The ceremony of crossing the line has been around for at least 400 years according to recorded accounts. Sailors who have previously crossed the equator and participated in the ceremony are Shellbacks, those who haven't are Pollywogs, not fit to be in the realm of King Neptune.

Pollywogs must go through an initiation that includes appearing before the royal court. The court includes King Neptune, his Queen, the Royal Baby, the Royal Scribe (Davy Jones), and other members and helpers made up of Shellbacks. The Shellbacks dress in appropriate costumes.

The Pollywogs wear their clothes inside out and backwards, crawl on their hands and knees along the deck of the ship with the charges against them held in their teeth. They crawl through canvas chutes filled with garbage that has been collected over a period of time and are kept moving by Shellbacks wielding sections of fire hose used to flog them.

They are examined and "treated" by the Royal Doctor and have to kiss the Royal Baby's belly, covered with grease. As they kiss his belly the Royal Baby will grab them by the head and rub their face all over his belly making sure they get well coated with it.

After appearing before the court Pollywogs are dunked in a tank or hosed down with fire hoses and become Shellbacks. The event is noted in their service record and they are awarded a certificate acknowledging their participation in the ceremony and status as Shellbacks.

These photos are from when the Nantahala crossed the Equator 4 September 1967 at 00 Latitude, 29W Longitude.