The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
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. 10921 Master-at-Arms Arthur A Wattle, dressed in shorts (inner right), observes the trial while 12568 Chief Stoker Norman W Skewes, in peaked hat (right), raises his hands in merriment. 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. HMAS Canberra was sunk on 9 August 1942 off Savo Island in the battle of Guadalcanal.
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 o
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
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)
Near the Equator, one of Knights of King Neptune’s Court, greets Major General K. W. Eather during the Crossing the Line Ceremony on the Quarter Deck of HMAS Shropshire en route to London for the Vict
Near the Equator, the “Herald” of King Neptune’s Court comes aboard and reads the proclamation prior to the Crossing the Line Ceremony on the Quarter Deck of HMAS Shropshire en route to London for the
