NH 106226. See the current VA disability pay charts, and calculate your monthly compensation. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. 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? 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. Once at the anchor, the newly initiated are made to crack open a can of beer on the anchor itself at the first go. Download image. Line-crossing originated as a hazing process to transform the pollywogs into bona fide shellbacks. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Then the heads are shaved in the most uneven manner possible (no historical reasoning for it, but personally judging, it is most likely to do with a purging process) and paint is applied at random all over the body (privates aside!). King Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". 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. 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. Read about: Joining Ship? Because I know with a smile and a handshake [], A Queen is no ordinary woman. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. and normally, dipped in the water gathered in the save-all tray! VA-approved lender. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. This is how #EQUATOR_CROSSING_CEREMONY is celebrated onboard. All rights reserved. All-Time Lows: According to interest rates published on July 31, 2020, on FreddieMac.com. )\gXpj 4_M\ ot%H8#,}u{ XXej4nM+#I Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. 2023 Atlas Obscura. 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. 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. Naval History and Heritage Command. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Back in the days of wooden ships, Crossing the Line ceremonies were designed to test young Sailors on their first cruise out in the open sea. Pollywogs received subpoenas after crossing the equator and were made to appear before King Neptune and his court. 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. Perhaps the most famous scientist to be initiated was Charles Darwin, who wrote about it in his diary. 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! #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. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. [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]. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. The controlled order often turned to chaos if a Pollywog revolt began. Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. It was also called crossing the line. 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. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition It is a ceremony which has its roots centuries ago when the first adventurous discoverers started their quest for the unknown seas in all four corners of our planet, taking untraveled routes and praying for Gods to bring fair winds, good captures to take back home and pirate free waters. WebEquator crossing certificate. 767 WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. 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 ceremony. terms and conditions Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Line-crossing Ceremony: Homophobic or Homoerotic? From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. 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. 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. All the same, its not a secret. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Your email address will not be published. for more information. The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of 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. 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. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. Copyright 2023 Mortgage Research Center, LLC. % 187 0 obj <> endobj 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. 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 It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. Those credulous enough to run forward to see Neptune "were received with the watery honours which it is customary to bestow". Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. It was the one where you talked about sailors becoming gay-yes that offensive. In 1995, a notorious line-crossing ceremony took place on the Royal Australian Navy submarine HMASOnslow. NH 106226. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. 1. realtor.com is hosting and helping to administer and promote the sweepstakes. endstream endobj startxref From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. 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. Not affiliated with any government agency. (Photo: A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. [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. He thought it was beneficial to morale. 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. And there are no two thoughts on that. Download image. Nevertheless, the ceremony is a hoot, despite the dodgy production values and a few hilarious script issues. 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. Mind you, no harm or hurt is involved, however the minor embarrassments must be taken in the right spirit. 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. 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. CALCULATE: Calculate your VA Loan savings. Taking liberties with the piscatorial subjects of His Majesty Neptunus Rex. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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 common in the Navy and are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and cruise ships. So we though lets compile one of those facts about titanic ship that probably you are unaware of. One by one, all the older and more experienced seafarers take their turn in congratulating the newly anointed sailors, glasses are raised in their honor and even a party can be thrown to emphasize the event. Normally theres some separation between these groups, but during the line-crossing ceremony everyone is involved, be they scientist or crew. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. 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. 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. These roles are all played by shellbacksthose who have gone through the ritual before. 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. 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. 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. Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders. <> Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and 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. Its kind of a nice tradition, said one US-based ocean researcher when I asked her about her experience. Anything else the Shellbacks could think of. #ashmore #sailingships #tallships #youngadult #historicalfiction #truestory #captain #shipsurgeon #interactiveadventure #kiwiauthor #immigration #youngadultfiction #kingneptune #ceremony #crossingthequator #shellbacks #pollywoggers #sonsofneptune. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 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. US Navy at War 1941-1945: Official Report to the Secretary of the Navy. 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. WebEquator crossing certificate. Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. Licensed in all 50 states. This part is the beginning of the ritual wherein they are stripped down to their underwear (or nothing!) A Neptune party to celebrate crossing the equator, 1923. 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 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. 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