Evening star., 1901-06-08
RECEIVED OLD NEPTUNE
HE BOARDED FLAGSHIP BROOkLlN
As SHE CROSSED EQUATOR.
Took Command and Initiated NOvices
Fast and Furious Fun in
Mid-Ocean.

Miss NJ Louise Grunwell of 1915 Both
street northwest has received interest
ing letter from Assistant Surgeon A. 6.
Grunwell. Il. s y. written aboard the flag
ship Brooklyn. April IA. while that vessel
was in the Molucca sea 1t describes
ceremony of which many have heard with
fidelity that will prove entertaining.
To-day there have been great doings,"
writes Dr. Grunweil, for We crossed the
equator a few hours ago and had visit
from old Neptune and his court. who pro-
ceeded to make deep water sailors of the
uninitiated. Last right at six bells q
pm.) his matesty's secretary hailed the
ship and gave due notice. About that time
the ship was sailing along peacefully. when
suddenly green rocket, followed by red
one. shot up from under the bows ana
stentoria1 voice hailed: Ship ahoy. What
ship is that? The officer of the deck an
swe-ed: The United States Brooklyn, nag
ship of Admiral Remey, commander-ln-
chief of the United States forces on the
Asiatic station Then came the questions:
Where are you pound and from where 40
YOU hail?' This was answered: From Ma
nfla to sydney Then: Have You any YER
dant marines on board?' Answer: Yes:
MANY All right; heave to: have mail
for you Then came clambertng over the
bows. dressed in his robes of state, Nep-
tunes secretary. who gave a formal notice
to the crew of his maJesty's intended visit
and delivered a package of subpoenas for
the officers.
His Majesty Comes Aboard.
after delivering his messages Neptune's
secretary again went over the side, ana
we could see his light bobbing up and down
away astern. The light consisted of some
calcium powder IN soap box Promptly
at nm. today the ship was again hailed.
Is that the Brooklyn?' Answered from
the bridge: Yes 'Heave to for his ma1es-
ty' Then came Neptune and his court
M over the bows amid great cheering from
the initiated and anxious but curious LOOKS
from the uninformed-
CompIimented Admiral Remey.
"a procession was formed which started
aft TO the quarter deck. where Neptune, an
old boatswain's mate. was received by the
admiral and the captains. His majesty
greeted the admiral and cOmplimented MIN
on his fine ship, his handsome officers ana
Iusty crew. Then presenting Amphitrite to
the admiral. Neptune turned to the cap
tain asking him if there was much 1or
him to do. The captain replied that many
of his children had never been across the
line and he would gladly give them into
Neptune's hands. in order that he might
make of them seamen bold The process
sion started forward again. amid the
shouts of the crew and the music Of the
band and upon reaching the bridge his
majesty went up on it and called for the
officer Of the deck.
Takes Command of the Ship.
"-To him Neptpne said: I will take COM
mand. sir Then he ordered: Light the
smoking lamp. release the prisoners, pipe
tn officers and crew forward and rig my
cCurt
His commands were all promptly obeyed
ard a big canvas tank holding about four
fe-t Of water. was soon rugged HIS
majesty took his stand at the head OF the
tank. with his court clustered around nln'
ard proceeded TO examine the ships COM
pauy the secretary reading the names and
the messenger calling them through
meEaphone or trumpet. The admiral was
the first one 10 face the court. but he had
satisfactory proof OF having been through
the ceremony before. so Neptune invited
him to stay and witness the ceremony.
IAN the other officers were called in or
der of rank and those who had not been
through the ordeal, OF whom l was one,
were given the alternative of being inl-
tiated or paying the forfeit, for Neptunes
court like all other courts. has to raise
funds for its subsistence. In this case.
however. the tribute is paid in beer and
cigars. and ii Is needless to say that all
the officers chose TO pay the tribute, which
was collected after the ceremony. With
the sailors it was different no option being
allowed them, all having to take the inl-
tiatiOn-
Invitations of InnOcents.
After finishing up the officers the secre-
poor victim appeared before the court amid
the yells and teers of his shipmates, and
his case was soon settled. First, he was
seated in the BARRIERS chair at the head Of
the tank and was asked some questions by
the commander. Upon opening his mouth
to reply he found it suddenly stuffed full
of mixture of flour, beans and salt. The
BARRIERS clerk then proceeded to lather
him all over the face. head and back Of the
neck. with a mixture Of molasses, flour,
VIZ t1ora
shaved him with a wooden razor and
showed him headlong into the tank, where
the fish In attendance proceeded to duck
him under and play hose on him until
he made his escape up the Jacobs ladder
at the far end of the tank
TT was remarkable to note the wonder
full agility displayed by some OF the stouter
members of the crew In getting up that
ladder. There were over 80 put through
the Initiation. including the Chinese ser
wants. for there is no escape from Nep-
tune. These last seemed TO believe that 1t
was a real celebration in honor Of the
white mans sea god. Now and again some
novice would show fight. but he would get
such a tremendous scrubbng that those
similarly disposed soon saw that discretion
was the better part Of valor. Certain of
them tried to escape by hiding. but they
were all sooner or later hunted out by the
plot and borne struggling and squirming
Into the royal presence.
The procession was unspeakabIy funny
and the whole thing was splendidly gotten
up. O.d Neptune and some of his follow
ers looked very grotesque in the rope yard
boards and sail cloth trappings. There was
10 one hurt. and II was altogether the jol-
lest day have ever seen on the ship.
All who went through OF paid the for
felt received diplomas, which are very ar
tisttcally gotten up, with Latin phrases
here and there, sand Neptune's great seal.
They will be heirloOms well worth retain
Ing"
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOwN.