Navy pollwog to shellback ceremony from film in 1950s

A Navy seaman is considered a slimy Pollywog (one who hasn’t crossed the equator) until he has crossed the equator then he becomes a trusty Shellback. This film documents the activities that was done to commemorate the event. We transferred this 8mm film for a client and gave him High definition digital files. Note the appearance of King Neptune, his court and the royal baby whose stomach they have to kiss. It concludes with them taking a royal bath in a pool of sea water.

[walterrichmond]

Brings back memories! I became a Shellback aboard the USS America CV 66 heading to South America in 1977 when it was still a real ordeal. I understand that today they are much more “gentle”, too bad as this has been the traditional initiation for hundreds of years. Thanks for posting!

[wfwillis]

I became a Shellback in April 1968 on the USS Bexar APA-237, when it was a real initiation. All of us new Shellbacks were easily identified on liberty in Singapore as we all had shaved heads. CWO4 USN Ret.

[JalopyTechnology]

My Dad often mentioned these initiations while on board ship WWII...

[elroyfudge]

thanks for posting, , lots of fun we had....

[WalterHKoopmannJr]

I went across in November 1966 on a DE and it was more fun than this as we got up at midnight an it didn't end until 1 PM while in the South pacific. They had us watered down to prevent heat stroke and sunburn while crawling across he deck to the initiation itself on the fantail. Back then they cut a cross on top of your head and if you had a beard or mustache half would be gone. The corpsman gave us plenty of pills to prevent any side affects as we were safe. We wore our cloths inside out and when all was over, you tossed them overboard as they were no good anymore. We flew the Jolly Roger that day and any other ship that might pass by just kept on moving even faster as they didn't know who or what we were. Any officer on that DE had to play radar an make beeping sounds NO matter what his rank was an got the same treatment we got. IT WAS ALL IN FUN AN TRADITION - NO HATRED. Today it's a baby act because o all the MOMMY BOYS and Girls don't like being told what to do. Totally I went across 5 times but never was part of the initiation crew as I was not ships company.

[carlpace]

I will never forget that I went through that on the USS Caloosahstchee AO-98.. th worst part was going through that shoot tunnel it was filled with months of food and other people

[MrGPMcMahon]

BY THE TIME I CROSSED THE "LINE" IN 71, THE ROYAL BARBER WAS ONLY GIVING SHAMPOOS OF ELEVATOR GREASE... USS ORISKANY CVA-34

[richj]

I don't know if the Navy gives out large certificates to those that now undergo the hazing of the Shellback ceremony or not. I have just taken my grandfathers certificate to have it reframed. He crossed the equator on the USS Tennessee at 41 : 27 : 0 W on March 22nd, 1916. (The Tennessee was renamed the Memphis later to make room for the latest battleship design later that year.) My grandfather had this large certificate on his living room wall in a display of pride. So, in spite of the hazing he was proud of the accomplishment of becoming a Shellback. I was in the Navy, but never crossed the equator. Also, the story my grandfather told me about the experience said that were I to have been on board a ship when crossing the equator, I would have opted out. Had I not been given that option, there would have been payback, one on one later.

[deantrainr]

Shellback WesPac 84 BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3).👍🏻

[edsilva]

Don't forget to kiss King Neptunes' baby

[hawghawg]

Before mothers of America.. hazing was fucking awsome!

[stellaelectric]

Check with the person who provided this, no way it is before 1960- the SH-3's on deck were not introduced to the fleet till 1961

[donearl]

did my in 78 aboard the "Hunley"🥳🥳

[jeffhess]

What ship?

I first crossed the line on the USS Bainbridge CGN25 in 1977 and a second time in 1978. I still have my "Mighty Wog" t-shirt from the 1st and my shillelagh from the 2nd My certificate still hangs on my office wall.

[SK-ly]

Navy not doing this anymore because of cry baby, I want my Mommy, Millennials. Cannot even do what they use to do in Boot camp. Recruits can now hold up a time out card, then call Mommy and say my Company Commander is calling me names and tried to make me do pushups in front of everybody, I cannot believe they tried to do that to me. Mom can you please make sure that all of my medications for Depression, ADHD, Bipolar are being filled, I need those because I cannot handle being yelled at and told what to do, he called me a slim bucket and now I feel like killing myself.

[stevegreen]

If I didnt know any better I'd swear that was back in the 80s.
When I finished I had so much bearing grease and crap in my hair that I went straight to my berthing and cut all of my hair off. I knew guys who washed their hair for days and had a hard time getting it out. 🤣

[TomSeliman]

They made it way too soft now. Crossed in 2012 and it was a joke conpared to this.

[johnmoorhousedecorated-nam]

Must be much tamer with many women involved?

[petephelan]

I went through it but I never wanted to be the guys doing it. I'm just not into hazing. It's a totally illegal court martial offense since the 90's. I've seen an entire division go to captains mast for hazing.

[jrsmuse]

Awesome gay pride parade boys. Shellback and Dine in.