In week 12, when the Duke of York crossed the Equator, Captain Morgan did not permit a crossing the line ceremony to be held onboard. It was a different story for those onboard the Rapid, crossing the Equator on Wednesday 8th July. The “usual absurd ceremony” was held onboard to initiate the ‘uninitiated’ passengers who had never crossed the Equator before. Little detail is given in Dr John Woodforde’s diary, and we can only imagine what events occurred. These ceremonies are thought to have originated long ago and up until the 19th century were often a brutal event. Ships crossing the Equator today still hold ceremonies to mark the occasion.
-2147
weeks passed
2191
weeks to go
Week 16: Crossing the Line
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 45: Proclamation and Celebration ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 43: Kangaroo Island ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 40 - Finally! The harbour is found ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 37: Building a Home ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 36: Family Life ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 35: Pastimes ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 34 - a tempest ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 26: Whose story? ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 25 - The demon drink ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 22: In Good Time ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 20 - infectious disease ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 18 - the port of Rio ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 16: Crossing the Line ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 16 - towards Australia ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 15 - high drama on the John Pirie ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 08: Employment ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 06 : Weathering the Storm ]
[ View the related 'Weekly Post': Week 05: Ship Shape ]