Return to Frequently
Asked Questions page. 
Return to Frequently
Asked Questions page. Related Resources: Crossing the Line, Plank Owner and Other Unofficial Certificates Acquired by Naval Personnel
Eyewitness Accounts
Earliest
Eyewitness Account by an English Sailor, 1708. [Woodes Rogers]
CAPT David Porter,
USN, on United States frigate Essex, 1812.
Midshipman William
W. Feltus, USN, on United States frigate Essex, 1812.
Richard Henry
Dana, Jr. on American merchant brig Pilgrim, 1834.
Chaplain Walter
Colton, USN, on United States frigate Congress, 1845.
George R. Willis,
a Sailor on frigate USS Colorado, 1870.
Earliest Eyewitness Account by an
English Sailor, 1708: Woodes Rogers, an English Privateer and
later the Governor of the Bahamas.
Sept. 25. This day, according to cuftom, we duck'd thofe that
had never pafs'd the Tropick before. The manner of doing it was
by a Rope thro a block from the Main-Yard, to hoift `em above
half way up to the Yard, and let `em fall at once into the Water;
havin ga Stick crofs thro their Legs, and well faftened to the
Rope, that they might not be furpriz'd and let go their hold.
This prov'd of great ufe to our frefh-water Sailors, to recover
the Colour of their Skins, which were grown very black and nafty.
Thofe that we duck'd after this manner three times, were about
60, and others that would not undergo it, chofe to pay half a
Crown Fine; the Money to be levy'd and fpent at a publick Meeting
of all the Ships Companys, when we return to England. The
Dutch Men, and some English Men, defir'd to be duck'd,
fome fix, others eight, ten, or twelve times, to have the better
Title for being treated when they come home.
Source: Rogers, Woodes. A Cruising Voyage Round the
World: First to South-Sea, Thence to the East-Indies, and Homewards
by the Cape of Good Hope. Begun in 1708, and Finish'd in 1711...
(London: Printed for Andrew Bell, and Bernard Lintot, 1718): 23-24..
CAPT David Porter, USN, on United
States frigate Essex, 23 Nov. 1812.
On the 23d, we were honoured by a visit from the god of the ocean,
accompanied by Amphitrite and a numerous retinue of imps, barbers,
&c. &c. in his usual style of visiting, and in the course
of the afternoon all the novices of the ship's company were initiated
into his mysteries. Neptune, however, and most of his suite, paid
their devotions so frequently to Bacchus, that before the ceremony
of christening was half gone through, their godships were unable
to stand; the business was therefore entrusted to the subordinate
agents, who performed both the shaving and washing with as little
regard to tenderness as his majesty would have done. On the whole,
however, they got through the business with less disorder and
more good humour than I expected; and although some were most
unmercifully scraped, the only satisfaction sought was that of
shaving others in their turn with new invented tortures.
Source: Porter, David. Journal of a Cruise Made to the
Pacific Ocean, by Captain David Porter, in the United States Frigate
Essex, in the Years 1812, 1813, and 1814. Containing Descriptions
of the Cape de Verde Islands, Coasts of Brazil, Patagonia, Chili,
and Peru, and of the Gallapagos Islands... (Philadelphis:
Bradford and Inskeep, 1815): 15.
Midshipman William W. Feltus, USN,
on United States frigate Essex, 23 Nov. 1812.
When the ship was supposed to be about on the line the man at
the mast head was directed to cry Sail OI & being asked by
the officer of the deck where away & what she looked like
he answered, a small boat on the Lee bow, then the officer of
the deck hailed and asked what boat that was, he answered that
it was Neptunes the god of the seas, & that he wished permission
to come on board with his train. as soon as it was granted one
of the B Mates with some others being in the fore chains, came
over the Bows and mounted their carriage (made of some boards
lashed together on an old gun carriage having two chairs lashed
there on for Neptune & his wife) this carriage was drawn by
4 men some with their shirts off & their Bodies painted &
others with their trowsers cut off above the knees & their
legs painted & their faces painted in this manner accompanied
by his Barbers with their razors made of an Iron hoop & constables
& Band of music they marched on the quarter deck where he
dismounted with his wife and spoke to the Captain for permission
to shave such as had not crossed the line before officers excepted,
provided they would pay with some rum, this was granted. they
immeadiately got into one of the boats filled with water with
all his barbers (those that had not been across the line before
were ordered below) and 1 was brought up at a time.
Source: Duley, William F. and Michael J. Crawford eds.
The Naval War of 1812: A Documentary History. Vol.1, 1812.
(Washington: Naval Historical Center, 1985): 625-26.
Richard Henry Dana Jr. on American
merchant brig Pilgrim, 1 Oct. 1834.
Wednesday, October Ist. Crossed the equator in lon. 24 24' W. I
now, for the first time, felt at liberty, according to the old
usage, to call myself a son of Neptune, and was very glad to be
able to claim the title without the disagreeable initiation which
so many have to go through. After once crossing the line, you
can never be subjected to the process, but are considered as a
son of Neptune, with full powers to play tricks upon others. This
ancient custom is now seldom allowed, unless there are passengers
on board, in which case there is always a good deal of sport.
Source: Dana, Richard Henry. Two Years Before the Mast:
A Personal Narrative by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. vol.1 (Boston:
Houghton Mifflin, 1911): 22-23.
Chaplain Walter Colton, USN, on United
States frigate Congress, 10 Dec. 1845.
Wednesday, Dec. 10. This morning, with our royals set to a steady
southeaster, we dashed along the equator at longitude thirty.
That great circle, cutting the continents, mountains, oceans,
and islands of the globe asunder, now threw its steep plane between
us and the thousand objects to which memory clings with affection
and pride. The sunset clouds on which we had gazed, the towering
crags where morn first broke, and the brilliant constellations
which faith had peopled with the spirits of the pure and meek,
all went down in dying pomp over the dim horizon. What now to
us Niagara's thunder, or the rush of the Alpine avalanche! Even
the polar star, that has poured its steady light for ages on the
ruins of pyramids, the wrecks of temples, and the graves of empires,
has left its watch-tower in darkness,--all are lost in the shoreless
ocean of night.
Old Neptune formerly saluted every ship that crossed the line.
He appeared in the shape of some tall sturdy tar, in ox-hide mail,
with a long beard of yarn falling far below his chin, and locks
of the same flowing in drenched ringlets down his shoulders. His
trident was a huge harpoon, his pipe the coiled hose of the fire-engine;
thus accoutred, he hailed the ship over her bows, and mounting
a gun-carriage, was drawn aft to the quarter-deck. Her he summoned
the green horns to his presence, and after lathering them from
a tub of grease and tar, shaved them with a ship's scraper. Having
thus introduced the novice into his service, he returned in triumph
to his watery realm. This ceremony was found such an infraction
of discipline, that it has been discontinued on board our national
ships. Our sailors were allowed to splice the main-brace as a
substitute.
Source: Colton, Walter. Deck and Port: Or, Incidents
of a Cruise in the United States Frigate Congress to California,
With Sketches of Rio Janeiro, Valparaiso, Lima, Honolulu, and
San Francisco. (New York: A.S. Barnes & Co.; Cincinnati:
H.W. Derby & Co., 1850): 72-73.
George R. Willis, a Sailor on U.S.
Frigate Colorado, 11 May 1870.
We were now making nearly a direct course toward the Equator,
and must soon pass through waters famed from time immemorial as
the cruising grounds of Neptune, Sovereign of the Seas-- the grandest
monarch that reigns in fact or fable. In the days of the old Navy
no Yankee ships passed the Line unchallenged, and Neptune's visit
was looked forward to with pleasure and anticipation; involving,
as it did, a general "splicing of the main-brace." But
in these hard, matter-of-fact-times, the old King having been,
on one or two occasions, denied tribute, rarely visits an American
man-of-war, and many were, therefore, agreeably surprised when
he boarded the Frigate in all his regal glory.
As we neared the Equator our Captain was heard to remark that
he should consider it rather scaly in old Neptune if he allowed
the ship to pass without paying us, at least a flying visit. On
hearing this hint some of the "old heads" set to work,
devising ways and means to promote his advent; and the necessary
costumes and fixtures were improvised on a grand scale, and with
remarkable secrecy.
On the afternoon of May 13th, while all hands were assembling
on the quarter-deck, listening to the periodical reading of the
Articles of War, the proceedings were suddenly interrupted by
the sounding of a gong under the fore-foot, followed by a loud
hail off the weather bow:
"Ship ahoy!"
"Hallo!" answered the officer of the deck.
"What ship is this?" demanded an uncouth marine monster,
now appearing on the head rails.
"United States frigate Colorado."
"King Neptune lies ten fathoms under your keel, and demands
that you heave to, and receive him with due courtesy; otherwise
he will butt out one of your planks with his royal head!"
This imperative demand, backed by such a terrible threat, was
reported to Captain Cooper, who, rather than allow the historic
career of the Colorado to be brought to a sudden and awful
termination, ordered the engines to be stopped, and asked the
Admiral for instructions.
The old hero of the South Atlantic squadron, who would have answered
any threat coming from a mortal foe with a broadside of our guns,
doubtless detected in the mandate, couched as it was in the tones
of arrogance, that dry vein of humor peculiar to a Sovereign,
who, however fractious and changeable in his moods toward others,
had dealt kindly with him through a long and checkered career;
therefore, he ordered that "His Majesty be received with
honors due his exalted rank."
On this, a signal from "Prince Porpoise" brought to
view as motley a group as ever the sea vomited forth.
Clad in the gaudy and fantastic trappings of a Submarine Court,
through the bridle and gun ports, over the head rails and hammock
nettings, up the martingale stays and over the cat-heads, they
wriggled, rolled or crawled; sometimes singly, sometimes in pairs,
finally in a body, until the Frigate's forecastle was graced by
the presence of a group of finny monsters, the like of which,
it is safe to say, was never before vouchsafed to mortal eyes.
Species of which Agassiz never dreamed, were represented, shorn
of their surplus fins and mounted on legs to meet the exigencies
of the occasion.
The Shark stood in the foreground, and was observed to cast longing
glances on the fattest of the ship's company; no doubt, mentally
cursing the restraints of a Court, which withheld him from satisfying
his appetite on the spot. Near him was the Devil Fish, who, by
a strange rolling of his saucer-like eyes, caused the most hardened
old sinners on board to tremble in their boots. Following in his
wake came the Sword Fish and "Prince of Whales," the
latter brandishing in his dexter fin a huge razor, to which, in
the minds of the younger portion of the crew, was attached a terrible
significance.
In the midst of this strange group rolled the Car of Neptune,
surmounted by a circular throne, and profusely ornamented with
barnacles and sea-weed. It was rich in trappings, and bore many
strange devices and mottoes. Near the throne was suspended a Chair
of State grazed by the form of Amazonia, a blonde mermaid of surpassing
beauty, who--since the divorce of Old Amphitrite- -figures as
the bride of Neptune. The Royal seat was vacant, but Amazonia
calmed our fears by explaining that Old Nep--who was suffering
from the effects of a bottle of "Jersey Lightning, lately
received as tribute from a Yankee schooner"--would soon be
here. She had hardly ceased ere a deep growl was heard near the
water's edge, and soon from beneath the fore-chains rose the only
monarch to whom an American sailor will bow.
His Oceanic Majesty was evidently in a bad humor; and the effect
of his late carousal was painfully visible in his person, the
dignity of his bearing being somewhat marred by soiled robes and
a bent crown. He had no sooner struck the deck than he commenced
swearing in a manner that would put to blush the wickedest old
quarter-gunner afloat. Among the old stagers, this was looked
upon as a matter of course, for, as Jack Tail-block remarked,
"he allers comes aboard roarin' like a typhoon and--if grog's
aplenty--goes away smilin' like a sun-fish."
Turning to the Executive Officer, Neptune demanded the nationality
of the ship.
"She belongs to the United States."
"What?" he roared, "an American ship with stump
mast-heads, French davits on her quarters, and a Bremen flag at
the mizzen? I'll not believe it! Her name?"
"The Colorado--and that, which you mistake for the
Bremen ensign, is the Broad Flag of Rear-Admiral John Rodgers,
Commander-in-Chief of the Asiatic Fleet."
"John Rodgers?" cried the King, "John Rodgers,
the hero of Warsaw Sound? By Jove! I would have gone ten degrees
to the north of the Equator to meet him. It has been many years
since I set these old eyes on him; and I began to fear that he
was swamped in the Sea of Politics. Heave ahead, my fine officer;
I would fain exchange greetings with your Commander."
The whole cortege then moved to the quarter-deck, where Neptune
ordered a halt and demanded the name of the Captain.
"Captain Cooper."
"Cooper?" queried the King, rubbing his eyes and glancing
at the Captain-- "ah, I remember him well; Cooper is a brave
name; a Cooper will surely keep the ship `bung up, and bilge free.'"
At this point the Royal Car was met by the Commanding Officer,
whose reception of the King was courtly and dignified. Bowing
to the throne he delivered in an easy and impressive manner the
following Address of Welcome:
"Most Generous Sovereign:--It is with feelings of
joy and veneration that I tender you the freedom of this magnificent
ship. Years, teeming with great events, have elapsed since I last
enjoyed the honor of a visit from Your Majesty; but though the
lapse of time may have silvered my hair, it has not shaken my
allegiance. I mourn with you the loss of those tapering poles
which in days of yore imparted to a Yankee man-of-war such a rakish
and jaunty appearance, and grieve to say they have been `snubbed
short' by a late edict of the Navy Department. Regarding the French
davits, I am not responsible for their adoption; and I assure
your Majesty that, with the general use of Manila ropes and patent
davits, it's getting devilish hard to lower a boat at sea. As
regards being `bung up,' I'm only sorry that I cannot treat yourself
and suite to a glass of good old-fashioned grog from the bungs
of some of our casks; but as Congress though proper, many years
ago, to abolish the spirit ration, I will give vent to my feelings
by commending to your kindly notice the gallant crew whom I have
the honor to command. And now, as I presume you wish to exact
tribute from those who are, for the first time, trespassing on
your domains, allow me to transfer to Your Majesty the entire
command of the Colorado."
To which, rising in the throne, Neptune replied as follows: "Noble
Captain, I accept your homage with that respect and confidence
which is never withheld from a loyal subject. Tis indeed true
that the hand of time has produced a change in your once familiar
figure-head, but I, to whom time and space are as nothing, having
kept a rough log of your earthly voyage, know that much of the
wear and tear of your hull is the result of hard and faithful
service in the interests of my lovely daughter Columbia."
At this stage one of the Admiral's servants appeared, bearing
a tray of glasses, flanked by a couple of decanters of choice
wine, the sight of which not only completely upset "Old Nep's"
dignity, but created a great commotion among his scaly satellites;
even the gentle Amazonia betraying a surprising appetite for stimulants.
After pledging the Admiral in an appropriate toast, Neptune resumed:
"I come, Captain, as you have rightly conjectured, to claim
just tribute from all who are known in my books as fresh fish;
but, as Columbia's sons are prone to resist the demands, and dispute
the authority of anything that wears a crown, it is fitting that
my warrant for so doing should be made public. Slave, produce,
and read the document!"
Porpoise drew forth a time-worn parchment, covered with strange
and uncouth hieroglyphics, which he proceeded to render in a tongue,
of course, unintelligible to mortals; taking care, however, to
supplement the reading with the information that it was "dead
low tide in the Royal wine cellar," and with this delicate
hint as to the kind of tribute expected from the officers of the
Colorado, the formality of the visit was declared ended,
and the Prince produced the "Book of Fate," and began
reading a list of victims. Printed papers of exemption were given
to the senior line officers, the remainder being subjected to
a merciless fire of cross questions by the King and Prince Porpoise,
and, in the cud, heavily assessed. Nothing could exceed their
good nature, and they submitted with such grace and paid tribute
so promptly, that Neptune was delighted, and swore by his old
boots that he had half a mind to take a few of them below to improve
the etiquette of his Court.
Having thus vindicated his majesty on the quarter-deck, the old
monarch now gave his attention to the crew, ordering the Prince
of Whales to rig the "Royal barber shop" forthwith.
With the assistance of the main-topmen, a large canvas awning
was inverted and filled with water by the steam pumps, and, a
rude chair being improvised, the scene from this time beggars
description. Landsmen, bandsmen, and marines joined in an indiscriminate
rush to the hatches, only to find all retreat in that direction
cut off by armed sentries, posted on every ladder! Then to the
shrouds, where they found the upper ratlines occupied by veterans,
who on a signal from Neptune captured and delivered them by scores
to the scaly embraces of his satellites. The Court Barber performed
his duties with a rapidity truly astonishing. Each victim was
lathered, shaved, shampooed, hair, whiskers and face dyed
in the twinkling of an eye. Some submitted meekly; some expostulated
wildly, and some fought courageously, but all were treated barber-ously!
From the chair, each was rolled backward into the "bath,"
to be grasped by a dozen strong fins, rubbed, scrubbed, and held
under water until a wave of the trident proclaimed him an adopted
son of Neptune.
The shades of night were fast closing on this strange scene, when
the watchful Pilot Fish reported a strange sail in sight "twenty
leagues to north'ard!" On hearing this, Neptune ordered the
festivities to close; and, mounting his car, bestowed a parting
benediction on the officers and crew of the Colorado, promising
us fair weather and a smooth sea for days to come.
Then arose a great cheer from the crew, and amid the roar of six
hundred voices, the Sovereign of All the Seas vanished into the
night as mysteriously as he came. His visit was remembered for
many a day, the old sailors agreeing that they had never seen
the grand fable so aptly illustrated.
Source: Willis, George R. The Story of Our Cruise in
the U.S. Frigate "Colorado," Flagship of the Asiatic
Fleet - 1870-'71-'72 (Yokohama, Japan?: 1873?): 24-32.