in the extreme. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. NH 106226. <> King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Church, Andrew. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the Offer subject to change without notice. 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. [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. Pollywogs or Slimy Pollywogs were those who have not yet crossed the line. Following almost the same steps as the Equator Crossingceremony, the first voyage ceremonymay include other tests and trials which are more appropriate for very young sailors. Sign up for our newsletter and enter to win the second edition of our book. 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. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. 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. What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. Usually, the role of Neptune is played by an experienced sailor dressed up in a funny handmade costume with other crew members acting as imaginary creatures helping him to perform the ceremony and captain acting as a mediator between the two parts. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. This said, the party doesnt end here! at last, glad enough, I escaped. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. endstream endobj startxref 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. Licensed in all 50 states. Why fly home from Bali when you can cruise in style? 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. Ste. 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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. Heinous as the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the royal handmaidens bring out the fish. (Photo:Lou Sander/WikiCommons CC BY-SA 4.0). Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Ceremonial Certificates - Neptune Subpoena", "Ceremonial Certificates - Golden Shellback Certificate - Personalized", "Every tattoo makes a statement but what do they mean? %%EOF WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. However, the essence of it will remain the same. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. 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. 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. Following the dip, raw eggs are broken onto the heads of the first timers and then they are made to drink a deadly concoction of beer, chilly sauce, raw eggs etc. Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. 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. WebCrossing The Equator (The Script of the Ceremony in HMCS Stettler 1957 February 26, 1957 at 106 East Longitude) (Name of original author not recorded 1957) Note to Reader: This is a typical script for a Crossing the Line ceremony. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. WebEquator crossing certificate. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. 18, privacy policy. The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. 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. In more than one instance, sailors were reported to have been killed while participating in a line-crossing ceremony. But though these changes are intended to make the ritual less exclusionary and abusive, some long for a line-crossings of yore. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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)! Following this aspect of the grand event, the sailors are tied together and marched forward to the anchor with the sound of a drum to coordinate movement. 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. 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