Saratoga (CV 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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l Albove-Strange tales abound concerning the Churclz of the Golden flltar. It was supposed to have been covered originally with priceless gold leaf. The coni- ing of the Buccaneers caused the attending Padres to cover it with a while substance to keep the pirates from carrying it off. Later the white covering was removed and the altar restored to its former beauty. The present covering is supposed to be a fine but not very expensive gold leaf. It is beautiful. A visit will cause you to stand by in reverence and awe. Below-Here stands the remains of the tower of a church in old Panama. The visit of Morgazz and his men was disastrous to the city. They burned, pil- laged and destroyed. Some say that in this vicinity priceless treasures have been buried. There's your chance. How about organizing a Sailors' Treasure Hunting Expedition? Tucla tlzat idea back in your mind for future action on the next visit to the Canal Zone. m 'amMw,,W,W...N,. Q L, ,uw icax as s . s c QA 4 ,., . Q - . it i - '- , , . K. ,K AN.: ',:iJ.,,w,n.1': V ca n 11:1 -sg i T. Ydl'V K i' AL- it r- at -, rs' ' ' '

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CRUSS NG Service Tradition The traditions of the Naval Service are the handed down or trans- mitted opinions, practices, doctrines, rites and customs of our first seamen without written memorials. lt should be the first duty and pride of all of us to learn and to con- form to the customs and traditions of the Naval Service. These customs and traditions are the soul of the Navy fesprit de corps, and ours from the seaman to the admiral. It has been said that all sailors belong to one great international broth- erhood of the sea, that they speak a common language, live a common life and expect the same death. For this reason, those who follow the sea, those who are sensible to the caprices and ever changing moods of oceansg those who know the type of men best fitted to combat the elements, find great traditions among seafarers of all nations. Such men have a pride of profession and a pride of service unequalled in any walk of life. The Naval Service particularly lends itself to passing on and perpetu- ating the heroic traditions, dignified ceremonies and venerated customs of the sea from the actions of John Paul .Tones in the Bon Homme Richard and Lawrence's dying words in the Chesapeake to Crossing the Linef' ln this, our heritage, let us carry on. The Urigin of the Tradition Lieutenant Commander Lovette in his book on Naval Traditions, Customs and Usage has this to say about the origin of the famous Cross- ing the Line celebration: HThe boisterous ceremonies of 'Crossing the Line' are of such ancient vintage that their derivation is lost. lt is well known that ceremonies took place long ago when the ship crossed the thirtieth parallel, and also when going through the Straits of Gibraltar. These early ceremonies were of the roughest sort and were, to a great extent, supposed to try the crew to determine whether or not the novices on their first cruise could endure the hardships of a life at sea. Then, as is the custom at the p1'esent time, it was primarily a crew's 'partyf The Vikings were reported at an early date to carry out these ceremonies on crossing certain parallels. lt is highly probable that the present day ceremony was passed on to the Angles, Saxons, and Normans from the Vikings. At an early date. ceremonies of propitiation were carried on. Neptune, the mythological god of the seas, was appeased by the seamen, and marks of respect were paid those of his underwater domain. It is plausible that THE LINE a part of the ceremony grew out of traditions of other days, even though men had come to doubt the existence of Neptune. Nevertheless, Neptune Rex is today the majesty who rules in the ceremonies. Crossing King Neptune's Boundary The 19th of lVIay, the United States Fleet slid steadily southward into the sullen waters of King Neptune's equatorial kingdom. Aboard the U. S. S. Saratoga, flagship of the Navy's Aircraft Battle Force, all was silent. Suddenly a piercing boatswain's whistle sounded from the loud speakers and set the silence a humming. A deep solemn voice cried: Now hear this, from stem to stern, and from port to starboard. Davey Jones is expected to board ship to deliver a summons from His Kla- jesty, Neptune Rex, to Captain Halsey. Instantly the ship was all astir. Excitement buzzed in the air. But the solemn voice in the loud speaker was not yet finished. USet the Ensign pollywog watch for Davey Jones! Gut on the bow was heard the hooting and howling of old-time shell- backs. Then proudly down our great flight deck, six abreast, marched the port and starboard Ensign pollywog lookout watch for Davey Jones. Ensigns Samuels, Knowles, Froling, Bartlett, Sellars and Sublette in eve- ning coats, fore and aft hats lashed firmly on with white cloth lashings, white trousers of knee length, sash around the waist, no shoes and no socks, diligently took their posts in the eyes of the ship and scanned the sea from far and near searching for salty Davey Jones, Emissary of King Neptune. At five of seven in the evening the Ensign pollywogs on the bow started. A great signal rocket shot up from the flagship of the United States Fleet. Davey jones was approaching and instantly the great men- of-war rang up Hstopl' on their engine room telegraphs. The Fleet was being boarded by a greater power than it had met before. From somewhere out of the deep, close aboard the Saratoga, a muffled voice drifted down g. V. H, . ' I . I . v,,, with the wind. Ship ahoy. Ship ahoy. Ship ahoy. The pollywog lookouts swept the sea, with their firehose nozzle spy- glasses. The shrill voice of the Qfficer-of-the-Deck screamed into the wind: Ahoy, there l-H The voice came back clearer: 'WVhat ship is this ?', The United States Ship Saratoga, valiantlv screamed the O. O. D. 25 . A head a ieared over the dark bow of the shi , its voice svoke again: PI n , D 1 P. TVhence come you? And whither bound? ' Sefventeefz