Photo #: NH 106196
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
Panoramic photograph of "King Neptune" and members
of his party, during Equator crossing ceremonies while the "Great
White Fleet" was on the first leg of its World cruise,
January 1908.
Note the sign held by the "Royal Dentist", in the right
center.
Donation of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 107KB; 1200 x 355
pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106195
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
"King Neptune" and members of his party, during Equator
crossing ceremonies while the "Great White Fleet" was
on its World cruise, probably in January 1908.
The original image is printed on post card ("PMO")
stock.
Donation of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 495 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 55341
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
"Crossing the Line" ceremonies on board the ship, as
she crosses the Equator during the first leg of the "Great
White Fleet"'s cruise from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
early January 1908.
Atlantic Fleet commander Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans and other
officers watch the festivities from the ship's superstructure
as a "Polywog" (foreground) is prepared for a dunking.
Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr., 1928.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 119KB; 540 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 55342
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
"Crossing the Line" ceremonies on board the ship, as
she crosses the Equator during the first leg of the "Great
White Fleet"'s cruise from the Atlantic to the Pacific,
early January 1908.
After being shaved by the Royal Barber, a "Polywog"
(foreground) is tipped into the dunking tank to be manhandled
by the Mermaid.
In the background, Atlantic Fleet commander Rear Admiral Robley
D. Evans and other officers watch the festivities from the ship's
superstructure.
Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, Jr., 1928.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 145KB; 540 x 590 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 41668
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
After receiving the attention of the "Royal Barber"
and other members of King Neptune's Court, a "Polywog"
is tipped into the dunking tank for further "processing"
as part of Equator crossing festivities during the cruise around
the World, early January 1908.
Atlantic Fleet commander Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans and other
officers watch from the ship's superstructure, in the left background.
Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, 1928.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 92KB; 740 x 475 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106197
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
Ducking a "polywog" during Equator crossing ceremonies
while the "Great White Fleet" was on the first leg
of its World cruise, 6 January 1908.
The original image is printed on post card ("PMO")
stock.
Donation of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 505 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 41647
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
"Polywogs" receive the attentions of "shellbacks"
in the dunking tank, as part of Equator crossing ceremonies during
the first leg of the cruise around the World, early January 1908.
In the left center, the "Royal Barber" prepares to
shave another "polywog", prior to dumping him into
the tank.
Photographed the ship's bridge.
Collection of Lieutenant Commander Richard Wainwright, 1928.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 430 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 106198
USS Connecticut (Battleship # 18)
The dunking tank, used for initiating "polywogs" during
Equator crossing ceremonies while the "Great White Fleet"
was on the first leg of its World cruise, 6 January 1908.
The original image is printed on post card ("PMO")
stock.
Donation of Mrs. Ruth Mayfield, 1973.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 64KB; 740 x 500 pixels</
TD> |
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Photo #: NH 69571
"Shellback" Certificate
Illustration and headline of a certificate issued to Harry Howard
after he crossed the Equator in USS Kansas (Battleship
# 21) in January 1908, during the first leg of the "Great
White Fleet" World cruise.
Howard provided the following text with this image: "On
the eve of January 4, 1908 another importent event occurred which
all sailors do not see often. A sort of stillness seemed to have
fallen over the sea - not a breath of air was stirring, and the
same phosphorescence waters seemed to radiate the heat stored
during the day from the sun's rays. Weird it seemed as streaks
of light here and there burst from the surface of the water as
a porpoise or dolphin darted across the bow of the ship. So quiet
and dark as we sped along through the night towards the Equator,
as we expected to cross it before morning. Shortly afterwards
I received from Neptune Rex, a message which read 'You, Harry
Howard, being a landlubber serving on board the USS Kansas
and daring to enter our Equatorial Region without due ceremony
- you are ordered to appear in person before His Majestic Court
of Neptune Rex on January the 5th to explain your conduct and
to accept most heartily the penalties of the awful torture that
will be inflicted upon you.
(Signed) Neptune Rex, Ruler of the Raging Main.'"
Courtesy of Harry Howard, 1969.
U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph.
Online Image: 188KB; 1200 x 615
pixels
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NOTE: The actual date of these festivities was 6 January,
not 5 January as indicated above in Howard's narrative. |
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