Ingersoll (DD 652) - Naval Cruise Book

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EREMONIES ' 495 W -f 'Sl 1 . H Qu, rch' .. D vY Jones Wa The a X ,H v in the If 5 t- H SundaY Bes 2027501 THE cou-:cle oe THE HIGH offfefr oe THE POLYVUGS Aeren Due cofvslneearloru HAVE Decfnen ro mee A ZAsr smvn x H Cl H ' VI .f con H- fef A?3ff5f2356fEf' fm se0slHOfB9AcffsLx'1ffffv5 ZSMPLEIEEJTS oe Desmucrfou Hvceunme eme HDSES, efee Axes, MARLIN spikes, MDNKEY WFPEIJCHFS, Hmves, Arm e1eeAHHs, Husaes Hoses D svHeffcHes H rf UTHO 1 D x N0 SHELLQACFQGII5 T6 BF s'PfHgDSf9Hzi?rH7sAr?5vAeA re Rxzfms Husr 'a BE Cmfeeeren urcff Y A eee fefvr Y BY a ' Give SHELLf?AOfSLTllfIE!DTO Hegupefef re x 211 Q H IA Of? R EXPEgITE...BTDE Q5 Mutiny'

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S l -N X, 3 . . Q-n-we-mnzwmvfv-v ,- 1 .3 P, sq f' KN - rt - . , The boisterous crossing the line ceremonies are as old and traditional as the Navy itself. The idea was to see if the novices on their first world cruise could endure the hardships of a life at sea. The vikings of the early centuries were reported to religiously carry out these oermonies on crossing certain parallels Those who have crossed the line are called shellbacks?' and all the others pollywogs . All sailormen treasure the certificate which testifies they have been found worthy to be numbered as one of the trusty shellbacks and duly initiated into the solemn mysteries of the ancient order of the deep. The new Navy cermonies are colorful and with the exception of a sound tanning you-know-where , a good dunking in a water tank, the dye painting and shaving cermonies, they cannot be considered really too unreasonable - can they? The oldest and most dignified member of the crew is usually selected as Neptunus Rex, the mythological god of the seas, who rules in the ceremonies. His first assistant is Davy jones. Her highness, Amphitrite, appears, well gowned in an exotic costume of seaweed and rope yarn. The remainder of the Court consists of the Royal Scribe, the Royal Docotr, the Royal Barber, the Royal Babies and the Royal Chaplain. The other shellbacks have the difficult task of rounding up the uninitiated,standing dousing watches in a canvas water tank and swinging a wicked paddle. It is a custom the day before the ship crosses the line for Davy jones to appear on board with a message to the Captain from his Majesty ,Neptunus Rex, stating the time for the reception of the Royal Party and with summons for the pollywogs to appear before him. A pollywog watch, bedecked in tediculous cos- tume is posted to eye and report the arrival of Davy jones. Of recent years the slimy loathsome pollywogs have been known to stage some bloodlyuprisings Shellbacks have been cornered on this day before tried before a ruthless mob and condemned They have been stripped to the waist tied in stretchets and to masts and plastered with assorted goodies from the previous week s meals Some have even been stuffed up to the neck in seabags and smothered in warm beef gravy On the reception day the navagator reports the ship on the line All is made ready for 'Nleptune and party They are greeted on the quarterdeck at a formal ceremony and then solomnly proceed aft to the throne The initiation commences green officers first amidst wild booting and malacious laughter Once shellbacks they qualify to assist with the others It s a long and wild day of excitement this yorning the ancient order of the deep You ve never SCCD such 3 IDCSS I XT Q1 Q l v' N ' . qflbln 1

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,Q0c55fNG T eLfNE--P 1 xl S l n I gy I E Welcome the Royal Court. ,,--v-v.pn- Q . QTEK R E., : . The Royal Navigator I i l all 4 YE 3 I X TL 2 if li The Royal Babv. The King 81 Baby mv Shellback! Been had!