Hale (DD 642) - Naval Cruise Book

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After leaving Sasebo and recuperating from the ship ' s party, we had another short stop at Hong Kong. Between Hong Kong ' and Singapore the fire hoses got a real workout. Us Pollywogs and the Shellbacks had a free-for-all the day before the initiation just to get into the spirit of things. That was our day, but the Shellbacks got back at us on the day of the initiation. The Shellbacks played it real cool. They only fed us a measly sandwich while they had a big Royal Banquet, complete with steaks and fancy waiters, furnished by the Wardroom. For entertainment they had a band and three local rope chokers from the First Division singing Hillbilly music. No show is complete without Lily Saint Cyr, or one of those buxom beauties. But King Neptune was gener- ous enough to bring up one of his beauties from the deep. It was a real doll. It was so sexy when singing The heat is on and Dia- monds are a girl ' s best friend that King Neptune immediately sent if back to the deep. ' -! „• • • ••VA •• •••••• i • . w M m » w M m » »

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C — t I order and command you FULLER JAMES W. USN to appear before me and my court on the morrow to be initiated in the mysteries of my Empire. If you do not appear you shall be given as good for sharks, whales, pollywogs, frogs and all living things of the sea, who will devour you — head, body and soul — as a warning to all landlubbers who would enter my Imperial Domain without warrant. CHARGE I. For Contaminating the Royal Deep by discarding overboard the remains of evening meal - thereby giving indigestion to Eels, Squid, Shrimp, Sea Horses and other Royal Pets. Therefore, appear and obey - OR - suffer the penalty !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I I i i m .«K fa

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King Neptunes court was set up on the fantail in waiting for the first Pollywog. The Shellbacks had already set up their paddle line and I was the first Pollywog shoved through. After being swatted through the line, one end of me was as red as a beet. The concoc- tion the Royal Doctor made me drink, I forgot my bottom and started spitting from the top. Then I got read off by the Royal Court. Yep, I was found guilty on all counts. Punishment! Man, what punish- ment! Taking a drink out of the Royal Baby ' s bottle was bad enough but having to kiss his greasy belly really took the cake. The end? Hell, no! I still had to inch my way through a garbage pit on my belly, with the Shellbacks taking up with their paddles where they had left off. I didn ' t know whether the dunking afterward was the end of the ceremony or just to wash off the garbage. But after being pulled out of the tub and officially told I was a Shellback, I took my rightful place at the end of the Paddle Line. i