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Neptune Day, 00.00 Latitude/00.00 Longitude |
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OK. Neptune Day....
It is a mariners' tradition to
commemorate a sailor's first "crossing the line" or crossing of the
Equator. Historically, this supposedly originated in the Royal Navy
back in the 1600s as a trial of worthiness, for the greenback sailor
on the occasion of their first crossing, to prove his sailing
capabilities, and even more, his endurance. This initiation was
imposed on them by those aboard who had previously sailed across
"the line". Those having crossed the Equator previously are known as
Shellbacks, and those who have not, and who will be initiated, are
known as Pollywogs. The extent of these initiations, first in the
various Navies, but afterwards in the Merchant Marines, and
commercial shipping lines, oftentimes bordered on the extreme, and
it was not out of the realm of possibility that inductees would
actually loose their lives. It became a tradition in the late 1700s,
and, in fact up to WWII, for sailors to be dragged in nets behind
the ship or keel-hauled. Recently, cruise ships have started
carrying on the tradition of Neptune Day as well, albeit in a rather
subdued fashion.
As the ship nears 00.00.00 degrees latitude, it is boarded by Neptunus Rex (King Neptune), accompanied by his court, Aphrodite and Davy Jones. The Pollywogs are rounded up and detained, then individually led through a series of demeaning and disgusting exercises. These could include being power-hosed with sea water from the ships firehoses, covered with fish innards and rotting garbage, being given pink bellies, forced to kiss the bellies of the fattest and hairiest of the Shellback sailors, and sometimes even forced to swallow the fish innards. Their final concession and acceptance of King Neptune as ruler of the seas, and in becoming a Shellback, occurs when they "kiss the fish" - after which, King Neptune proclaims the Pollywog a "trusty" Shellback, and presents him with a signed certificate attesting to such. There are three kinds of Shellbacks - those who have simply crossed the Equator are "trusty" Shellbacks. The more prestigious is the "Golden" Shellback - this is awarded to the pollywog who crosses the Equator at the 180 degree longitude, or, basically, at the International Date Line. However, we found ourselves in the enviable position of becoming the most revered, and the rarent, of all Shellbacks!! We crossed the Equator at the Greenwich Meridian or 0.00.00 degrees latitude and 0.00.00 degrees longitude!!! And we are known as "Royal Diamond" Shellbacks. I trust you will make due note of that!! <bows> |
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I've crossed the equator by
cruise ship on many, many occasions, and I must say, the Prinsendam
comes the closest to providing an accurate portrayal of a
traditional Neptune Day ceremony. The Pollywogs are divided into two
groups - the passengers, and the crew. Not surprisingly, the crew is
dealt with in a more "traditional" manner than are the passengers.
The weather was not exactly cooperative, but considering the ensuing mess, a little rain was probably not only appropriate, but even helpful! Enter the Captain and the 1st Mate.
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