There is a long-standing tradition observed in the Navy when a sailor crosses the Equator for the first time. King Neptune (the most high-ranking or seasoned member of the crew) is welcomed aboard and charges many of the pollywogs (those who have not crossed the equator before) with crimes on the ship. For those crimes, the pollywogs are given punishments to perform for the rest of the crew. Now, those sailors are forever “shellbacks” rather than pollywogs. Continue reading “Crossing the Equator”