What is the tradition when crossing the equator?
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. The ceremony is sometimes explained as being an initiation into the court of King Neptune.
What is the Shellback ceremony?
SHELLBACKS – A PROUD NAVAL HISTORY 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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness.
What do sailors get when they cross the equator?
Shellback variations
Shellback variations. The shellback is simple enough: a sailor on official duty “crosses the line” of the equator. A golden shellback is more impressive; it means they’ve crossed the International Date Line.
How do you become a Shellback?
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. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness.
What is the Ancient Order of the Deep?
This Shellback Ancient Order Of The Deep US Navy Patch was designed for those that crossed the equatorial line and went from Pollywog to Trusty Shellback. A tradition found among the Sailors and Marines of the US Military. This Shellback patch measures 5 inches and is fully embroidered with a heat seal backing.
What is an equator-crossing ceremony?
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. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships.
What is the purpose of crossing the equator?
Although crossing the equator may seem like a routine event for any modern-day naval vessel, navies have celebrated the time-honored tradition for centuries. 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.
What is aequator crossing or baptism ceremony?
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.
What is a crossing the line ceremony?
For the Royal Canadian Navy, one such event is the Crossing the Line Ceremony that takes place when a ship crosses from the Northern Hemisphere into the Southern Hemisphere or equator – zero degrees of latitude. Over the years, RCN ships have perfected the ceremony while tailoring it for individual ships.