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Thread: Crossing the line.

  1. #11
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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    My first time crossing the line was in 1954 on the Port Jackson. They got both me and the other catering boy plus the peggie.

    We got the lot. A temporary canvas swimming pool had been erected for the warm weather while we were at sea. We were dunked and held under the water water in the pool to look for Neptune's lost mermaid, shaved with a two foot long mock open razor, and lathered with what looked like axel grease, the muck was poured over us and we had to chew on a pill, that was made out of soap, hosed down, tossed back into the pool and when we came out, Neptune told us we were now fully qualified seaman.

    I remember there wasn't an officer in sight, while the ceremony was going on, and the couple of bloods on the ship were warned to stay away or don't complain.

    It wasn't that bad, it was the horror stories that was told to us boys leading up to the ceremony by our "mates" that gave us the shivers.

    Cheers, Rodney

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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis McGuckin View Post
    How many of us took part in 'crossing the line ceremonies'?
    I for one, first trip on The Warwick Castle, was too busy to even know there was such a thing.
    In fact, on future ships, I still never saw it.
    Never had any ceremonies on BP Tankers but did receive a certificate for crossing the Arctic Circle on a cruise with Hurtegruten

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  4. #13
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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Crossing the line on the P&O cadet training ship Otaio was quite a spectacle. A timber and canvas pool was erected on No4 Hatch cover. This was then filled with a combination of Oxblood, sea water and any other disgusting gunk that could be found. First trippers were brought before King Neptune and his entourage. The crimes were read out before the unfortunate was then dunked into the disgusting brew!
    Something not to forget!
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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Never saw one on Texaco or Denholms

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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    I remember the ceremony vividly and still have my certificate!
    I suppose being on a Cadet ship the ceremony was more promoted and made into a big event for new Cadets. We were given a few minutes to run away and hide, I chose to go aft and hide in the Indian crew quarters, I was eventually discovered and my initiating began. It started with being charged and found guilty by King Neptune for crossing the line without his permission, I then had black shoe polish rubbed into my hair, had cake made of soap stuffed into my mouth, and had a Coca Cola type liquid poured down my throat, which apparently was a laxative! I was then plunged into the temporary swimming pool and ducked three times.
    All in all it was quite a harrowing but memorable experience.

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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Found my crossing the line certificate from the Orontes 1951 was a passenger coming home from Australia

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  10. #17
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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    This certificate was discovered amongst my cousin's war documents. He served on the troopship, the "M.V. Duntroon" and was based for 10 months at "Morotai + Labuan" at the date of this certificate.
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  12. #18
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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Hi Dennis,
    I was on the "Warwick Castle" in 1958 / 59 and heard about this taking place on board for the passengers but I never saw it or took part in any during my time at sea.
    Phil.

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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    I first crossed the line in the spring of 1955 on the City of Pretoria (Ellerman and Bucknall) as a 16 year old second Radio Officer. I wasn't involved in any ceremony although I was threatened with it many times. The Captain did present me with a fancy certificate which I still have after all these years. The City of Pretoria was my first ship.

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    Default Re: Crossing the line.

    Quote Originally Posted by Dennis McGuckin View Post
    How many of us took part in 'crossing the line ceremonies'?
    I for one, first trip on The Warwick Castle, was too busy to even know there was such a thing.
    In fact, on future ships, I still never saw it.
    I went through the 'ceremony', good fun, got some black boot polish on a certain part of my anatomy!!.

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