Ticonderoga Apollo Recovery (CVS 14) - Naval Cruise Book

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King Neptune Rel gns Pollywogs meet the ragmg mam practiced similar ceremonies upon crossing similar parallels Consequently many historians believe that the present day ceremony was passed on from the Vikings to the Anglos Saxons and Normans continuing to our present time It was a bright and sunny day ln the South Pacific It started out a blt unusual with Pollywog revellle being held quite early in the day. The shellbacks held Pollywog muster in the hangar bay of TICONDEROGA, a-venerable old shellback herself. Muster formation for the pollywogs consisted of being on all fours, shoulder to shoulder. The uniform was dungarees worn backwards. The pollywogs were given the option of wearing tennis shoes. At about 1030 an announcement from the bridge came: We have just crossed the Equator. The actual ceremony started about 0800 when the senior officer and civilian pollywogs were summoned to the number one elevator for a quick ride up to the flight deck to meet the Raging Main. The traditional Crossing the Line ceremony was characterized by anticipation, apprehension, high spirits, hard work and fun. The shellback's labor resulted in colorful, artistic costumes and functional, innovative staging. One by one, the lowly pollywogs made their way from the raised number one elevator to defend the charges levied against them before King Neptune in full regalia, attended by his royal court. Along the way, they passed through a cordon of eagerly awaiting shellbacks, who wished them good luck in their defense. The standard punishment was an opportunity to pay respect to the Royal Babies. The Royal Babies had their bellies smeared with axle and baking grease. All pollywogs were enticed to plant a big kiss on the Royal Baby's belly , The Royal Doctor encouraged all pollywogs to sample his specially prescribed medicine for all pollywog ailments. Further down the line, the Royal Barber offered free hair trimming to any pollywog volunteering for a haircut. Then there was the Royal Coffin filled with scrumptious pollywog slime-a real treat. The climax of the ceremony was an old fashioned dunking in a pool of salt water, green dye and garbage, which was enjoyed by all ...... SHELLBACKS. After all pollywogs had been initiated into the realm, King Neptune relinquished command and returned to the depths satisfied that his domain was secure. Today, King Neptune does live on in spirit . . . still, that is a very real spirit. just ask one of the TICONDEROGNS crewmen about King Neptune and his Royal Court. l'm sure you'll find that he'll shiver his timbers at the mention of Latitude 00-00. . v r Y 7 , O.. . r

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SIMEXes . . . Prior to the actual Splashdowny TICONDEROGA conducted many PTC' recovery SlMEXes or practices on the way to the recovery s1te The exerclses were geared wlth the actual Apollo plckup rn mmd Th1S was a PCl'10d when the pllots and alrcrewmen from NAS Imperlal Beach based Helxcopter Squadron One and NAS North Island based Carrler Alrborne Early Warnlng Squadron One Hundred Eleven, Detachment Apollo Underwater Demolltlon Team Twelve from Naval Amphrbrous Base, Coronado and TICONDEROGA s crew had dress rehearsals A pomt of splashdown was srmulated and all forces necessary for the actual plckup were employed as lf It were the real thmg Slmulated emergencles were practlced rn order to be ready for any sltuatlon that might crop up durlng the splashdown The TV and radro pool crews rehearsed thelr operatlons through the SIM EXes to be ready for the operatlon that of brmglng the whole world to the scene of this hlstorlcal occaslon Playlng the part of astronauts 1n each of the practlces were members of UDT 12 the team of swlmmers that attached the flotatlon collar around the command module on Splashdown and opened the hatch for the astronauts to ex1t Bollerplate These men were brought on board ship and glven VIP receptlons every other day m the course of the trammg . , 1 ' . n ' ' . . . , . . a . Q , 1 H n . . ,X . I I - . ' . o . . . . . - . ' Q cc ac - cc - n ' . . .