The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-12-26

FATHER NEPTUNE
may VISIT FLEET
ALL OF THE JACKS ON SHORE
ARE HAVING GOOD TIME
jusTsNoW.
PORT OF SPAIN. Trinidad, Dec.
2G.-Loaded ITO the gunwales" with
the roast turkey and other delicacies
served to them at the great Christmas
feast on board the American fleet now
In the harbor here, the tars OF Uncle
Sans navy are to-day seeking by
means OF violent exercise, TO prevent a
consequent attack of Indigestion. All
Of the Jacks on shore leave are taking
part in sports OF various sorts pro
ylded for them by the people OF Port
Of Spain, and several exciting games OF
football, baseball. cricket and polo are
In progress. Coal is being loaded
from the Golfers into the bunkers OF
the sixteen battleships and the auxil.
larry vessels. preparatory to the start
for Rio de Janeiro. This run will be
300 miles in length. the longest OF
the voyage. Leaving here Sunday,
the fleet Is expected to reach Rio on
January II. Shore leave will be grant.
ed to the men. amb tou3 ,OO0hrdlur
cd to the men, about 5000 at time.
While the officials OF the Brazilian
government and the city fathers and
influential citizens OF beautiful Rio
are preparing glorious reception for
the fleet. It is known that the officers
entertain fears that the bluejackets
may, in their enthusiasm to be enter.
talncd. create disturbances.
On the trip from this port to Rio
one Of the most interesting events OF
the cruise will take place. and the
older and more seasoned sailors are
already laying their plans for the high
links. From time immemoriat It has
been the custom to initiate sailors
who have never crossed the line. or
the equator, and more than half OF
the men on the feet are due to re.
ceive not Very gentle hazing when
the line Is reached on the trip south.
ward. TO Rio. Father Neptune. to the
number OF sixteen, will board each
battleshlp and take command. and then
the greenhorns will get what is com,
Ing to them. or course. the command
ing officers will be exempt from the
haZing programme, but they will have
to step lively when Neptune gives the
word. Those officers who have not
crossed the line will be allowed to
compromise by setting up the beer to
the crowd. II any officer should re.
fuse TO pay, he may be allowed to be
initiated. while the other officers, who
are content not to interfere with the
customs OF the sea, will obliginGly be
deaf and blind. Altogether. about TO-.
900 men are TO me lathered and shay,
ed by Father Neptune. who uses q
barrel hoop razor for the job.
All of the old.timers, who have
crossed the dine one or more times,
have their certificates OF initiation in
to the mysteries Of Father Neptune
safely filed with the paymaster's clerk
As for the rest, nothing can assis,
them. Every ship has on board q
full assortment OF paraphernalia fol
Neptune and Miss Amphirite and the
pages and courtiers aud all the res
of Neptune's court. b
When the "happy days"-a happ,
one for the ld.timers-arrives, Faith
er Neptune will conc over the how O.
each ship and take command. The
officers will turn 1t over to Neptune
who will uame captain and nut ;
qrartcrmastcr at the wheel. Miss Am
phitrlte and the rest OF the court vii
assist Neptune in the ceremonIc
which will follow. The neonhytes mr.,
caught and examined by the doctor
and are then dragged. naked, shivern,
and trembling. before Neptune's bar
Der, The lather used Is n mixture o
oil and grease and the razor is
barrel hoop. After the shaving prc
cess is completed, the victims will b
tossed into big tanks to wash. A
the water In the tank will be six fee
deep. the initiates will have to swim
out,