The Schooner Bar pianist and crooner comes in for some particularly harsh treatment, possibly for playing Living Next Door to Alice too often. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard have well-established line-crossing rituals. He writes personal stories of our nation's veterans and active military members. Check out this weeks video at the bottom. 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. 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. Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, DC; collection of Rear Admiral Harold M. Bemis; U.S. 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. <> hb```>VB eaX;f8L/```b^22jtsVP 6z k$}`+9Vxyo Nk1TO4# }/$ 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. [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. What proceeds is a day of festivities, which builds camaraderie among the seafaring crew. Heinous as the accusations are, no one seems too concerned until the royal handmaidens bring out the fish. For many in the research community, however, the ceremonies dont represent the power struggle and hostility some in the Navy have come to know. One former Navy man posted videos of the ritual to YouTube. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition When the ceremonies were first conducted, they were physically challenging and could even be painful or embarrassing to the 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. p}FEDKS'G,MVLz3+\S:zQoendstream 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. It was my second voyage at sea and I was still a little uncomfortable on board, still a little shy in the middle of a 23-member crew (totally male). They are being summoned into Neptunes Court for crimes theyve committed against the god. Dancing, song, skits or poetry count among the merriment. Photo: Getty Images A Pollywog makes the transition to Shellback. 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. 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. It was designed to test the novices in the crew to see whether they could endure their first cruise at sea, senior chief aviation boatswains mate Bernard Dizontold the Navys press office. This is typical of certificates awarded in the pre-WWII period. 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. SMH! Titanic is the best movie that has happened to the world cinema. KISS THE FISH!" It was also called crossing the line. But it was also authorised by Captains to entertain the passengers on merchant ships like the. The Royal Canadian Navy named them Tadpoles or Griffins. It looks like a trout, but the bloke who goes in for the full tongue action is definitely a groper. 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. 12 0 obj His interests primarily lie in the energy sector, books and travelling. Juan Pablo Rosato of the Argentine navy. King Neptune Ceremony This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. 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. <> 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. 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. The Star Spangled Shellbacks was used for those crossing the equator on July 4th, 1966. They never turned into a nightmare for the new comers and they were accompanied only by laughter and happy faces. 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. 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. 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. A feast is prepared at night for dinner with thorough fanfare. King Neptune and his royal court: his queen, Davy Jones, the royal baby, and other dignitaries, arrive to the ship the evening prior to the equator crossing. Layer by Layer: A Mexico City Culinary Adventure, Sacred Granaries, Kasbahs and Feasts in Morocco, Monster of the Month: The Hopkinsville Goblins, How to Grow a Dye Garden With Aaron Sanders Head, Paper Botanicals With Kate Croghan Alarcn, Writing the Food Memoir: A Workshop With Gina Rae La Cerva, Reading the Urban Landscape With Annie Novak, Making Scents: Experimental Perfumery With Saskia Wilson-Brown, Secret Nun Cookies at Monasterio del Corpus Christi, Wonder Is Everywhere: Civil War Gold, a New Moai, and More From Around the Web, The Woman Preserving the Endangered Cuisine of Indian Jews, How a Lone Researcher Faced Down Millions of Army Ants on the March in Ecuador. Throughout history, line-crossing ceremonies have sometimes become dangerous hazing rituals. From that moment on, they are no longer seen as outsiders, but they fully deserved to be included in the seafarers family. "It is interesting to see how similar our maritime cultures are to one another. Copyright 2023 Mortgage Research Center, LLC. [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. The Greenwich Meridian didn't become the International standard until 1884, two years after the Ashmore crossed the equator. 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. 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. Y5 Qq;ye>f26&%`M*+*l]H'BNo):-"XE9{4j"Lg@) iV*BN^SBs\-L~N%$uEF7IQfs}`2m~)lMk'C/Cclf[#jFv5OT\S %%EOF Flour and eggs are added to their humiliation; nor do they escape the fish, which by now seems like a bit of a flirt. Read about: Joining Ship? Their most recent ceremony was during the summer of 2019, on the TSES VI, held shortly after departing Reykjavik. 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. Pollywogs entertain the royal court with a talent show. 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. 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 Every weekday we compile our most wondrous stories and deliver them straight to you. 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. Our modern practice is believed to have evolved from Viking rituals, executed upon crossing the 30th parallel, a tradition Some rites have discussed a role reversal as follows, but this is not always a normal feature, and may be dependent on whether a small number of Shellbacks exist to conduct the initiation. WebThe ceremony of Crossing the Line is an initiation rite that commemorates a sailors first crossing of the Equator. [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. It starts at night. Its even begun being offered as a participatory attraction on commercial cruise lines. Shilavadra Bhattacharjee is a shipbroker with a background in commercial operations after having sailed onboard as a Third Officer. Much like a wedding, one experiences the joy of it just once, thus becoming a spectator for the all the others to come! Read my comment again Eric. Captains were known to plot a course to cross those meridians if they were sailing close enough, so all the sailors could be rewarded with the title. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. The writer was a guest of Royal Caribbean Cruises. Equator Crossing or Baptism Ceremony-All About it. It was also an initiation rite commemoratedthe first time a sailor crossed over. <> 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? hVYoH+=#E Mclu"m*~Ks4/ mF[S,N8Z tpX#?H8Aao5Fh7FAc1!)o5Sq. There are other similar ceremonies for different locales including the Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the International Date Line, and others. The ceremony itself was based on the Court of Neptune, where Shellbacks inducted the Pollywoggers into the mysteries of the deep. Many naval traditions, from the Sirens and Sea Monsters of the Odyssey to the boatswain's call, date back hundreds and even thousands of years. 14 0 obj 227 0 obj <>stream For a while, said Hersh, some boats tried to stop the ceremonies from even happening. A VA approved lender; Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. The 90s saw large groups of people balking at its existence. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. The first-time participants are known as pollywogs. It was also an initiation rite commemorated the first time a sailor crossed over. After breakfast, which is made too spicy for the Pollywogs to eat, the accused appear before King Neptune, who sits in judgment. WebThe ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring. U.S. sailors and Marines participate in a line-crossing ceremony. 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. Behind the Strange and Controversial Ritual When You Cross the Equator At Sea. 0 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. In a different iteration in Voyager's galley these ingredients could comprise a tasty fishcake recipe, but not today. 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. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Source: Facts about titanic Ship are so many that people dont know much about them. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. This is likely because of the bad rap the ceremony has accrued over the years. While now its as much a spectacle as it is a test, the line-crossing ceremony reportedly has its roots in practicality. 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. 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. Customers with questions regarding our loan officers and their licensing may visit the 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. According to old tradition, all those crossing the equator for the first time, must be baptized and thus made an able-bodied seaman. 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. 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 we approach the middle of the world, quite a few passengers rush to the rails for a look, as though there might be an actual line drawn on the ocean. This is how I mostly startmy ship visit. The ceremony is a long-standing tradition of initiation that commemorates a sailors first time crossing of the equator. From their ships berth, floating in the middle of the ocean, they are ushered into a room to begin the trial. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2010 - 2023 Marine Insight All Rights Reserved. All rights reserved. Normally, it is at dinner that the highly esteemed Equator Crossing Certificate is handed out to seal the rituals authenticity forever. The reason behind this is to give the beginners a truth serum in order that they speak the absolute truth when they swear their allegiance to King Neptune and the sea! This ceremony was performed when the ship crossed the equator. Equator-crossing ritual on cruise ships Mal Chenu Puckering up to kiss the fish. Required fields are marked *. MORE: Check if you meet the official VA loan requirements. 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. 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