192 Crossing the Line 



1959, continued 



A Sample Summons ^ 



U.S.S. — On Entering 



Domain of Neptonus Rex 



Notice and Listen ye Landlubber 



I order and command you to appear before me and my court on 

 the morrow to be initiated in the mysteries of my Empire. If not, 

 you shall be given as food for sharks, whales, pollywogs, frogs, and 

 all Hving things of the sea, who wül devour you, head, body, and 

 soul as a warning to landlubbers entering my Domain without 

 warrant. 



You are charged with the following offenses 



Therefore, appear and obey or suffer the penalty. 



Registered: 



Davy Jones 



Secretary to His Majesty 



Decorative certificates of distinct nautical phraseology are presented to 

 those initiated. It is customary for the captain to sign the "diploma," also the 

 seal of the ship is a£Bxed thereto. No custom of the sea is better known, for 

 to qualify as a "shellback" is a distinction desired by all saüormen. 



As an example of the importance given to the ceremonies of crossing the 

 line, the writer ^ has seen a squadron of ships sail along for days just north of 

 the "line," awaiting a favorable time to head south and cross. . . . This ancient 

 ceremony that we observe is most spectacular and dear to the heart of the 

 seamen of all nations. 



Captain HaU, writing a hundred years ago, said of this ceremony, 



Its evü is transient, if any evil there be; while it certainly affords 

 Jack a topic for a month beforehand and a fortnight afterwards; and 

 if so ordered as to keep its monstrosities within the limits of strict 

 disciphne (which is easy enough) it may even be made to add to the 

 authority of the officers, instead of weakening their influence. 



( Lieutenant Commander Leland P. Lovette, U. S. Navy. Naval customs, 

 traditions and usage. United States Naval Institute: Annapolis, Mary- 

 land, 1939. p. 42-47.) 



Reprinted with permission of Admiral Lovette. 



The quotation from Basil HaU is entered in full above under 1832. 



2 The "Summons" given is one of many forms used. They are usually folded and made up in 

 the form of a subpoena. 



3 Chief Boatsvi'ain John D. Thompson, U.S. Navy. 



