Pollywog or Shellback: The Navy's Line Crossing Ceremony Revealed

No one is really sure when or how the Line Crossing Ceremony, "Order of Neptune", came about. The ritual dates back at least 400 years in Western seafaring.

The ceremony observes a mariner's transformation from slimy Pollywog, a seaman who hasn't crossed the equator, to trusty Shellback, also called a Son or Daughter of Neptune. It was a way for sailors to be tested for their seaworthiness.

Follow the USS England as she crosses into King Neptunes domain.

Ronnie Gregory had the honor of crossing the equator while on the USS England in 1971. Ronnie not only crossed it while he was a ploywog, but he crosssed it a second time as a shellback. Ronnie served on board the USS England from 1971-1975. During this time period, he went on 3 WESPAC tours to Vietnam.

This book describes the events that took place on the USS England during 1971-1975. The events that are described took place to the best of my remembrance. The names used are accurate as best as they can be. But I may change some because of my loss of memory.

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