Soon We Will be Shellbacks

As Turtlebones makes her way further south, the crew is increasingly aware that a significant milestone looms ever closer – the equator.  

Each of us are consumed by weighty questions like: will the water going down the drain really start spinning the opposite way?

Countless generations of humans have similarly anticipated crossing the imaginary line separating the northern and southern hemispheres, on all manner of vessel.  And, for centuries, they have marked the occasion in some way or another.

In navies, equator crossing ceremonies typically involve paying some form homage to the gods of the seas, and assorted forms of initiation for first-timers, administered, or inflicted, by those who have previously made the crossing. These may range from the comical to enduring mild indignities, and all the way through to quite degrading types of hazing. Prior to the 20^th century, naval crossing ceremonies often involved an astonishing level of brutality. Enough so, that some sailors didn’t survive the ordeal.  

Today, the British, US, and many other navies stage elaborate crossing ceremonies, replete with ostentatious costumes and props, designed to create Neptune’s royal court and enabling its various rituals.  

As Shawn mentioned in his recent post, the Canadian navy refers to sailors making their first equatorial crossing as ‘tadpolls’. The US nave uses the term ‘pollywogs’. Upon making the crossing, and enduring the rituals, tadpools or pollywogs earn the right to be called ‘shellbacks’

Similar ceremonies, without the indignities common in naval initiation, also may take place aboard passenger ships and cruise liners. These usually involve hoisting a toast to Neptune, and possibly pouring a little over the side for his enjoyment. Aboard some ships, volunteers are invited to be doused with cold water, and/or to kiss a fish. 

Aboard Turtlebones we generally shy away from inflicting indignities on one another – although, the self-inflicted variety are not unknown. Thankfully, all three of us are tadpoles, so there aren’t any shellbacks aboard to administer embarrassing pranks. In keeping with tradition, those aboard may be required to answer and atone for the crimes and transgressions they have committed against Neptune and his watery realm. Of which, no doubt, there are many.

Turtlebones, however, has crossed the equator a number of times. I certainly hope she doesn’t have anything devious in store for us.  I guess we’ll need to be wary over the coming days.

Normally, Turtlebones is a ‘dry vessel’ while underway. But in anticipation of the crossing festivities, an exception will be made. In Mexico, a bottle of bubbly was procured specifically for the occasion. It’s now chilling in the fridge. 

– Bill