December 2- Crossing the Equator

Crossing the equator in the old days of sailing was certainly an occasion for

ceremony and thanksgiving, for a ship might lie for weeks in the doldrums (where there was no wind), and terrible things could happen “under the line” from shortage of water and fresh foods. The earliest mention of a baptismal or initiation ceremony dates from 1529, though similar ceremonies are believed to have been customary in European waters before this time, being performed at such distinctive places as the Straits of Gibraltar and the Arctic Circle.

Here is a description from today’s passages about a ceremony aboard an English ship in 1784:” At noon the arrival of  King Neptune is announced; the marine deity is present as a sailor bearing in his hand the trident, and seated in a car, which is

no other than a water tub, drawn by his companions in the character of Tritons.

On approaching the Captain of the vessel, Neptune demands the object of his voyage, and receives the customary tribute for those who have not crossed the libe and choose to evade the ceremony of ducking and shaving. Meanwhile the intended victims, including such as have not attained their freedom from Neptune, are confirmed between the decks, from whence they are one by one dragged to execution. A large grog-tub, filled with salt water, is placed on one of the gangways, and over it is laid a plank, on which the novice is seated, whilst the barber besmears his face with a composition of tar and grease, and then scrapes it with part of an iron hoop instead of a razor. On the signal being given the plank is withdrawn , when the unfortunate wretch is immersed in water; from which he is not suffered to escape till he is menaced with suffocation.”

King Neptune boarded Seven Seas Mariner about 11:00 for this time honored sea-faring tradition! All SHELLBACKS- which we are- who have crossed the Equator by sea and POLLYWOGS, those who have not were asked to come pay our respects to the “Master of the Deep.” We watched as the “accused” were brought before King Neptune and his court for the traditional initiation ceremony. The ceremony was accompanied by lively music and much laughter.

Paula Smith today talked about the voyages of Thor Heyerdahl and his exploits in the South Pacific.

We saw his ships/rafts the Kon Tiki, the Rah and the Rah II years ago in a museum in Oslo, Norway. One voyage from Peru to Polynesia and the other was Egypt to Barbados. The Kon Tiki was a balsa raft and the Rah was made of reeds. He was replicating what ancient sailors had done.

The balcony is lovely today. The sun is not so hot and the breeze delightful. Ahmed once again did the never-ending task of washing the balcony. The railing, the floor and the furniture was crusted in large salt crystals. There are some birds following our ship this morning so I guess we must be getting fairly close to land. Still can’t imagine having the courage to sail like Thor Heyerdahl, James Cooke or William Bligh….or any of the long ago adventurers. We definitely prefer being on this beautiful modern vessel.