A friend of mine claims to be a shellback. He was never in the navy or the military. He flew down to Ecuador and took a tour boat out to do some sightseeing on the islands. The tour boat crossed the equator and gave all the passengers a certificate to this effect. He did not go through any kind of initiation or humilation. I consider this a disgrace and my friend to be a MISERABLE PUDKNOCKER.

You pretty well covered it with your comments about your friend. Hit the nail on the head so to speak..

Funny, I thought you had to be assigned to the crew of a vessel crossing the line to be a Shellback. Passengers did not count.

A real "Shellback" is a crustacean such as a crab, shrimp, lobster, snail, crayfish and so on....oh wait.

You meant the crossing the Equator type didn't you? I'm sorry, but having had my tookus whacked with a wog paddle, and even portraying the "sea baby" I'd have to say that if you don't go through the "rite of passage" then you ain't a shellback. If I were you I'd wipe my tookus with that piece of paper to show him just what it's worth.

Guys, many years ago cruise ships and passenger liners did hold "Shell Back, Crossing the Equator ceremonies." But think a minute as the attitudes of people to sue over every little thing, or humilation, the steam ship companies were forced to stop doing it.
His certificate falls into the same category of guys flying over the Equator and getting a certificate. As I remember right those were NOT honored either. I remember reading a few years back that some body of officials connected with the bounding main ruled those sort of certificates to be NULL and Void. You have to be assigned to a ship and appear before the King to get that designation of "Trusted Shellback."
Your friend for all his bluster and certificate is STILL "a SLIMY POLYWOG."

I agree with the general consensus, your friend is NO Shellback.

Personally I believe you must be ASSIGNED to a crew in order to get the Shellback and go through ALL necessary initiations. When we crossed in 97, you didn't have to go through initiation, but you also didn't receive a certificate either.

Paying a tour boat to obtain a Shellback certificate makes one a low Polywog, and even a more dirty and slimy, greasy, no good wog who should go through initiation twice to even get the chance to BEG the Royal Court for acceptance as a highly respected Shellback.

I crossed several times as a kid, and several times while I was in the Navy. The one that really counted was the first time, in the Navy! It was quite a few years back, and we did all the stuff you hear about...the garbage chute, fire hose paddles, kissing bellies, shaving heads, fire hose wash downs, and other assorted torments. BUT that was the time that really counted, and I still have my card, and certificate to prove it.
From what I hear, and saw on "Carrier", in recent years the "ceremony" has been toned down a lot. I think that is too bad. "Back then" there was lots of gross stuff, but no one was injured or degraded more than anyone else, and we were proud to have been through it.

A Shellback!

I think this web site was posted on here some years ago, but we did most but not all of these.

Use the link below.

Warning. before watching, make sure you have not just eaten! Especially stew, or hot dogs or things like that.

BON APETITE!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TinkFixer,

The post above has the wrong link. Try this.

Link no longer works...sorry.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TinkFixer,

You do not have to be assigned to the ship just go through the initiation. The first time I crossed we had civilian observers on from NOAA that went through the initiation all the way through including getting their butts beaten to a pulp and they got their certificate.

Also, sailors that refused to go through the "hazing" did not get a certificate. They crossed the equator the same as the rest of us but choose to sit out rather than endure so they remained pollywogs!

AAAARRRRRR Tink. I am feeling salty just looking at those pictures. Of course on a Submarine things are a little different due to the lack of space. Still just as disgusting and worth it.

From my Coral Sea website; Video and pictures of the sacred ceremony:

http://www.usscoralsea.net/pages/shellback.html

We had a crew of 84 when I became a Shellback. I don't remember how many were in the royal court (but I do remember the big, fat, greasy royal baby belly I had to kiss). When we pulled into Singapore, we had 83 Shellbacks. One slimy pollywog refused to participate.

We all crossed the equator -- not all became Shellbacks. Just crossing does not make one a Shellback.

quote:

Originally posted by TinkFixer:
I crossed several times as a kid, and several times while I was in the Navy. The one that really counted was the first time, in the Navy! It was quite a few years back, and we did all the stuff you hear about...the garbage chute, fire hose paddles, kissing bellies, shaving heads, fire hose wash downs, and other assorted torments. BUT that was the time that really counted, and I still have my card, and certificate to prove it.
From what I hear, and saw on "Carrier", in recent years the "ceremony" has been toned down a lot. I think that is too bad. "Back then" there was lots of gross stuff, but no one was injured or degraded more than anyone else, and we were proud to have been through it.

A Shellback!

Though I freely admit to being a slimy wog, from what I've heard from many a noble shellback is that the ceremony and its intensity will vary from CO to CO and what he or she is willing to see. I hope when I get to go through it will be intense and gross and all that, though I do understand the ORM that needs to be done, as you said, to minimize the chances that people get injured or degraded. Obviously, such an evolution presents that risk, but hopefully I will go through it under a CO that can manage that risk without killing tradition.

Great input on this subject from all who are honored Shellbacks…. If you have not looked at it check out my posting here:

http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/7010097960001/m/1650032791001

Great pictures of how it was done in the early 50s… It’s worth a look… Talk about industrial strength hazing!!

My favorite one if where the pollywog is being dumped backwards into a deep high built tank the size of a milvan… My second favorite is where two pollywogs are locked into a set of stocks.. Check it out…

And yes, I hate to admit it, but unfortunately after all these years, I’m still just a lowly and despicable “pollywog”

This message has been edited. Last edited by: IC2SS19Z50C5,

quote:

Originally posted by TinkFixer:
From what I hear, and saw on "Carrier", in recent years the "ceremony" has been toned down a lot. I think that is too bad. "Back then" there was lots of gross stuff, but no one was injured or degraded more than anyone else, and we were proud to have been through it.

A Shellback!

Just a difference between platforms. Also remember "Carrier" was going to be televised. The crossing the line on the Reagan was similar to "Carrier" as well, when they were on Discovery Channel. Bigger ships just seem to be more PC and watered down. As I stated before, when I went we were in the "watered down" Navy and you didn't have to go through, but on a small ship we did a lot of stuff like how it was in days of old. The pics my dad had when he was in and mine are quite similar. (same with the stories)

quote:

Originally posted by Echofixer:
From my Coral Sea website; Video and pictures of the sacred ceremony:

http://www.usscoralsea.net/pages/shellback.html

close to my ceremony , after xmas '70, near singapore on the wainwright, 'cept these were 'lovetaps' compared to the raw red butts we got...

Hey Chief, those are great pictures... glad the link includes the high speed low drag certificates and wallet cards...
I have a great story as told by one of my Skimmer shipmates when he crossed the equator on a Unitas X Cruise in 70... It is about a revolt of the pollywogs.... I’ll get him to e-mail it to me and I’ll post it here later.

Oh, man... that brought back some deeply suppressed memories. Ahgh... kissing the belly... truth serum... the garbage... AAAARRrrhrhrhrhh...

bastages.

Are there replacement certificates available for those who need them?

What if a vet lost theirs?

I have a thread here that might be helpful for a replacement:

http://usscoralsea.net/smf/index.php?topic=8.0

Thanks, I passed that info to a former Aviation BM friend of mine.

They are shellbacks, no matter how you do it as long as you cross the equator you're a shellback.

quote:

Originally posted by Forum_Cop:
They are shellbacks, no matter how you do it as long as you cross the equator you're a shellback.

yeah, right...
where did you cross ?...lansing michigan...

quote:

Originally posted by hockeybear:

yeah, right...
where did you cross ?...lansing michigan...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!.... That's Priceless Chief, good for you!!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

oooo burn...

You're not a REAL Shellback unless you have gone through the initiation (whatever form that is today.) Shellback: Lat. 172.04.1E, 18 July 1996, USS PAUL HAMILTON DDG60, Plankowner. ARRGGHHHHHHH. "Suez Safari" 8 Aug 1990/24 Aug 1990 (USS Dwight D Eisenhower, CVN69) "Order of the Ditch", DDG60

Jer_Pil

quote:

You're not a REAL Shellback unless you have gone through the initiation

Roger that!!!!

IF Forum_Cop is not a TROLL he's missing a good chance at it.. Its for damn sure he talks like a SlimeyA** Wog

If I go underway as a "sand crab' Navy Civilian, I hope to become a shellback....

I'm all about it.

Forum_Cop, I do believe, sir, you, are wrong! I,in all my 20 years active duty, never saw anyone who didn't cross the equator on a ship have their claim validated. It also seems to be the consenus of the majority on this thread also. They are a pretty salty bunch, too, if I might add.

Throw all slimey wogs (trolls) into the sea! Arrghhhh me mateys!!! Don't talk the talk unless you can walk the walk.

I crossed the equator North to South in an AirForce Cargo Plane enroute to Diego Garcia and
South to North on the USS Walbash to get to the USS Kitty Hawk (1979 Embassey take over) and I do not consider myself a Shellback as there were no cerimonies to go thru. Guess I'm a gause back. Westpac Willie. Would never take from those who did.

Forum Cop, refer back to my post on 9/10. Just crossing the line does not make one a shellback. You must be accepted by the royal court in order to become a shellback.

Just for you younguns according to the June 1945 All Hands "Shell Back initiation was suspended for the War (II) crossing during the war you may recieve the Neptune Certificate from the CO of the Plane, Sub or Ship you crossed on. Don't believe the current engagement qualifies skipping the initiation. Westpac Willie

Not only am I a "Shellback" but I am a "Horned Shellback". Crossed the Equator and Rounded The Horn on the same cruise. What about Order of The Golden Dragon ?

quote:

Originally posted by LJC:
Not only am I a "Shellback" but I am a "Horned Shellback". Crossed the Equator and Rounded The Horn on the same cruise. What about Order of The Golden Dragon ?

in my younger years, I WAS A HORNY SHELLBACK TOO

quote:

Originally posted by TinkFixer:
The post above has the wrong link. Try this.

http://home.earthlink.net/~shanedog2004/Navy01.htm

I became a shellback 31 August 1987 on board USS Duluth (LPD-6). Those pics really bring
back memories. The part I won't ever forget was a half dozen eggs were put in the seat of
my pants and getting them all cracked with a shillelagh.

quote:

Originally posted by LJC:
Not only am I a "Shellback" but I am a "Horned Shellback". Crossed the Equator and Rounded The Horn on the same cruise. What about Order of The Golden Dragon ?

I am a Golden Shellback. Aug 30, 1990 on USS Nevada. We crossed twice, once at test depth, once on the surface.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikBloodaxe:

quote:

Originally posted by LJC:
Not only am I a "Shellback" but I am a "Horned Shellback". Crossed the Equator and Rounded The Horn on the same cruise. What about Order of The Golden Dragon ?

I am a Golden Shellback. Aug 30, 1990 on USS Nevada. We crossed twice, once at test depth, once on the surface.

I got mine in 1962 on the USS Constellation CVA 64. Too big for the canal so we had to take her around the horn. Best cruise I was ever on. Two weeks Shore Patrol in Acapulco. Leading Chief thought he was screwing me when he assigned me to Shore Patrol. But because we were going to be in port for two weeks they billeted us in the Acapulco Hilton. This was so we didn't have to ride the Liberty Launch back and forth twice a day. When he found out he tried to pull me off the detail but his request was denied.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikBloodaxe:
I am a Golden Shellback. Aug 30, 1990 on USS Nevada. We crossed twice, once at test depth, once on the surface.

Doesn't everyone cross twice? I mean you go over it once, you would have to go back over to get home.

Although I know what you are saying here.