Great White Fleet Crossing the Line

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The Domain of Neptunus Rex

In no other way is naval tradition seen more visibly than in the "Crossing the Line" ceremony held on board ships as the cross the equator. For two-thirds of the crews of the Great White Fleet, this would be their first time and would require initiation in the realm of Neptune. As they approached the equator each ship prepared for King Neptune and his Court to arrive onboard and initiate his new "shellbacks".

Ceremony onboard the Georgia

(Brown and Schaffer Collection)

(select to see large image)

Each sailor of the ship looked forward to the initiation considering it a right of passage that was worth documenting on a certificate that they mailed home for safe keeping. At right Emanuel Munsen, USS Virginia shown in a formal portrait. At left his certificate.

The Ceremony onboard USS Nebraska

The Ceremony onboard USS Wisconsin

This group of cards is from the M. R. Battey Collection. Based on the photographs, it is thoughts that the above ceremony took place on the USS Wisconsin.

The Ceremony onboard USS Alabama

The Ceremony onboard USS Georgia

This group of cards is from the William Gerald Child Collection. If you look carefully it can be seen that Neptunes Court is the same as the group aboard the USS Wisconsin.

For each ship in it's turn Neptune arrived with his court and took command of the ship. Immediately thereafter it was demanded that all "pollywogs" were brought before him for proper initiation into the Domain of Neptunus Rex. Ceremonies usually started at first light and lasted most of the day with events certain to clean out the stomach and clear the sinuses of the participants.

Frank C Beran, Seaman,

USS Rhode Island

The Cruisers of 1908 were also having

their ceremonies, above

the USS California

Above our certificates from theRhode Island, Glacier, Missouri, Alabama, and West Virginia

On the morning of January 6th, 1908 the ceremonies commenced for the ships of the fleet. Everyone was included, Officers, newspaper reporters, and crew. The certificates above were issued on most of the ships. To the right is a card issued to Midshipman Todd, USS Maine. This was a "wallet card" and a full page certificate was also issued.

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