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The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite in some English-speaking countries that commemorates a person's first crossing of the Equator. [1] The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a "folly" sanctioned as a boost to morale, [2] or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long ...
A shellback or King Neptune reflects crossing the equator, and a golden dragon means a sailor has crossed the International Date Line (Domain of the Golden Dragon). [50] A golden shellback represents having crossed the equator and international date line at the same time. [59]
When crossing the Equator at the Prime Meridian (000*), (also known as the Greenwich) Meridian, one becomes an Emerald Shellback (Emerald=Green-wich). The term Royal Diamond Shellback is sometimes (incorrectly) used to denote this unique event. When crossing the Equator at the International Date Line (180°) one becomes a Golden Shellback.
The certificate is an unofficial award of the United States Navy and the United States Coast Guard. With the extensive Navy operations in the Far East since (and before) World War II, this passage has become so common that few initiation ceremonies are actually held. But the certificate, decorated with Chinese-style dragon, is still given out.
[citation needed] In addition to this award, her crew members also earned various U.S. Navy ceremonial certificates during this same deployment: "shellback" status for crossing the equator, the Order of the Ditch on two occasions for transiting the Panama Canal, the Domain of the Golden Dragon on two occasions for crossing the International ...
Sailors' superstitions are superstitions particular to sailors or mariners, and which traditionally have been common around the world. Some of these beliefs are popular superstitions, while others are better described as traditions, stories, folklore, tropes, myths, or legends.
Signature of Captain Willson on Ensign Bob Fay's shellback certificate for crossing the equator probably en route to Manus Island, August 28, 1945. After training exercises in the Philippines until 27 March 1945, Diphda sortied for the invasion of Okinawa, discharging her cargo in the transport area from 1 to 10 April.
Steaming south for rest and recreation, Benner crossed the equator – and observed the traditional "shellback" initiation rites – to visit Port Swettenham in Malaysia between 26 and 29 July. Rejoining TF 77 on 1 August, she participated in ASW Exercise "Swift Move" before steaming to Sasebo on the 7th.