The ceremony of CROSSING THE LINE was created so seasoned
sailors could test their new shipmates capability to handle
long, rough times at sea. It commemorates a
sailor's first crossing of the equator.
Sailors who have already crossed the equator are called (Trusty)
Shellbacks, often referred to as Sons of Neptune (Ed Cafferty's
gold colored certificate). Those who have not
crossed the equator are called (Slimy) Pollywogs.
"King Neptune and his court" officiate at the
ceremony, which includes his first assistant Davy Jones and her
Highness Amphitrite and often various dignitaries who are all
represented by the highest ranking seamen. The
Pollywogs undergo a number of increasingly disgusting ordeals,
wearing clothing inside out and backwards; crawling on hands and
knees on deck; being swatted with short lengths of fire hose;
being locked in stocks and pelted with mushy fruit; crawling
through chutes and large tubs of rotting garbage; kissing
the Royal Baby's belly which is coated with axle grease, getting
their hair chopped off and such, largely for the entertainment
of the Shellbacks.
Once the ceremony is complete, a Pollywog
receives a certificate declaring his new status.
The Golden Shellback is one who has crossed the equator at the
180th meridian, the international date line. Note Ed
Cafferty's orange certificate stating he did this.
| Information from various sources
including Wikipedia & JVH |
