California (CGN 36) - Naval Cruise Book

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I It iionj with lut teiiiicti 1 Abielitl Davy Jones (BM1 Warrick) and admirers. (From left to right, MS3 Henderson, MSI Blanco, SA Ceyer, and ETl Christy). The Royal Barber, Chief Taylor, prepares the Royal Baby, IC1 Cooper. gill who icks . I , i« M ' King Neptune (QMC Hallman) arriving. MSSN Dux King Neptune ' s Royal Beauties. The final selection w as so tough, that King Neptune was forced to select both finalists. OSSA Castro

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A Naval Tradition: Past and Present 1 The crossing-the-line ceremonies are so ancient that their origins have been lost in time. The early ceremonies were intended to be rough in order to test the crew and to evaluate if the boots could endure the hardships of life at sea. The modern Navy ' s crossing-the-line ceremonies are uncomfortable, but fun. All officers and men, who have never crossed the line, must undergo the scrutiny of King Neptune and his court. The night before the ship crosses the equator, Davy Jones, the Royal Scribe, brings a message to the captain from King Neptune, which announces the time that the King will arrive and begin the ceremonies. Usually, the senior Shell-back crew member is selected to be King Neptune, and the next senior crew member as Davy Jones. Her Royal Highness, Amphitrite (Miss Pollywog) is the best looking young seaman selected by the shellbacks. Other members of King Neptune ' s court may include: the Royal Baby, the Royal Barber, the Royal Doctor, the Royal Judge, the Royal Dentist, and the Royal Chaplain. During her active years at sea, the battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44) had many crossing-the-line ceremonies. Below are a few photographs from BB-44 ' s 1936 crossing-the-line ceremonies. ZJ{ ZJ- Div) ' lones | Blanco, SA ( The Royal Judge pauses to have his picture taken along with his assistants before he resumes his work handing out verdicts to the Pollywogs . (L to R. MM2 Burns and MM! Albright.) I Ihe Rojil Iwlor, prep Bait, ICl C( The initiation of the pollywogs and tadpoles . As BB-44 crossed the equator, these men went through the rites common to all who cross King Neptune ' s domain. They emerged as shellbacks . The Royal Navigator marks the crossing of the equator, 20 May 1936, at 0534, 81° 12 ' 12 . Pollywogs and Tadpoles stood watch looking for the equator.

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SH HHSfli CMMSN Reingold, T Division contestant. BM1 Simmons looks on with admiration. The beauties line up for the final selection. The Miss Pollywog contestants awaiting anxious- ly for the program to begin. FTG3 Cornell, G Division, is escorted by FTG3 Zirkle (I.) and OS2 Santangelo (r.). SKSN Lavacca, S-1 Division, walks with gusto.