ABOARD THE U.S.S. PAUL JONES
WITH KING NEPTUNE
Yost, of the "U.S.S. Paul Jones", warning that the ship is about to cross the equator and enter the domain of Neptunus Rex (King Neptune).
THE
U.S.S. PAUL JONES
THE
SUMMONS FROM KING NEPTUNE
KING
NEPTUNE'S ROYAL COURT
One of the Royal Navy traditions that has been passed on to the United States, Australian, New Zealand, and Canadian navies is the King Neptune ceremony, which is held when a ship crosses the equator with crew members that have never crossed it before. During this initiation ceremony, which not even the ship's officers are exempt from, sailors who never crossed the equator before are summoned to King Neptune's Royal Court, to undergo a trial for offensives to the god of the sea. These uninitiated sailors are said to be slimy "Pollywogs" and on completion of their sentences or initiation rites, which might involve a Royal Bath in oily water or a bad haircut from the Royal Barber, they become worthy "Shellbacks". King Neptune's Royal Court usually includes his wife, Her Highness Amphitrite, the Royal Baby, the Royal Police, who make sure that the Pollywogs answer the summonses from King Neptune, and his assistant, Davy Jones, among others, all of whom are played by the ship's crew members.
These photos show the King Neptune ceremony that was held aboard the United States Navy destroyer U.S.S. Paul Jones (DD-230), when it crossed the equator in November 1936, during its Asiatic tour. The ship was built from December 23, 1919 to September 30, 1920 and was commissioned on April 19, 1921. It received two battle stars for its service during World War II, was decommissioned on November 5, 1945, and was scrapped in April 1948.
The U.S.S. Paul Jones was the third United States Navy ship to be named after American War of Independence hero Commodore John Paul Jones, who refused to surrender his ship, the Bon Homme Richard (Good Man Richard), on September 23, 1779, when requested to do so by the commander of the British frigate H.M.S. Serapis, Captain Richard Pearson, telling him that "I have not yet begun to fight!" He and his crew fought on and finally forced the British ship to strike its colors, after a battle that lasted over three hours, with both ships lashed together.
DD-230
USS PAUL JONES
SHIP'S
HISTORY (DD-230)
USS JOHN PAUL JONES ASSOCIATION
These photos show Lieutenant Butler, acting as the Royal Herald, reading the summons from King Neptune. The sailors who never crossed the equator before are called "Pollywogs" and are given summons, the day before, to appear before his court. |
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Butler looking for the equator. The hat on the sailor on the right is marked "Bridge". |
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The flag of His Majesty, King Neptune. When the ceremony is held, the ship's flag is hauled down and a pirate flag is raised. |
A sailor on his way to King Neptune's Royal Court. |
Lieutenant William Truesdell at trial. Sailors that complete their sentence become "Shellbacks" and in the United States Navy this accomplishment is entered into their official record. Lieutenant Truesdell entered the United States Naval Academy in 1921, became a Lieutenant on June 30, 1935, and later became a Captain, in 1947. |
A Pirate in King Neptune's Royal Court. |
The Court of King Neptune. The Royal Baby, who is holding a fan marked "The Royal Baby Fan", is seated in the middle and Pollywogs that come before the Royal Judge, at trial, would be expected to kiss the belly of the Royal Baby. |
Part of King Neptune's Family at the Royal Court. |
POLLYWOG
TO SHELLBACK
NEPTUNE,
GOD OF THE DEEP
PAYING
HOMAGE TO KING NEPTUNE
CROSSING
THE LINE
USS BUSH (DD 529)
"CROSSING THE LINE"
ROSTER
OF THE CREW OF THE USS AUGUSTA 23 NOVEMBER, 1936
ROYAL
NEW ZEALAND NAVY WEB SITE
