Saratoga (CV 3) - Naval Cruise Book

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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

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f' N1 ' Ml 1 'iv n-n-uwhg , , , ,ws-,Q f '+ 9. u-.9 ? 4 NN NX' , .Q , KING NIQPTUNIC ANU 'VHF ROY.-Xl, P.-XRTY Sixteen

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From Panama on United States Fleet Exercises. Who are you ? challenged our O. O. D. A dark figure surrounded by indistinct forms appeared over the bow and seemed to move down the flight deck. Davey jones, Emissary of His Majestjf, Neptunus Rex, and Staff. Heave to while l board you. l have important messages to deliver. I Aye, aye! said the O. O. D., and making certain that his ship was stopped, he turned the great searchlights to the flight deck and there stood wooden-legged Davey Jones, wearing the royal uniform of a great com- mander and aide to King Neptune. Behind him gathered his staff as they swarmed up through the hawse and on to the flight deck. A bold, bucca- neering sort they seemed to be with brine dripping from their very teeth. Old Davey Jones and jolly Rogers were out in force. The movie cameras ground out the scene as Captain Halsey strode ' Y toward the Embassador from the deep. iKGfCCtIHgS, Davey jones! ' Hhfly congratulations to you, Captain. Some few years since I saw ,Y fou. 3 !'Yes, it was aboard the U. S. S. Yarnall on 24 January, 1921. 'WVell. Captain, l have a summons to you from Neptunus Rexf' l'Speak, Davey, I shall be glad to hear it. And Davey jones read' his summons: THE ROYAL PALACE, Realm of the Raging Maizz. Neptunus Rex, Ruler of the Raging lldain and King of All Crea- tures in and on the Deeps of the Seven Seas, to Captain W. F. Hal- sey, United States Navy, Commanding the.United States Ship Sara- toga, and to All Officers and hden Serving Therein: GREETINGS, and Welcome to the Royal Realm under Qur Command! i According to information which we have received, you will enter our domain at eight bells of the morning watch. At that time we shall board you, and you are directed to hold yourselves in readi- ness for a rigid inspection by ourselves and Royal Court, and to give your ship into our charge and keeping until we have set all things in order for your passing through the waters of Our Domain. We regret that so many scurvy landlubbers are aboard but of those who prove their worth we shall make loyal subjects before the next setting of the sun. Her lVIajesty, Queen Amphitrite, Our Consort, and the Heir Apparent, the Royal Baby, with sundry noble persons and retainers and mermaids of the Court will accompany us upon our visitation. You will make suitable provisions for their comfort and entertainment. We promise justice to all on the morrow and further direct that all dangerous characters be retained in double irons that our visit may be profitable and pleasant. Eighteen if-.1f.i,,2f....af--R4u::.,.e:g.J,+-1 , , , nr -, , Done under my hand and seal this seventeenth day of llay, in the Year of Our Lord 1936. NEPTUNLVS REX. you when I return with my Royal lVIaster, Neptunus Rex. Good night, sir. The Captain: Please convey my best wishes to your sovereign and assure him that we will gladly welcome him aboard and defer to his com- mands. . T Davey Jones, Jolly Rogers and Staff leave the ship. , Thus closed the first historic day of the celebration. -Looked like serious business that night. All hands, not on watch, turned in with anx- ious hearts, to dream of the arrival of the King of the Deep the following' morning. Ne-ptunus Rex Arrives Wednesday morning-8 o'clock-All of the Pollywogs are at quarters anxiously awaiting the arrival of His Rlajesty, Neptunus Rex. He wg- preceded by his courtiers who were arrayed in full court regalia. and pre- sented a galaxy of color and costume beyond the wildest dreams uf tim esthete or the heathen. Neptunus Rex! Full military honors and the Captain and Adinirgaik warm homage. Captain: UA sailor's welcome to you, Neptunus Rex: it is a :rear pleasure to have you with us. Neptune: The pleasure is mine, Captain, and to you. your officers and crew, Greetings! and welcome to the waves and deeps of the watery domain which, from time immemorial, has been under our benevolent rule I am glad to be with you again, Captain. and have prepared for a busy day in order to make your landlubbers fit subjects of my great sea domain, Allow me to present the Royal Navigator and Shellbacks who will reliew youf' C ' : NY l aptain 1 eptune, turn over my command to you for such tinw as, you wish. Neptune: Very well, Captain, and thank you. QTurns to Royal Navigator.j Royal Navigator, proceed to the bridge and direct the ship on the course assigned. But hold! Yvhose flag is that l see flying from the masthead of the gallant ship Pi' i i i upon learning its owner he is very pleased to share his honor.l V Captain: That is the flag of Vice Admiral Henry V. Butler. Cem- manding Aircraft Squadrons. Battle Force. Neptune: Did you say Henry Varnum Butler? Captain: Y es, that is the name that I said. Davey Jones: I will await your pleasure tomorrow, sir, and will see . . CNeptune is apparently disturbed because he sees some one else's tin, alongside of his, in spite of the fact that his measures some twenty feet. hu' , .ij ' 111 r.-i .rat 2' rf xiitr. A.. . ..-