188 Crossing the Line 



c. 1930, continued 



shipboard. I start a Tall Story Club — each one tells the most vmusual hap- 

 pening in his hfe. It successfully does away with "that reminds me" stories 

 of hunting in Maine or visiting cathedrals in Europe. Everyone has days and 

 days in which to think up a good one Üiat wül top all others. And, beheve me, 

 even Davy Crockett would blush at some of the fabulous tales I 



So we were the first to our corner and the last to leave it. Observing me 

 among all those story-telling men, as I say, the Captain misunderstood. He 

 sent me a note asking me to be Queen Neptune for the Crossing of the Line 

 Ceremony. Of course, I refused. He thought me rude not to appreciate the 

 honor and was rude in return by saying that it was either the queenship for 

 me or a ducking like all tlie rest. Evidently no respect for age on this ship. 



I had to go through with it. An officer wove me a wonderful costume of rope 

 and everyone loaned me strings of pearls. I was regally costumed for the 

 Crossing. When I saw the others smeared with paint and sent to the ducking 

 stool, I knew I had chosen wisely. 



( Mary Sheridan Fahnestock. I ran away to sea at fifty. New York, 1939. 

 p. 27-28.) 



No precise date is given, but the crossing was probably in the thirties. The mother sailed to 

 Tahiti to join her two sons who had left Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, Long Island, on a cruise to 

 the Pacific in their thirty-five foot schooner. Director. 



Reprinted with permision of Harcourt, Brace & Company, publishers. 



1936 



The voice of the people was loud and distinct in 1936, with only Maine, Ver- 

 mont, and Dutchess County dissenting. When the vote of confidence had 

 been recorded, we began preparations to transport FDR to the Inter-Amer- 

 ican Conference at Buenos Aires 



FDR was a frustrated seagoing sailor. He was never so content as when 

 he was on blue water, and the ocean was second only to Warm Springs in 

 restoring vigor sapped by the toughest job in the world. He was in magnificent 

 fettle as we tied up at Rio. He had survived his equator crossing nicely, al- 

 though he was subjected to a double initiation. He was not only elevated 

 from the lowly state of "polHwog" to "trusted shellback," but in recognition 

 of his exalted position he was further given what was known as the "Royal 

 Works." The crew showed no awe for their Commander-in-Chief and gave 

 him full treatment, to his great dehght and the Secret Service's complete 

 honor. 



(Michael F. Reilly and William J. Slocum. Reüly of the White House. 

 New York, 1947. p. 108-109.) 



Reprinted with permission of Simon & Schuster, publishers. 



