CROSSING THE LINE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19999, 15 July 1920, Page 2

CROSSING THE LINE.

PRINCE DUCKED BY NEPTUNE. PINK AND BUCK STRIPES. The Prince of Vales had one memorable experience otf his voyage to New Zealand in the Renown, for when crossing the lino Neptune gave him a special drubbing. The “old one ” hailed tho ship one Friday night. The captain, after a megaphoned conversation from the bridge, stopped the ship and let him aboard. A shower of rockets flew skyward from the fo’c’sle, jets of water leapt up from the capstan, and a searchlight disclosed the barnacled and hairy King of Sharks and Whales advancing to meet the Prince. It was reported that Neptufle, with two bears, two guards, and a secretary, came through the hawsc-pipc (the metal pipe in the hows of a ship for the anchor chains), and be taught everyone aboard to disbelieve such reports at their peril. His Alajesty was satisfied that night with a drink of whisky on the bridge, but the next morning ho appeared with a full court to de" mand the homage of the Prince and others who had not previously catered his domain; HENPECKED NEPTUNE. Neptune was ferocious and crusty, but decidedly henpecked by a leggy, rope-skirted Amphitrito (Queen of the Sea), on whom an aged, rouge-cheeked mermaid attended. He had a, backing of 50 stout sailors, otherwise heralds, secretaries, clerks, barbers, police and bears, all dressed with most spectacular absurdity, due to a happy mixture of paint, old clothes and tow. Here were a judge ready to condemn anybody without hearing, a doctor with an appalling collection of soapy pills and bitter potions, trumpeters able to blow anyone else dumb, and hears who showed their mood by singing when they met the Prince: Shave him and bash him, Duck hiiu and splash him, Torture and smash him. And don't let him go. ORDER OF THE BATH. In view of the ships company, which crowded the guns,, turrets and superstructure like an amphitheatre, .Neptune held an investiture, bestowing on , the Prince the Order of the Eouatonnl Bath, tying a.' miniature tub round his neck. Rear-Admiral Sir Lionel Halsey got the Order of the Old Sea Dog, with alppPopriato verses: Captain Dudley North became a Knight of the. Aged Cod, an Australian heutenant, was given the Order of the Ci listed Barnacle in virtue of innumerable crossings of the Line, and Commander James Campbell, navigator was made a Knight ot the Soused Herring in view of the . wonderful brain, M liich runs the ship like a train AVith unrivalled punctuality, Before which we bow. The proceedings were in rhyme, and the Prince recited a verse of his own composition welcoming the King and of tho Deep. The stntoly procession passed along the deck' to a platform ending abruptly in a long sea-water bath, and hero the real business occurred, novices being seized in turn and subjected to tho beastly Attentions of Neptune’s doctors anil barbers, who forced; on them medicines, lathered their heads with many-’ coloured mixtures, shaved them, and lipped them backwards into the water where bears with seaweedy embraces awaited them. l SOUSED NINE TIAIES. j Ji 10 Prince "Vs the first to be initi- ! ated. AN bile Neptune orated over him no slipped off Ins uniform, disclosing a 1 bathing _ costume, aud was given a nasty pill, which, when the barbers wero not looking, he craftily thrift out ot us mouth. They lathered him pink, Tiliitc aud blacky his uo c g to'shave him. Then, amid a"dcli<dited roar of the crew, over he went" and was ducked three times three. Captain Dudley North, not in- as chief bear to Neptune, then carried out the condign punishment of Lieu-tenant-Colonel Grigg and Lord Louis -Mount-batten on a. charge of sfirriuup strife against Neptune by forging wireless messages from the Archbishop of Canterbury suggesting that as ho used the Christian calendar lie must have boon converted to Christianity and should himself bo christened and immersed. The affair was on an unprecedented and the book of words will be published. It was the result of a considerable amount of research into old customs and the use of clever rlivmesters in the ship. The sailors took a great delight in the ceremonies, everybody Loin admiral to cook’s hoy nayiug due .Vtcr enco and homage' ‘to bis Ocanic Alajesty.