Marvin Shields (FF 1066) - Naval Cruise Book

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CROSSING THE LINE AT 45 MINUTES AFTER MIDNIGHT, 9 AUG. 1980, MARVIN SHIELDS CROSSED THE EQUATOR INTO THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AT 0400 THAT MORNING A GRUELING INITIATION FOR ALL THE LOWLY WOGS , (SAILORS WHO HAVE NEVER CROSSED THE EQUATOR). ASPIRING TO BECOME FULL FLEDGED SHELLBACKS. STARTED THE LINE CROSSING CEREMONY THE DAY BEGAN EARLY FOR THE WOGS. WITH A MANDATORY BREAK- FAST OF SUCH TREATS AS BLOOD OF THE RED- EYED SEADOG. BOILED SEAWEED. RAW OYS- TERS. AND FISH EYE PUDDING WITH SEA-FOAM TOPPING SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE WOG PA- RADE BEGAN AS ALL WOGS CRAWLED ON ALL FOURS FROM THE FORECASTLE TO THE FANTAIL TO THE TUNE OF ON YOUR KNEES YOU SLIMY SCUMMY WOG! ' UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF SHELLBACKS WEILDING LENGTHS OF FIREHOSE. ALL WOGS MOVED SMARTLY TO THE FANTAIL FOR THE NEXT STEP IN THE INITIATION: THE CRAWL THROUGH THE GARBAGE SCHUTE. AFTER BOWING BEFORE KING NEPTUNUS REX (MSC EA- TON) AND KISSING THE BELLY OF THE ROYAL BABY (FTM1 ROSENTHAL) THE WOGS SPENT TIME IN STOCKS OR THE COFFIN. OR BOTH. FI- NALLY AFTER A BATH IN THE WATERS OF THE SEVEN SEAS, THE SMELLY. SLIMY. GREASY WOGS OFFICIALLY BECAME SHELLBACKS A TO- TAL OF 180 MARVIN SHIELDS SAILORS WERE CONVERTED FROM POLYWOGS TO SHELLBACKS.

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LIBERTY CALL