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. 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. [5], By the eighteenth century, there were well-established line-crossing rituals in the British Royal Navy. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. Retrieved June 7, 2017. hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ But line-crossing has expanded to other corners of seafaring culture, including the unlikely place of scientific research cruises. 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.". The rich tradition of the Crossing the Line ceremonies often involved varied events throughout which pollywogs, the term given to those who have not crossed the equator before, were put through a series of initiation rites involving harrowing and often embarrassing tasks, gags, obstacles, physical hardships, and generally good-humored mischief. 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. It was also called crossing the line. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. This said, the party doesnt end here! 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. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. The charges brought against him: In 2010, a Line Crossing Ceremony was an international affair. The event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition. Interrogations were held by King Neptune and his entourage who used truth serum (aftershave and hot sauce), or whole uncooked eggs in the Pollywoggers mouth. SMH! WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. The ceremony is carefully orchestrated by the ship's officers, with some sailors reporting the events to be lackluster due to the removal of the rites of initiation. 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. 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.. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and My wife did hers on SS Acavus in 1980 when she sailed with me. 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. Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 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. #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 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. 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. King Neptune is a prominent figure, as is his representative Davy Jones. On the open sea, even the leader of a great nation must answer to King Neptune. Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. He thought it was beneficial to morale. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. The memory of the event sticks with people. 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. 12 0 obj By the end of WW II, the United States Navy had added nearly 1,200 major combatant vessels to its combined fleet. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. 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. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. After the show, Pollywogs receive a subpoena from Davy Jones to stand before the court the next day and answer to charges brought against them by the Shellbacks. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. 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. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. % What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. 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? endobj <> They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. So, you are [], Ahoy Ahoy, Port Chaplain coming on board. 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. Shellback certificate awarded to Charles Cameron, aboard USS Utah (BB-31), commemorating his first crossing of the equator, December 1, 1928. 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. 2023 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey, Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements, Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics, Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Directory. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ hVYoH+=#E Mclu"m*~Ks4/ mF[S,N8Z tpX#?H8Aao5Fh7FAc1!)o5Sq. The crew was in the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. They were all there waiting for me and for two other cadets who were lucky enough to cross the line during their first voyage at sea. The 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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. Myriad approaches to conducting the ceremony will yield myriad accounts. King, Ernest J., USN. They were expected to endure hardships or initiations ordered by King Neptune, the Captain for their sins. Source: 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. 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. Credit score requirements vary by lender. Not affiliated with any government agency. DhD!D4n4I8P5>U`_FC.i`p8~xz_ep;MtBgCrf"FB:&t#W>V98}&I75(*^bqYe[A_xJ4k) Bx^c;.vT{c,kv8J>U_ WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. Naval History and Heritage Command. [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. VA disability pay for 2023 increased by 8.7%. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Anyone inducted is quick to say they are part of this Order, but resistant to go into more detail. ", "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. 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. 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. The ship's artist, Augustus Earle, made a sketch of the scene.[5]. Perhaps the pride and secrecy stems from a desire to maintain the ritual unchanged. 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. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. 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. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. 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. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. This ceremony is still practised onboard numerous ships today. 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. As appalling as it may seem to shore folk, it is a tradition that makes a man out a fresh cadet or trainee seaman. 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. "We have the same sort of ceremony in my country," said Lt. j.g. 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. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. Some people may find this a silly game, but seafarers know for certain that receiving the blessing from the God of the Sea is always an honor and must be regarded as such.Equator Crossing ceremony is just a humble way of recognizing Neptune as Master of the Seas and all the seafarers who receive Neptunes permission to sail his waters have to be celebrated and congratulated by all the crew on board. %%EOF [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. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. Those who have not crossed are nicknamed Pollywogs, or Slimy Pollywogs, or sometimes simply Slimy Wogs. Read my comment again Eric. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line an old seafaring tradition. 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. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. The Pollywogs (also referred to as landlubbers) must be dipped in water for the initiation and passing into the realm of the seas. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. Help using this website - Accessibility statement, Luxury cruise offers a taste of the Succession lifestyle. 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