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Crossing The Line

Shell Backs, Polly wogs, Mermaids, Barbers, Bears, Take notice- This is the Grand and Most Illustrious Web Page, dedicated to all those who have had the temerity to cross by Royal Appointment - The Noble Border that divides the Northern Oceans from the Southern Seas. or By Royal Permission have crossed the Artic and Antartic Circles to thereby witness the Royal display of the Auroa Borialus.

The Royal scribes being very busy - constantly reworking and naming the approved certificates,that I by Ryal decree award to all those who have by my gracious permission, have undergone the time honoured ceromony of 'Crossing the Line'.
It is now time you dirty swabs, that you paid in real kind for such honours, by contributing to this page. Else by ye Royal Order, I will send Davy Jones after ye and oik ye back to stand once more before this ancient and noble court. Thereby to answer for that heinous crime of not caring for your fellow mariners..

By Royal Order and NO OGGLING THE PORTRAIT OF ME DAUGHTER who keeps me company with her lyre.

Neptunus Rex - aka (on a good day - when the buffer is in a good mood Poseidon)

 

Can You Help - If you have any idea of the slogans, chants, short songs or poetry assosiated wihthis ceromony - Please send it in.

This ceromony is centuries old. BUT What Was the Earliest Crossing the Line Certificate Awarded?

It would be appreciated if you could add

• Ships Name
• Date
• Perhaps a scan of the certificate awarded on that occasion. etc.

...o 0 o ...

RECIPE

For one Pussers
CROSSING THE LINE Ceremony
For the use of

1. At the prescribed time an almighty unearthly sound is heard and Neptune's Secretary or Herald, confronts the captain of the vessel, demanding that all unannointed lubbers be brough before him on the following afternoon, when all persons aboard ship, not in the immediate possesion of important duties should be present to witness the cermony.

2. A large bath of saltwater is constructed with appropriae seating for the Royal assemlage and a service area in which the Royal Bears and Barbers will conduct their work.

3. Suitable certificates to be provided to the Captain of the ship by Neptunes court, so that the names of all lubbers are duly entered and the time and date marked thereon. These certificates to be kept by the annointed scoundrals abard the ship in case they cross the line on the way back and on other occasions, that they can prove previous assosiation.

4. On the afternoon of the following day, the ships company to muster to witness the royal prosesion coming aboard.

1. Their number will include - King Neptune and his glorious wife and if possible to arrve by golden chariot or boat.
2. The Herald
3. Doctors and associated assistants and royal personages as befits the importance of such a vessel as requests passage across the Line.
4. Barbers
5. Police
6. Bears

5. After the usual solicitations and greetings, the police and bears will round up all those as to be annointed.

6. Each lubber to be presented to Neptune or respective members of the court, to have his crimes detailed and his punishment set.

7. All punishments to include shaving in vile non-toxic foam and ducking from seat into the large pool.

8. The bears are to advise the court on the respective puishments by chanting rhymes as follows.

Shave him and Bash him,
Duck him and Splash him,
Torture him and Smash him,
And Dont let him go.

9. No dallying or fraternising with the mermaids.

10. Bountious supplies of good humour and cheer.

Do you know of anymore traditional rhymes
If so please send them in.