Image: USS Triton SSRN-586 - Crossing the Equator - Operation Sandblast - 1960

Description: The Crossing the Line Ceremony is a British tradition that goes back some 200 years. The basic premise of this tradition is that the instant a ship crosses the equator, all become equal save one class of seaman - the Shellbacks! On 24 February 1960, USS Triton crossed the equator for the first time and by so doing, entered the Domain of Neptunus Rex, who instantly appeared accompanied by the roar of a water slug. In this photo, Captain Edward L. Beach welcomes King Neptune (FTC Loyd Garlock), Ruler of the Raging Main; his cigar-smoking Queen (TM2 Wilmot A. Jones), Davy Jones (FT2 Ross MacGregor); and the Royal Baby (EN2 Harry Olsen). Captain Beach pleaded for mercy for the lowly pollywogs (a standard request) and King Neptune gave him the standard response, "NONSENSE." All wogs were brought before the Bar of Watery Justice and all were, of course, found guilty and subsequently initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep.
Title: USS Triton SSRN-586 - Crossing the Equator - Operation Sandblast - 1960
Credit: Unofficial USS Triton (SSRN-586) WSeb Site
Author: Commander Joseph Baylor Roberts, USNR
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No