Crossing the Line ceremony
crew of British Trader prepare for the ceremony
1 December 2008
Deck Cadet Finnian McFadden recounts his experience
The Crossing of the Line Ceremony is an initiation which commemorates a sailor’s first crossing of the Equator.
Although once known to be quite brutal, nowadays it is a fun experience where the sailors who have crossed the line before hold a party to initiate those crossing it for the first time. But first you have to satisfy King Neptune by enduring a series of tests. This is my story …..
Although the ship crossed the equator early on Tuesday morning, the party was planned for Saturday, giving the guys time to prepare their costumes and other bits and pieces. This went on all week with the 3rd engineer in particular making policeman outfits and such during break times.
At first I was under the impression that it would be only myself crossing the line for the first time but as the week went on a total of six were rounded up as the ‘lucky’ ones.
a dousing with icy water!
Finally Saturday arrived and the fun would soon begin. That morning I was given the job of decorating the pool area (where the party would be held) with the code flags from the bridge. Most of the ship had the afternoon off after lunch and this was when they began mixing up the concoctions for us.
At 1500hrs Adam, the Judge (Chief Officer) made his announcement on the public address system warning all guilty persons (first time crossers of the line) to run and hide because the police would be searching for us soon. Earlier that morning, I had found my hiding place on the bridge in one of the cupboards so as soon as Adam left I went and hid. I survived the first search party but after about 40minutes they found me.
As we were each found we were taken down to the pool area, tied to chairs and sprayed down with water.
time for Neptune's medicine!
As I could of guessed, I was the first to be pulled out into the middle of the deck for the Judge to read out the list of charges against me - the last of which, as with everyone, was crossing the equator for the first time without the permission of King Neptune (chief engineer). Next, the judge went through my punishments the first of which was to drink my “medicine” which was administered by the Doctor (second engineer). I found this very ironic considering it was much more likely to make you sick as opposed to cure anything! Although not sure exactly what it consisted of, it was very spicy and really sickening.
Once over and done with, it was time for my new hair cut which thanks to the Barber (Bosun) was several bald patches all over my head. Then came the kissing of the rotten old fish which had been left to go all slimy somewhere warm for a few days. For me, this was the worst part of the whole thing and something I’m really glad is in the past.
The final punishment was the slops – a mixture of all the old leftovers from the galley blended to a soup which was then thrown all over me.
It was awful, the smell was really disgusting and on top of that I had to sit and cook in the sun with it all over me while the other five guys had their turn.
They all got the same treatment as myself except that the charges varied from person to person and some haircuts were even crazier.
Once all were done, we were lined up against the bulkhead and any final slops poured over us. We were then released and all jumped in the pool to clean off.
Finally we were given our reward of laminated Crossing the Line certificates by Neptune himself and, after a long shower, met up in the bar for a few drinks and a buffet dinner.
Although a lot of fun, I’m very glad to have the experience behind me and I can’t wait until my turn comes to take part in someone else’s Crossing the Line party.