Crossing the Line with SIO

Crossing the Line with SIO
October 2009
By: Gina McCollough & Peter Brueggeman
Crossing-the-Line Ceremony
A ceremony performed on board ships
for passengers and crew crossing the equator for the
first time, known as (Slimy) Pollywogs. Traditionally, it is performed by one of
the ship's crew attired as King Neptune, wearing a golden crown and flowing
beard, and clasping a trident, sometimes including his first assistant Davy Jones
and her Highness Amphitrite and other dignitaries. King Neptune summons the
Pollywogs one by one who, after receiving various attentions and enduring
various initiations and ordeals, are tipped backwards into a bath of sea water,
where King Neptune's assistants ensure they receive a good ducking. The
initiates are then received into the kingdom of Neptune and henceforth known
as Shellbacks. The ceremony probably owes its origin to ancient pagan rites
connected with the propitiation of the Greek sea god Poseidon, known to the
Romans as Neptune. In classical times it was the custom to mark the successful
rounding of prominent headlands by making a sacrifice to the appropriate
deity, many of whom had temples erected in their honour on such points.
FROM Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea, and other sources
Crossing the Line with SIO
The following are pictures taken of crossing the line ceremonies on Scripps
Institution of Oceanography expeditions when crossing the equator.
caljsioa_ac12-344-18-0026
Crossing the Line ceremony participants are shown here aboard the
D/V Glomar Challenger while on one of the legs of the Deep Sea Drilling Project. It has
been a long naval tradition to initiate pollywogs, sailors who have never crossed the
Equator, into the Kingdom of Neptune, the legendary god of the seas, upon their first
crossing of the Equator. Sailors who have already crossed the Equator are nicknamed (trusty)
shellbacks, often referred to as Sons of Neptune; those who are crossing for the first time are
nicknamed (slimy) pollywogs and usually undergo an initiation rite that leaves them literally
slimy as in this photo. 1983.
caljsioa_ac12-344-18-0030
Aboard the D/V Glomar Challenger while on one of the legs of the Deep
Sea Drilling Project, a pollywog is paraded past
King Neptune’s court in this picture.
1983.
caljsioa_ac1608230024
Neptune's court aboard the R/V Horizon when they crossed the line during the SIO’s Capricorn
Expedition in 1952. Front row, left to right: Aloysius A. Cartisser; Eddy R. Terrel; Miller as King
Neptune; and Marvin F. Hopkins. Back row (left to right): Steward; Jack L. Wood; Robert
Livingston; Friel; Henry William Menard; Robert C. Swanson; and William R. Riedel. 1952.
90-23-0042
The statement “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” may not apply to a Crossing the Line
ceremony on a Scripps ship. Roger Revelle is shown here as a pollywog during the Capricorn
Expedition. 1952
caljsioa_mc1850020013
Edward D. Goldberg (far right) sits on Neptune’s Court, and is watching the initiation rights of a
pollywog, aboard the R/V Argo during the Nova Expedition. 1967.
caljsioa_ac1608100023
Walter Munk (kneeling) is the pollywog here undergoing initiation during the Crossing the Line
ceremony on board the R/V Horizon during the Capricorn Expedition.
1952.
caljsioa_2006-08-01150007
During Hugh Bradner’s Deep Ocean Seismic Expedition aboard the DWYN WEN, Bradner
guided a large yellow onion, called a sphere, with his nose across the sticky gooey deck of
the ship. 1963
caljsioa_2006-08-01130002
The “King Neptune Rex” proclamation certificate that was given to Hugh Bradner after
completing his Crossing the Line ceremony aboard the DWYN WEN.
August 5, 1963.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-0035
Crossing the line activities during the Indopac Expediton, Robert Mariner Kieckhefer is
blindfolded and dunked in a tub of water as one part of his initiation rite as a pollywog.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_ac1608100025
A few members of the Royal Court for the Crossing the Line ceremonies aboard the
R/V Spencer F. Baird during the Downwind Expedition.
November 2, 1957.
caljsioa_ac1608100025
Crew and scientists aboard the R/V Horizon gather for a picture after a Crossing the Line
ceremony while on the Capricorn Expedition. 1952.
caljsioa_2002-06-0180
The pollywogs are being subjected to initiation rites by the shellbacks on board the
R/V Horizon during the Capricorn Expedition.
1952.
caljsioa_2002-18-4669
Crossing the line activities during the Indopac Expedition aboard the
R/V Thomas Washington. September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-12-0618
During her Crossing the Line initiation on the R/V Thomas Washington during Leg 10
of the Indopac Expedition, Sandra Smith kissed the Royal Baby’s belly (RobertFisher)
February 20, 1977.
caljsioa_94-0702090025
A few members of the Royal Court for the Crossing the Line ceremonies aboard the
R/V Spencer F. Baird during the Downwind Expedition.
November 2, 1957.
caljsioa_94-0702090028
Crossing the Line ceremonies aboard the R/V Spencer F. Baird during the Downwind Expedition.
November 2, 1957.
caljsioa_2002-06-0181
During the Crossing the Line ceremony during the Capricorn Expedition, Robert Dill was dressed
for the occasion so that he would not be splattered too much. Behind him is Henry W. Menard
and Russell W. Raitt. 1952.
caljsioa_2002-06-0182
Crossing the Line activities on board R/V Horizon during the Capricorn Expedition. 1952.
caljsioa_2002-06-0188.tif
Art Maxwell in a false beard played King Neptune in the Crossing the Line ceremony on board
R/V Horizon during the Capricorn Expedition. 1952.
caljsioa_2002-06-0186
Henry W. Menard is pictured here on the right getting ready to pour something perhaps
disgusting on a pollywog’s head, during the Crossing the Line ceremony on board R/V Horizon
on the Capricorn Expedition.
1952.
caljsioa_90-8-SC12-0001
King Neptune’s court, who were members of the ship crew and scientists from the
United States, South Vietnam and Thailand, are shown here getting prepared to
meet the pollywogs who have been summoned to appear before them.
Aboard the STRANGER during the Naga Expedition.
December 1960.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-2506
Robert Mariner Kieckhefer in a swill bucket as a pollywog during the Indopac Expedition, Leg 8.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-2508
Robert Mariner Kieckhefer as a pollywog during the Indopac Expedition, Leg 8, being examined
by Neptune’s Court Doctor, played by Roger Battey.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-2503
Crossing the Line ceremony during the Indopac Expedition, Leg 8, Neptune’s Court Doctor,
played by Roger Battey. Others in this photograph are Simon M. Ferreira; Richard P. Phillips;
Leonard V. Urbano; and Russell W. Raitt.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-2510
A few members of Neptune’s Court for the Crossing the Line ceremony on the R/V Thomas
Washington, during the Indopac Expedition, Leg 8. Identified people in this photograph are
Simon M. Ferreira, Robert Mariner Kieckhefer, Jim McKee, and James L. Coatsworth.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-0028
Crossing the Line ceremony activities aboard the R/V Thomas Washington, during the Indopac
Expedition, Leg 8. Identified people in this photograph are George G. Shor;
Robert Mariner Kieckhefer (man blindfolded); and Richard Thompson.
September 24, 1976.
caljsioa_2003-05-10-2509
Robert Mariner Kieckhefer is being washed down as a pollywog during the Indopac Expedition,
Leg 8. September 24, 1976.
End of Display