The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Group portrait of unidentified seamen in fancy dress costume as Father Neptune and his entourage on board the destroyer HMAS Yarra. On the left in the front row is a bugler holding a mascot dog. The occasion was most probably a 'Crossing the Line' ceremony, which is an ancient naval tradition that both marks the crossing of the equator and subjects sailors who are crossing it for the first time to a range of initiation rituals. The photograph was probably taken when the six ships of the Australian destroyer flotilla were en route to patrol duty in the Adriatic Sea.
Portrait of two unidentified seamen dressed as Father Neptune and his consort, water nymph Amphitrite coming aboard the destroyer HMAS Yarra in a traditional line-crossing ceremony. This ancient naval
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
Troops on board the transport ship SS Marathon watch games associated with the traditional naval 'crossing the line' ceremony, which takes place when a ship crosses the equator. Sailors who are crossi
Troops on board the transport ship SS Marathon watch some games associated with the traditional naval ceremony of 'Crossing the line', which takes place when a ship crosses the equator, and sailors wh
At sea. c.1969. Troops aboard the Army Ship John Monash take part in the traditional crossing of the equator ceremony. When a person sails across the line of the equator for the first time he or she t
Father Neptune and his party seen in costume during a 'Crossing the Line' ceremony aboard HMAT Omrah (A5), to mark the crossing of the Equator. Left to right: Captain (Capt) Dougall, Lieutenant (Lt) K
