The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
A Crossing the Line ceremony held onboard the Kent class cruiser HMAS Canberra. The Commanding Officer, Captain (Capt) H B Farncomb (centre), receives a certificate from King Neptune. Crew members observe the proceedings as the ship's band (left) plays a musical interlude. When circumstances allow, unofficial ceremonies are held in ships as they cross the equator to initiate novices into the Brotherhood of the Seas and as subjects of 'His Oceanic Majesty, King Neptune'. The ship is usually placed out of routine for the day and officers and men share impartially in the proceedings, which are made the occasion for harmless, good-natured skylarking. Capt Farncomb was the first graduate of the Royal Australian Naval College to be promoted to the rank of captain. HMAS Canberra was sunk on 9 August 1942 off Savo Island in the battle of Guadalcanal.
Chaplain Alexander Tulloh (centre) faces judgement in King Neptune's court while crew members observe the proceedings of the Crossing the Line ceremony onboard the Kent class cruiser HMAS Canberra. 1
King Neptune and his helpers hold court during a 'crossing the line' ceremony held onboard the troop transport HMAS Sydney whilst en route to Vietnam. Some of those crossing the equator for the first
CROSSING THE LINE CEREMONY ON BOARD THE DESTROYER HMAS BATAAN. AN INITIATE TO THE COURT OF KING NEPTUNE. (NAVAL HISTORICAL COLLECTION)
AT SEA. 1945-04-07. AS THE VAN HEUTSZ CARRYING HEADQUARTERS 26 INFANTRY BRIGADE TROOPS CROSSES THE EQUATOR, "KING NEPTUNE", (LIEUTENANT MAHONEY), (1), ESCORTED BY HIS RETINUE COMES ABOARD TO INITIATE
AT SEA. 1945-04-07. CAPTAIN J.D. HONEYSETT, 26 INFANTRY BRIGADE SIGNALS, (3), HAVING HIS PUNISHMENT ORDERED BY "KING NEPTUNE", LIEUTENANT MAHONEY, (1), AS THE VAN HEUTSZ CARRYING HEADQUARTERS 26 INFAN
Near the Equator, King Neptune speaking to one of the “Offenders” during the Crossing the Line Ceremony on the deck of HMAS Shropshire on its voyage to London for the Victory Celebrations.
