Crossing the equator ceremony on board USS West Virginia (BB-48).

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Title Crossing the equator ceremony on board USS West Virginia (BB-48).
Photo Number P0258n1_05_09
Description Photo shows sailors aboard the U.S.S. West Virginia performing a "crossing the Equator" ceremony in the 1940s., location not identified.
Creator Reo Robbins
Date 1940; 1941; 1942; 1943; 1944; 1945; 1946; 1947; 1948; 1949
Textual Date 1940s
Keywords Military; Navy; Men; Ceremonies
Subject United States. Navy--Photographs; Sailors--United States--Photographs; Battleships--American--Photographs
Additional Information This is an ancient and time-honored maritime tradition, performed whenever a ship crosses the equator. Those who had not yet crossed the equator were called "pollywogs," while those who had done so previously were "shellbacks." During the ceremony those being initiated were forced to perform silly tasks, were doused with water, forced to crawl forward and kiss "King Neptune's" belly, and so on. Afterward, they were given a certificate as proof that they had enrolled in the "Order of Neptune."
Collection Number and Name P0258 Reo Robbins Photograph Collection
Collection Name Reo Robbins
Donated By/Purchased From Reo Robbins
Rights
Type Image
ARK ark:/87278/s6xp7qfz
Setname uum_map
ID 941270
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6xp7qfz
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