Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-03-18

In NTosSih9 the Equator o0me OF the queer
Ceremonies Observed When Neptune
Comes Aboard-They Vary of Course Ac-
cordinf to Circumstances and the Per-
sonncl of Participants. But Generally
Bring Out Grotesque Form of Humor.
BY FRANK NJ. KENNEY.
AS We crossed the Equator, on the
evening OF Dec. 10th, a voice, appar-
emily from the sea. called out What
ship is that p and the answer wen.
back The Cleveland" Soon there
came, apparently over the bow of the
ship, a huge figure representing Nep-
tune, who, at once, visited the cap
tain and after short conversation
told him he would return about two
O'Clock the following afternoon; then
thanking him for the courteous re-
ception he took his departure.
Early the next day preparations
could be seen in progress for the
proper reception of King Neptune
and his court. In the main they con-
sisted of the erection of a platform
with seating accommodations and
The placing of one of the swimming
tanks Immediately in front of it.
Wishing to obtain good place from
which to take pictures, as soon as
lunch was over wended my way to
the upper deck and got a good posi-
ton so far as the light was con-
cerned.
Although it was nearly an hour be-
fore the appointed time it was not
tedious wait; for about half past one
along came fisherman dressed in a
cOmical costume and carrying loaf
OF bread. bottle (bait p and a pole
and line of the regular kind. The
hook. however, was one of those used
for hanging up meat. He lost no
time in commencing action and soon
the line, baited with the loaf, was
dangling in the water of the tank.
Getting no results he, like some
other fisherman, had q nip from the
bottle and went back with new en-
ergy. Not being successful with the
bread for bait in succession he tried
his shoes and socks, ard as he was a
very good comedian the time passed
in watching his antics. He was sit
ting on a post when lady slipped up
behind and showed him into the
water. Later on, she attempted to
repeat the trick but was not success
full as he was watching, but while she
was endeavoring to get him in, one of
the men passengers, an acquaintance
OF hers. came up and tried to put her
in the tank. She was struggling to
prevent his doing SO, when the fisher
man took hand in the performance
and grabbed mister man and not
only dumped him in but ducked his
head under couple of times. You
should have heard the crowd yell.
Although the salt water is not good
for clothes nor the watch he wore, no
one felt sorry for him, especially as
he had been telling that his income
was SO great he could not spend all of
it.
A little later, the officers OF the ship
and Mr.. Clark. the conductor of the
party, took their places on the plat
form. Shortly afterward the sounds
of music were heard and soon the
ships band appeared. dressed fan
tastical.y. They were followed by
Neptune, his court and followers.
The latter consisted of a little of
everyt thing-from policemen and SOL
diers to natives. Each seemed to
have We'd with the other as to who
could get up the most outlandish cos
tune. The natives, for instance,
had anklets and bracelets made of
tin and wore clothes made of raveled
rope. The policemen decked them
selves out in raincoats with the
shoulders so marked as to give them
the appearance of an official charac-
ter. They wore large mustaches
made from hemp. Neptune and
some of his court were dressed in
flowing robes and immense wigs and
bore on their heads large homemade
golden crowns. Neptunes priest
was attired in manner befitting his
station, as he was supplied with an
outfit similar to that worn in the
days of the Pilgrims-a white wig,
black flowing gown with a large
white collar and last, but not least,
buckle shoes.
In turn speeches were made to the
Captain, First Officer, Chief Engi-
neer, Ships Doctors. Purser and Mr..
Clark, the manager of the tour, and
at the conclusion Of each address
medals were presented by Neptune.
A sextant and a set of field glasses
were brought along for the captain
so he could safely guide his ship, but
before presenting them to the cap
tain Mr.. Clark was requested to look
at the sky and see the quality of the
glass. He did so only to find the
glasses were filled with water and he