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Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. 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. What is Maritime English and Why It Is Important? King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Initiation rite for first crossing of the equator, Honors for line crossings and other navigational events. 2013. There, they crawled down a gauntlet of Shellbacks on both sides of a long, heavy canvas runner, about 1012 meters. "?HF]y@O?&jL _ [13] Physical hardship, in keeping with the spirit of the initiation, is tolerated, and each Pollywog is expected to endure a standard initiation rite in order to become a Shellback. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. In her experience, people were given the chance to opt out if they didnt want to participate in the ritual. 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. 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. 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. This line-crossing lunacy was sanctioned to boost sailors spirits. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. But there are also times when myseafarers are busy, with bunkering, or they are doing other work. 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. Crossing The Equator - King Neptune Ceremony, This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. I was initiated as a Blue Nose, boasted one person who crossed the Arctic Circle, but when I pressed, he wouldnt mention much else. 0 Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. 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 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 6 0 obj [12] As late as World War II, the line-crossing ceremony was still rather rough and involved activities such as the "Devil's Tongue", which was an electrified piece of metal poked into the sides of those deemed pollywogs. People hear a knock on their door and they know it has begun. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time 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)! WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Top VA Purchase Lender each Fiscal Year between 2016-2022. The crew finally converted the Wogs after the endurance tests were accomplished, ending the ceremonywith an affirmation of the new Shellbacks by way of a certificate declaring their new status. 2022 by Kin & Kingdoms Books. Ship passengers who have never traversed the nautical line are forced to prove they are worthy to make the transition. 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. This power asymmetry played a role in the ritual, showcasing innate naval biases. I emailed him asking if hed be willing to talk about his experience, but he didnt seem too interested in going into great detail. [citation needed] The Wogs are made very aware that it will be much harder on them if they do anything like this. The event often lasted two days and normally followed a standard transition. When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the Sailors. 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. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. What perhaps differentiates the research experience from the Navy one is the chance to bond with more people on the ship. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. most of the others were treated much worse, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their faces. Download image. 18, 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. 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. [citation needed] Pollywogs (midshipmen and anyone else who had not crossed) ascended a ladder from the forecastle to the superstructure deck of the ship. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. 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. (Photo: Public domain/WikiCommons). Youwill see old military footage from an actual King Neptune Ceremony. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. 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. Columbia, WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. 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. The chant goes up: "KISS THE FISH! David Moore is a content contributor at Veterans United Network. For research trips there are both scientists and crew members hired to maintain the ship. Those who were not favored fared worse. 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. 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. His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. WebThis is a continuation of EQUATOR CROSSING CEREMONY PART 1. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. 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. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. ", "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. WebEquator crossing certificate. 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. 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. Maine 's commanding officer greets King Neptune and Royal Party at beginning of equator crossing ceremonies. They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream By submitting your email you are agreeing to Nine Publishing's 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. NMLS ID #1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org), #1 VA Lender: ae. WebThe modern ceremony follows an approved prescriptive format that ensures the event remains enjoyable and memorable for all concerned. 11 0 obj This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. Let's look at the minimum credit score for a VA loan and what lenders typically expect. Crossing the Line is nearly as old as seafaring itself; even in antiquity sailors engaged in rituals when crossing certain parallels. 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. Little did I know what was to happen! The seamen who have already crossed the equator are referred to as Shellbacks (or, Sons Of Neptune) and those who havent are called Pollywogs. 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. Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. [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. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. From Wog to Shellback. U.S. Navy website: http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=75241. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, too, received a summons to appear before the sea god and pay his respects. Offer available only in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness. 227 0 obj <>stream [citation needed]. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships. The Navy has spent decades trying to rein in on hazing; the line-crossing ceremony represents a great deal of this. Most modern navies have instituted regulations that prohibit physical attacks on sailors undergoing the line-crossing ceremony. Webthe equator, this ceremony has a rich and varied history. It took quite a journey to make that change; early accounts of the ritual were brutal. 1400 Forum Blvd. WebWelcome to Equator CrossingThe line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. 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. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. Learn how your comment data is processed. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. An eye-opening journey through the history, culture, and places of the culinary world. It is very seldom to find an age-old tradition that is carried out with such gusto at shore. King Neptune decrees the "lowly, scum-sucking Pollywogs must kiss the royal fish!". 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. 2023 Atlas Obscura. They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. The Equator Crossing Ceremony is an age-old tradition to commemorate a seafarer crossing the equator for the first time. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! Newbies are called Pollywogs, Slimy Pollywogs or Slimy Wogs. Lets know your experience in the comments below or mail us at info@marineinsight.com. The two-day event (evening and day) is a ritual in which previously inducted crew members (Trusty Shellbacks) are organized into a "Court of Neptune" and induct the Slimy Pollywogs into "the mysteries of the Deep". Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are also sometimes carried out for passengers' entertainment on civilian ocean liners and 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. NH 106226. 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. 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. Make the transition, dirty mixtures being put in their mouths & rubbed on their and. 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