Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-03-25
"CrGssing the Line.''

0Iu5Rhnk BlC 1AAAAO.
A LETTER EXPLETIvE OF LIFE ON
BOARD MEN-OF-wAR. p.
TO The Editors efthe Independent re
Crossing the Line is an exper-
fence that one rarely forgets who
follows the sea for living, espe
cia!ly If the ship be commanded
by an officer that is fond Of practi-
cal jokes. Crossing the Line,'
means crossing the Equator, and
nobody has any right TO claim
that he is a true son of the sea un-
til no has crossed the Line and
been formally introduced to Nep-
tune. The following is an account
of the introduction of several as
piraats for sea henors, several
years ago, on board one of our
men, Of war. <.
We were sailing along with the
N. E. Trades making about eight
or nine knots per hours and expect
ed to cross the line about tive or
three o'clock in the afternoon-and
all the green landsmen, boys and
marines were in fever of excite
ment over the preparations they
saw going forward for the recep-
ton of King Neptune.
Several Of the ships glasses had
been fixed early in the morning
with fine wire or hair across the
front glass, for the accemmoda-
ton ofthose who did not believe
that there "really was any line -
and they could have been seen
early in the morning peering
through these glasses, looking for
the tline" with one glass they
could see it,and with another they
could not, but the general opinion
was that it was there if their eyes
were only strong enough to see it.
All the forenoon q party OF men
were diligently at work filling the
boom cover with water until they
had it about four feet deep. Two
Of the largest fire tubs were filled
with soap sHds, made good and
strong. Two new white wash
brushes were provided. a throne
for the accommodation of His Ma
jesty was erected on top of the
bOOms, a few feet back from the
pool of water in the boom cover.
The throne was made out of beef
barrels, was lined with bread bags
and draped with sea weeds. A few
small kedge anchors and coil or
two ofrope being placed in artistic
positions near. In front of this
throne and just on the edge of the
pool of water was placed stool for
the uninitiated to knsel on. The
fire tubs with white wash brushes
in them were placed on each side
of this stool. A huge razor had
also been provided, made from an
iron hoop of a pork barrel.
These preparations being all
completed about noon, all hands
were called on deck to receive His
Majesty, the King Of the Seas.
When all was quiet hoarse voice
seemingly just ahead of the ship
was heard, hailing Ship Ahey !!
Wbatship Is that ? The Captain
who was on deck directed the Of
ficer of the deck to answer that
it was the United States ship, and
to invite His Majesty on board,
which WAS done. In a few min
utes appeared over the knight
breads a figure, over six feet tall,
dressed in long white robe, into
| which pieces OF green seaWeed and
small flying fish were anxiously
! woven. His beard which was
long and white came down to his
waist (which was made of MANILA
rope yarns, leased out;) also had
sea weeds sticking TO it. In his
right hand he held his TRIDENT,
which consisted Of a boat hook,
with bayonets la he'd TO it for
prongs He was accompanied by
three nymphs, dressed in costumes
much like their master. These
august visitors solemnly marched
down the starboard gangway, and
! His Majesty took his seat on the
throne which had been provided.
The nymphs took their positions
one at each fire tub and one behind
the throne of His Majesty. The
one behind the throne held in his
arms large rag baby, the face OF
which was all covered with tar.
Preparations being now com
pleted Neptune called for a list oil
the ships company in order to as
certain who of those on board had
never entered his dominions be-
fore. Those of the officers who