Crossing the Line: Naval Rituals on the Equator

By Margaret Green

Anthropology 452, Summer 2019

Abstract

Life for men who chose to make their living on the sea has always been full of danger, hardships, and depravations. These men have a long history of initiation ceremonies that reflects the values of cooperation and stoicism when faced with tribulations. As a ship crosses the equator the men on board who have never crossed this line are put through an initiation ceremony that will transform them from novice seamen into true sailors. These rituals help solidify the sailor’s identity; however, these traditions have changed in recent years as a result of scrutiny from the public.

History

Rituals

Today's Navy

05:29

Wog Day Afternoon

Shellback invitation on board the USS Coral Sea World Cruise 1983. Please forward to your shipmates!

10:20

Neptune's Realm - The Bizarre US Navy Equator Initiation Ritual

FDR Presidential Library Video 213 Neptune's Realm From Pathe News. MP71-8:9 Navy ships with Franklin D. Roosevelt on board approach the equator. Sailors who have not yet crossed the equator are initiated in a silly ceremony with Neptune officiating. FDR observes the fun. Narrated Archival footage from the FDR Presidential Library.

02:54

Crossing The Line Aka Crossing The Equator - HMS Hood (1922)

Titles read: 'The Equator - Crossing The Line - King Neptune and his Consort hold their Court on HMS Hood and carry out traditional ceremony. Altogether 1,200 Officers and Men were initiated.' Bizarre initiation ceremony officers and men crossing the equator for the first time. Procession on deck of King Neptune & his Consort. King has crown; sceptre w/ Neptune symbol. The Consort is a real woman; weighing c. 250 lbs; a few sailors in drag make up the court. They walk past a line of men in strange ragged furry native costumes & blackface; other weird costumes. Royal Marines in their normal uniforms stand in BG. Rear Admiral Sir W Cowan; having previously crossed the Line; is invested with Order of the old Sea Dog. Cowan steps up; kneels. King N. & touches him w/ sceptre; Consort places ribbon round his neck. MS Cowan w/ fat lady. Now for the initiation rituals. Doctor w/ long white beard listens to sailor's chest w/ giant primitive stethoscope; bangs on the guy's chest w/ mallet; sticks something in his mouth; & someone else reaches in & pours a glass of water down his throat. Next a funny barber sequence: same guy sits while 2 men pretend to cut his hair w/ giant scissors; slap stuff on his face & shave him w/ giant razor. At this point he looks a total mess. Now he's pushed backward down a slide into a part of the deck they have flooded; surrounded by some waterproof fabric. Initiates are passed between lines of savages; dunked several times. then when they climb out they run another gauntlet of guys who whack their behinds. This is duplicate of G 916 - Crossing the Line. Silly; wacky; hazing; ships. FILM ID:2462.12 A VIDEO FROM BRITISH PATHÉ. EXPLORE OUR ONLINE CHANNEL, BRITISH PATHÉ TV. IT'S FULL OF GREAT DOCUMENTARIES, FASCINATING INTERVIEWS, AND CLASSIC MOVIES. http://www.britishpathe.tv/ FOR LICENSING ENQUIRIES VISIT http://www.britishpathe.com/ British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website. https://www.britishpathe.com/

Warning! The first video "Wog Day Afternoon" contains images of violence and simulated violence, as well as images of people consuming unappetizing foods. If you think you might be disturbed by this video, I recommend skipping this video. Thank you.