Carter Hall (LSD 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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Maritime tradition dictates that whenever a Navy ship dips below the Equator all 'pollywogs - or first timers-will be indoctrinated into the realms of the sea and lore of Davy Jones and King Neptune by the old hands or shell backs Preparations are elaborate and painstaking since everything must be just right on that auspicious day when Davy and the King and his A court arrive aboard to conduct the awesome ceremony of initiation Subpoenas and Summonses for all pollywogs must be prepared to aid the Royal Prosecutor while suitable thrones must be constructed for Neptunus Rex the Royal Baby and the Royal Concubine a large pool a garbage chute and many special devices must be made ready The afternoon prior to Neptune's arrival or Pollywog Day is the only chance the newcomers have to harrass e shellbacks MR2 VACCARO CS1 BRICK and SN KOWACICH may have been sorry later for what they did to LT QUINN and ENl MCCOY On the following morning however the tables were turned LT TOONE in Service dress blue with medals and sword and HMC HALL in service dress khaki with ribbons were among the special lookouts posted to watch for Neptune's arrival and CSCS HARRIS prepared an extraordinary breakfast for pollywogs which LT GABOURY was unable to finish Once the Royal party was welcomed aboard by the Commanding Officer and EN3 MOORE was elected Polywog Queen 1nd1v1dual lndoctrination into the realm of the deep began The process was an arduous one trial by CWO 2 BELL the Royal Prosecutor , sentence by SMC TAYLOR Neptunus Rex himself and a speclal greeting from MMC WARNEY the Royal Baby a difficult and hazardous Journey through and around uncounted obstacles supervised by Davy The Royal Court

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MEETS DA VY JONES A 35' Af , I . W lx , f x KING NEPTUNE COMES ABOARD EE -

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Kiss Your What? riff v Jones RD1 BANKS and numerous veteran shell- backs, a regulation Pollywog haircut by the Royal Barber LCDR BENNETT and his able assistant SK1 CABASUG, and finally a plunge 1nto Neptune's pool where BMC HAWKINS the 'Royal Jester , asked Are you a SHELLBACKW' until each pollywog decided that he had in fact become a shellbaok CARTER HALL'S voyage below the Equator was both a memorable and enjoyable experience for shellbacks and pollywogs alike.