50 Years Ago, Mux saves downed pilot AND steams towards the equator for the first time!
... The morning of 4 July, Mullinnix’ first Independence Day, was indeed special. All of the hard work, the training, the drills, and the strict adherence to Naval policy was about to pay off – in spades! The day, cloudless and still, started like many others recently with the stationing of the plane guard detail as the Ranger commenced flight operations. The crew comfortable with their ship’s role and their individual responsibilities.
Then, at 1047, the word that all sailors dread, “Pilot reported down in water bearing 330, distance 43 miles”. Mullinnix immediately changed course and with black smoke bellowing from both stacks, increased speed to 30 knots. Covering the distance in sort order with the entire crew lining the life-lines in hopes of spotting the downed pilot, he was picked up by helicopter recovery at 1149. Fortunately the pilot, once back onboard Ranger, was reported uninjured.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on 5 July, the sky exploded in hues of pinks, reds, oranges, violets and purples. The reflected surface magnified the color wheel 100 times as the water’s liquid motion infused the colors with a life of their own. Both ships nearing the equator for the first time, a crossing that would enshrine all hands into the coveted fraternity of ‘shellbacks’.
In the Navy, a sailor that has not crossed the equator is known as a Pollywog. A sailor having made the crossing is referred to as a Shellback. When a ship crosses the equator it is naval tradition for the Shellbacks to initiate those Pollywogs in a "Crossing the Line" ceremony. Those Pollywogs, often referred to as "Slimy Pollywogs" during the crossing, must endure a variety of initiation events. The specific initiation events vary to some degree from ship to ship and crossing to crossing, dependent largely on the creativity of those Shellbacks on board and the materials on hand.
As a ship crosses the equator, Pollywogs must pay their respect to King Neptune, God of the Seas. The Shellbacks, having been across before and now "Sons of Neptune" (or perhaps something worse from the Pollywog's point of view) play the roles of a variety of characters such as King Neptune, Neptune's Queen, Davey Jones, the Royal Baby, the Royal Cop, and various other "needed" characters of the moment!
Messcook, and shellback, first class Robert ‘Bob’ Smart and his galley bunch secretly starting collecting raw garbage in late June – in preparation for ‘the crossing’ on 6 July. Large collections of women’s garments, hats, and massacre had been collected for weeks and hidden in the bowels of the ship. The engineers had acquired a three-foot diameter, thirty-foot long piece of flexibly air-duck that looked like a giant translucent slinky.
Shellbacks laid plans, schemed, manufactured pirate-like head gear, and cherished the day that was soon to come. Pollywogs heard grumblings, rumors, and secretive episodes of laughter. Ensigns, including Ensign J.J. O’Connell, and most Lieutenant JGs didn’t give it a second thought. They should have. The CO and XO smiled with anticipation.
King Neptune was chosen, given his crown, pitchfork, and Jane Russell-size undergarments. Grease was horded. Paddles distributed. Dunk-tanks built. Old dungarees cut off at the knees in Fred Flintstone saw-tooth fashion. Fire hoses cut into 3-ft lengths.
Tomorrow was the 6th of July…finally...
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
Then, at 1047, the word that all sailors dread, “Pilot reported down in water bearing 330, distance 43 miles”. Mullinnix immediately changed course and with black smoke bellowing from both stacks, increased speed to 30 knots. Covering the distance in sort order with the entire crew lining the life-lines in hopes of spotting the downed pilot, he was picked up by helicopter recovery at 1149. Fortunately the pilot, once back onboard Ranger, was reported uninjured.
As the sun dipped below the horizon on 5 July, the sky exploded in hues of pinks, reds, oranges, violets and purples. The reflected surface magnified the color wheel 100 times as the water’s liquid motion infused the colors with a life of their own. Both ships nearing the equator for the first time, a crossing that would enshrine all hands into the coveted fraternity of ‘shellbacks’.
In the Navy, a sailor that has not crossed the equator is known as a Pollywog. A sailor having made the crossing is referred to as a Shellback. When a ship crosses the equator it is naval tradition for the Shellbacks to initiate those Pollywogs in a "Crossing the Line" ceremony. Those Pollywogs, often referred to as "Slimy Pollywogs" during the crossing, must endure a variety of initiation events. The specific initiation events vary to some degree from ship to ship and crossing to crossing, dependent largely on the creativity of those Shellbacks on board and the materials on hand.
As a ship crosses the equator, Pollywogs must pay their respect to King Neptune, God of the Seas. The Shellbacks, having been across before and now "Sons of Neptune" (or perhaps something worse from the Pollywog's point of view) play the roles of a variety of characters such as King Neptune, Neptune's Queen, Davey Jones, the Royal Baby, the Royal Cop, and various other "needed" characters of the moment!
Messcook, and shellback, first class Robert ‘Bob’ Smart and his galley bunch secretly starting collecting raw garbage in late June – in preparation for ‘the crossing’ on 6 July. Large collections of women’s garments, hats, and massacre had been collected for weeks and hidden in the bowels of the ship. The engineers had acquired a three-foot diameter, thirty-foot long piece of flexibly air-duck that looked like a giant translucent slinky.
Shellbacks laid plans, schemed, manufactured pirate-like head gear, and cherished the day that was soon to come. Pollywogs heard grumblings, rumors, and secretive episodes of laughter. Ensigns, including Ensign J.J. O’Connell, and most Lieutenant JGs didn’t give it a second thought. They should have. The CO and XO smiled with anticipation.
King Neptune was chosen, given his crown, pitchfork, and Jane Russell-size undergarments. Grease was horded. Paddles distributed. Dunk-tanks built. Old dungarees cut off at the knees in Fred Flintstone saw-tooth fashion. Fire hoses cut into 3-ft lengths.
Tomorrow was the 6th of July…finally...
To be continued...
Cheers,
Woody
posted by Frank A. Wood at 07:14
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