| NEPTUNE'S COURT Crossing the line ceremony is performed as a part of Navy Week Display in Portsmouth. | ||
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| This clip is not available for streaming at this time. Please contact WPA. | Tape Master: | 5524 |
| Catalog #: | 251061 | |
| Clip Number: | 251061-1 | |
| Orginal Film: | 34/63 | |
| Timecode: | 01:24:14 - 01:25:37 | |
| Location: | Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. | |
| Year Shot: | 1934 (Actual Year) | |
| Audio: | Yes | |
| Color: | No | |
| Headings: | CEREMONIES: Unusual LOCATIONS/EUROPE: UK, England, Hampshire MILITARY: Navy, British | |
| Description: | GAZETTE "NEPTUNE'S COURT! Crossing the line ceremony is featured in Navy Week Display at Portsmouth." Portsmouth, Hampshire. Crossing the line (Equator) ceremony is performed in Portsmouth. King Neptune, along with his court (ladies in waiting, judges etc.) all in period costume, walk on the improvised stage. Audience is screaming and clapping, waiting for the ceremony to start. Neptune and one of the ladies are seated on 'throne'. Judge is standing next to a small table looking at some paperwork. A specially-rigged chair is placed next to a small area of water collected within canvas for those who are crossing the equator for the first time; they have to pay homage to the King Neptune. They are placed on the chair, "shaved" by a giant novelty razor, rubbed with something dark (tar?) across the face and dropped into the pool where several people are waiting to give them a good wash. Navy officers and sailors in the audience are having fun watching the spectacle. More shots of the men being rubbed across the face and dropped into the pool. A nice short sequence of the crowded pool with people jumping and splashing around. Natural sound lasts for most of the story - lots of screaming, giggling and laughter. | |
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