Yorktown Apollo Recovery (CVS 10) - Naval Cruise Book

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SEBI. ' 350 Become Shellbacks It only took about ten minute s if you were not a special case , and had to go through more than once. But , in that ten minutes your knees got mighty sore crawling on the flight deck, not to speak of how sore your rear end became af- ter being hit many times with a piece of two and one-half inch fire hose. When the ceremony was over on January 27 350 crewmembers of the Yorktown were Shellbacks , as the Fighting Lady crossed the equator at 99-30'W on her trip to Norfolk. The festivities began on January 25 with the is suing of subpoenas to all Pollywogs. The charges filed ranged from impersonating a Shellback and gaining classified information to playing Jewish hymns at Protestant and Catho- lic church services. Davy Jones arrived onboard on January 26 with a message to the Pollywogs and a greeting to the Shellbacks from King Neptune. After being introduced by Capt Fifield, the salty old sailor told the Pollywogs what they -were in for the following morning. Pollywogs were all up at 4 am in plenty of time for breakfast. The initiation began by di- iytn, . 1 g . x . .i . 3 5 i r K ' Q cf. . . p ' K M, 1' i ' it . f, N ' . b A pig. J n X - - Us ' . t 'L f ' ' R . ps ., A I 551 X R UUCH!--Polfgwog takes his swats as he begins his trek through the long line of Shellbacks. Page IN FULL SWING--Shellbach ceremony is in full swing on the flight deck. visions forming at 8:00 on the flight deck. After crawling on hands and knees through the swat line, the Pollywogs stopped to pay their respects to King Neptune. Some Pollywogs, under orders from King Neptune and the Royal Court, were taken to the stockade where they received more swats and a haircut. Other Pollywogs stopped to see the Royal Barber, from whom some received haircuts, and all had grease applied to their heads. From there they stopped to kiss the Royal Baby' s navel. After being dunked in the coffin , which was filled with lard, grease and fog foam, they visited the Royal Doctor for an injection of some foul tasting medicine, and then they had to crawl through the garbage shoot. At that point in the ceremony allPollywogs became Shellbacks. Some unfortunate special cases , mostly officers and chiefs , had to make several trips through the line. The ceremony that accompanied Yorktown' s crossing the equator dates from the Viking times. Originally intended as a test of en- durance, it became a party for the crew. King Neptunus Rex is the oldest and most dig- nified Shellback member of the crew. His court consists of other Shellbacks whose job it is to see that justice of their king is wrought. 30

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Yorktown Leaves Lon Beach BUN VUYAGE--YURKTOWN gets underway on voyage to new home port ef N0f'f0H4f ending a nine gear association with Long Beach. Page 29

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Yorktown Shellbacks Have Their Day , knit L I 'A ' af? 'rs 'xv f x ' ' F -,V vi t V ' ' DARK TRIP--Pollywog is assisted into the gar- HIS DAY--King Nepfunug Rex IABH3 Rgbert bage chute by a loyal Shellbaclz. When he emerges G. Lint! reigns ouer Shellbach cere-l from the other end he is also a loyal Shel lbach. many. .- L4 W ix, i,, W , A ' -A lv V 'g ' . Ri .2 l el FM i u , f i , vjt i . f A I ' ff, ' I i 4 , I V ' Vxlh i r ' if ,Q X X Q ' vu ' 1, K 1. r' f 4 ,, HUNGRY?--How about a piece REGULATIUN SHELLBACK HAIRCUT--Pollywogs who were deemed special of raw liver? cases were sent to the stoclzade. Page 3l