The Twentieth Century 189 



1939 



The boisterous ceremonies of "crossing the Une" are of such ancient vintage 

 that their derivation is lost. It 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 hfe at sea. 

 Then, as is the custom at the present time, it was primarily a crew's "party." 

 The Vikings were reported at an early date to carry out these ceremonies on 

 crossing certain parallels. It 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 a part 

 of the ceremony grew out of traditions of other days, even though saüors 

 had come to doubt the existence of Neptune. Nevertheless, Neptimus Rex is 

 today the majesty who rules in the ceremonies. 



Those who have "crossed the hue" are called "shellbacks." These Sons of 

 Neptune compose the cast for the present-day ceremonies. It is a curious fact 

 of human nature, but men wül suffer a very severe initiation in order to be 

 permitted to inflict the same on other men. 



Sailormen treasure the certificate which testifies that "in Latitude 00-00 



and Longitude . . .," and usually addressed to 



all Mermaids, Sea Serpents, Whales, Sharks, Porpoises, Dolphins, 



Skates, Eels, Suckers, Lobsters, Crabs, Poll)'wogs, and other hving 



things of the sea, 



[name] 



has been found worthy to be numbered as one of our trusty shell- 

 backs, has been gathered to our fold and duly initiated into the 

 solemn mysteries of the ancient order of the deep. 

 Usually the ceremonies of the modem Navy are picturesque, and with the 

 exception of the discomfort of a good wetting in the tank, a shght shock of 

 electricity from the "Devu," and the shaving ceremony, the initiation cannot 

 be called extremely rough. I am told that in merchant ships the ceremony is 

 still severe in the physical discomforts inflicted. Officers of the United States 

 Navy could at one time "buy off" by giving the Neptune party so many bottles 

 of beer. Unless the ceremonies are very crude, it is a tradition that younger 

 officers in particular undergo the initiation. 



The eldest and most dignified member of the crew is usually selected as 

 Neptunus Rex; his first assistant is Davy Jones. Her Highness Amphitrite is 

 usually a good looking young seaman who wül appear well in the déshabulé 

 of seaweed and rope yams. The Court in general consists of the Royal Scribe, 

 the Royal Doctor, the Royal Dentist, the Devu, and other names that suit 

 the fancy of the party. The Bears have the difficult task of rounding up 



