Manatee (AO 58) - Naval Cruise Book

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After the arrival of Neptune, a formal inspection of all pollywogs was held on the cargo deck where mustache wax (packing grease) was liberally distributed to those slimy neophytes with face hair. Summonses were also issued calling for offending pollywogs to appear at the specified time and offer defense to King Neptune. The charges ran from minor offenses such as failure to enter the domain of King Neptune (4000 lashes) to more felonious acts such as MANATEE ' S navigator was charged with: Willfully navi- gating MANATEE away from the equator. As expected these crimes were indefensible, and the guilty pollywog was punished to the limits of the Deep Sea Scrolls. No mercy! says newly initialed Shellback DOYLE to his less fortunate compatriot. A group of well dressed Pollywog Officers. W VtfiU F Ar0 -d X i ■« 4jlk Wr ' i 4m +J0S J 55

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Headed by Royal Shellback Lieutenant KOELBL and Royal Shellback BTC Barber KELLY, the Shellbacks dis- played cunning and initiative in planning the morning ' s activities. Also participating and aiding in the preparations were Royal Shellbacks HMC BICE, MMC LUNDY, MMC ROSS, EMC SPRINGER, BTC McMURTRY, BT1 YOUNG, MM1 DAHL- ENBURG, SD2 ORDAS, MM2 CALFY, MM3 MASDON, FN MANNING, BMS AULDS and TN CAPISTRANO. At approxi- mately 8:00 King Neptunis Rex himself appeared (royally depicted by MM1 William DAHLENBURG) with his bride (BT1 Trellis YOUNG) to begin the celebration. After making his way through throngs of prostrate polly- wogs, the King made himself ready to receive the humble Senior Pollywog, Captain FAAS. The Captain pleaded for mercy for his crew, saying they were of the top quality and character and could be trusted to the highest degree, there- by declaring them fit for entrance into Neptune ' s bounding domain. Mm f w Assembled on the forward tank deck, the Pollywogs face the equator asking pardon.

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The initiation ceremony itself began with all polly- wogs assembling on the forward tank deck, whilst the Shellbacks went aft to prepare their surprises. Each pollywog seeking membership was led before King Neptune where his charges were read. After his feeble defense failed utterly, the pollywog was led on hands and knees to kiss the Royal Baby. This particular tra- dition has been time tested to be one of the most substantial tests of a pollywog ' s True Grit. Royal Shellback MMC LUNDY provided the belly which was liberally spread with packing grease (the highest priced spread) into which each pollywog had to place a fer- vent kiss. Borber KELLY takes o little off the top. Moving through the finot test. Once blessed with that sticky momento the pollywog was encarcerated in a pilgrim vintage stock, rendering him helpless. Here Royal Shellback BTC Barber KELLY took over. Although his trims were not of substantial volume, they did seem to cut into the middle of things. As the Royal Bar- ber was freeing the captive from his growth of hair, Royal Shellback HMC Doc BICE, provided gourmet-type snacks, guaranteed to bring water to the mouth, or at least the eyes. 56