According to Wikipedia: “The line-crossing ceremony is an initiation rite that commemorates a person’s first crossing of the Equator. The tradition may have originated with ceremonies when passing headlands, and become a “folly” sanctioned as a boost to morale, or have been created as a test for seasoned sailors to ensure their new shipmates were capable of handling long rough times at sea. Equator-crossing ceremonies, typically featuring King Neptune, are common in the navy and are also sometimes carried out for passengers’ entertainment on civilian ocean liners and cruise ships. They are also performed in the merchant navy and aboard sail training ships.”
Jean’s account of “Crossing the Line”:
“We had tremendous fun when King Neptune presided in his court for the crossing of the line ceremony. I was duly tried and punished – had cake stuffed into my mouth, was beaten with some black thing, plastered all over with soap suds then thrown in! (only the swimming pool!). Now I have my certificate.
We had a gala night last night – decorated dining room, special menu, evening dress, then dance with good supper and ice cream. There’s a dire shortage of men. About the only person I’ve danced with is a young Indian who is friendly with no, more particularly with a young English girl friend of mine. He’s returning home after completing civil engineering degree in Melbourne and learnt to dance in Melbourne, so does the same steps – not very good dancer but lots of fun.”
Excerpts from Jean’s letter to her sister Marj, dated 1st May.
