THE CROSSING THE LINE CEREMONY

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“On the way to Australia, we cross the Equator and boy, all the Shellbacks are going to give all us pollywogs a hard time. 
When we get to Brisbane, Australia, we will be the first fighting ships to stop there since World War II eleven years ago.”
~ Gary Steele

Quote taken from
Alzheimer's, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces
by Susan Steele
Copyright 2016
Used with permission

Click on the picture to access the link...
Thank You!

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"The Crossing the Line Ceremony is a time-honored tradition that is at least four hundred years old and celebrated by most, if not all, mariners.  When a ship crosses the Equator, King Neptune comes aboard with his Royal Court: the sea goddess Amphitrite, Davy Jones, the Royal Baby, and other dignitaries.  The sea is Neptune’s domain and those who would dare to trespass must prove that they are worthy to do so.  King Neptune and his court are there to judge the pollywogs, for the charge that has been laid against them is that they are only posing as Sailors.  Furthermore, they must pay homage to Neptune.  After a series of tests, to determine the seaworthiness of the pollywogs, they must kneel before the King, kiss the Royal Baby’s belly, and take a Royal Bath in a pool of sea water; after which, they are finally declared Shellbacks by King Neptune."

Quote taken from:
Alzheimer's, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces
by Susan Steele
Copyright 2016
Used with permission

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Click on the picture to access the link...Thank You!

"Well, all us lowly tadpoles were initiated, when we crossed the Equator, by the Shellbacks.  So now, I am a real Shellback. 
The Shellbacks beat us, hosed us with salt water, [and] cut our hair.  So I have short hair again. 
They tried to drown us. 
All in all, we tadpoles had a rough time of it,
​but also a lot of fun."
~~Gary Steele

Quote taken from
Alzheimer's, Archaeology, and the Armed Forces
by Susan Steele
Copyright 2016
Used with permission

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Gary Steele

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Copyright 2015-2023, S Steele.  Contents of this website are protected by copyright laws.  All rights reserved.  This is not an "official" Navy site.  This website was put together to honor my father, Gary Steele.  Most of the photographs on this website are from Gary Steele's collection and they are used with permission.  Some of the other pictures are from the Navy and the Public Domain...thank you to those contributors!