168 Crossing the Line 



1870 



May 11. From 4 to 6 p. m. At 4.30 called all hands to muster & commenced 

 to read the Articles of War, when the ship was hailed, the engines stopped 

 and tlie ship boarded by his Oceanic Majesty, King Neptune; when certifi- 

 cates were given to aU those who had crossed the Hne, and tribute exacted 

 from the remainder. Steamed ahead again at 4.40. Weather warm & clear. 



( Log of U.S.S. Flagship Colorado, 1st Rate, 47 guns. Captain George H. 

 Cooper, U. S. Navy. At sea making passage to China. ) 



Ten minutes were long enough this time according to the ship's log. At least the engines 

 were stopped that long. 



The Colorado was commanded by Rear Admiral John Rodgers and bore Frederick Ferdinand 

 Low, our Minister to China, on a mission to negotiate a treaty with Korea. 



Thanks to Rear Admiral John B. Heffeman, Ü.S.N. (Ret.), now Director of Naval Records 

 and Naval History (OP-29), we can quote the text of the certificate from King Neptune, 

 Sovereign of the Seas, Prince of Blowers, thus: 



Know ye all by these presents 



That R. Adm. John Rodgers A SEA WARRIOR in the service of my beloved 

 daughter-in-law COLUMBIA, having this day (or previously) paid the tribute re- 

 quired by me from all crossing the Equinoctial Line, is now FOREVER EXEMPT 

 from any and all toUs, fines, or taxes that may be levied by me or by my successors; 

 and should he enter our element, by accident or otherwise, I abjure all Sharks, Devil 

 Fish, and Sea Serpents to respect his person UNLESS VERY HUNGRY: Provided 

 he never ceased to uphold the honor of the Flag, which, next to my own, I hold 

 most sacred. 



Done on Board COLUMBIA'S War Chariot, the COLORADO, near the Equator 

 on this 15th day of May, 1870. 



This voyage brought forth another record of the crossing. Forecastle Echoes; or. Yarns in 

 verse; treating of noteworthy events in the cruise of the U.S. Frigate Colorado, flagship of the 

 Asiatic fleet, 1870-71. By Geo. R. WiQis. Printed at the Japan Gazette office, 87 Main Street, 

 Yokahama. 27 pages. 12mo. Pages 10-12 give us the tale of the crossing: 



Bipeds, advance, who ne'er before 

 Have passed the Mystic Zone; 

 Bow to your Sovereign and proffer 

 A tribute to the Thronel 



"Ha there's 'fresh fish,' — I plainly mark 

 The guilt betraying blush; 

 I here proclaim them, one and all. 

 Fit subjects for the brush." 



The Royal Barber grinned in glee. 

 The Shark stretched forth his fin, 

 And in his slimy clutches dragged 

 The struggling victims in. 



Right valiantly they kicked, and fought; 

 Resistance proved in vain. 

 Old Neptune claimed the beards of all 

 New-comers on the main. 



And in return he promised us 

 Fair winds, and pleasant seas; 

 (To verify his words, just then 

 Up sprung a pleasant breeze.) 



