| CROSSING THE LINE Crossing the Line ceremony on the HMS Hood, the Equator. | ||
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| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 5237 |
| Catalog #: | 181518 | |
| Clip Number: | 181518-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | G 916 | |
| Timecode: | 01:21:28 - 01:24:27 | |
| Location: | At Sea, the Equator | |
| Year Shot: | 1922 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | No | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | BEHAVIOR, HUMAN: Humor CEREMONIES: Unusual FASHION: Costume/Masquerade/Fancy Dress TRANSPORTATION/BOATS & SHIPS: Passenger Liners | |
| Description: | CROSSING THE LINE - King Neptune and his consort hold their Court on HMS Hood and carry out traditional ceremony. Altogether 1200 Officers and Men were initiated. Men are initiated during crossing the line ceremony. Hazing includes forcing men to drink, pushing them into water, and paddling them. Bizarre ceremony, on the Equator. L/S's of Officers in fancy dress walking on the deck of the Hood. One Officer appears to be dressed as Neptune, he is holding a large fork. "Rear Admiral Sir W. Cowan Commanding the Squadron having previously crossed the Line - is invested with 'Order of the old Sea Dog" in accordance with ancient custom." L/S of Sir W. Cowan (British survivor of the Fashoda incident) kneeling before Neptune and large woman (possibly Mrs Neptune !), who places something around his neck. L/S of Cowan standing up and putting his hat on, other members of the ceremony cheer and clap. C/U of Cowan with large woman. Humorous M/S of man with false beard holding a very large stethoscope to a crewman's chest, he then starts hitting the poor man with a mallet! The crewman is then subjected to a haircut and a shave with similarly large implements. L/S of crewman being thrown down ramp into pool of water, he is then set upon by Neptune's helpers. | |
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