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CROSSING THE LINE
Crossing the Equator on a Naval Vessel entitles a sailor to be initiated into the order of Neptune, King of the Sea. This practice includes much pomp and ceremony, played out with equal measures of solemnity and farce. Below are photos of one of BARRY's crossings in 1941 - there were two. We have no way of knowing from these photos whether this is the September or the November crossing. I find the photos interesting, not only in what they reveal about this rite of passage, but also the bits and pieces of the ship that we can see surrounding the men. Details of torpedo tubes and deck fittings abound on the periphery, reminding us these men could never get more than a few feet away from the reality of the spartan warship they were part of.
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"This is the group who had crossed the equator before and initiated us into their order" |
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"From left to right are - |
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The men kneeling here are before "KING NEPTUNE" and are awaiting his orders as to what they must do to enter the Solemn Order of Neptune Rex. This is the most comical part of the initiation. |
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This is another view of the "ROYAL COURT" You can see Neptune's daughter's foot up on the automatic air escape. It's up there so each polywog can kiss it and I'd pity a fellow who refused to do it. |
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This is a scene of the "ROYAL BARBER SHOP". The men in line have taken the worst part of their initiation and have welts on the ____ well, anyway they're nearly done now and are waiting for their "ROYAL HAIRCUT" and tallow and graphite shampoo. The haircut is given with a pair of ten inch canvas shears. |
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This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 1999 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)