A Tarheel in King Neptune's Court Or, How I Became a Shellback by Frank B. Turberville, Jr. mong the many traditions of the sea that date back to Admiral Nelson and before, there is one that recognizes the sovereign areareigned over by Neptunus Rex. This realm is known to navigators as the great circle equidistant between poles; or Latitude 00째 00' 00". Lubbers and young sailors who are off soundings for the first time (Polly Wogs ), know it as the equator, and as often as not admit to feeling a characteristic little bump, as the ship crosses the Line. Navigators and Shellbacks know that they are approaching these Royal Waters as the North Star backs off closer to the northern horizon each night and finally disappears, and the Southern Cross climbs higher in the southern sky, where it can bear witness to the sovereign proceedings soon to be convened. As a ship approaches the Line, all of the "Shellbacks" in their loyalty to King Neptune, and in accordance with Poseidon's Law, become very busy interviewing all of the Polly Wogs aboard. The first question asked of course is always, "Have you ever crossed the Line?" As my ship-the USS Hidatsa (ATF102), southbound for missions of war in late June 1944--approached the line, I was interviewed, and my answer to that question was: "Yes, I have crossed the equator a number of times." While it did not show in Poseidon 's court records, this was true. Possibly from having lived for so long and from such an early age in the Canal Zone, just 09째 north of Neptune' s Realm, I was not properly impressed with the approaching sovereign proceedings. Besides having served for the previous three years with the Naval Degaussing Unit in the Canal Zone-the Navy thought I had some proficiency in the calibration of electrical instruments-I had been making three orfourflights a year from Panama down to the Galapagos Islands to pay my respects to giant tortoises, tropical penguins, the old whaler's whisky-barrel post office, and a few naval electrical instruments hiding in the bushes. These trips were made in a Navy twin-engine PBY patrol plane, which, by today's standards, flew low and slow. It seems, however, that this was high enough and fast enough to escape the reconnaissance efforts of King Neptune' s Shellbacks. So it happened that after the Royal
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Na vi gator examined the charts in the area of the Galapagos Islands, the question was raised as to whether I had actually crossed the Line, or just nudged it a bit in a disrespectful manner. It was also observed that in none of my visits to the Galapagos Islands had I taken the opportunity to post
... the question was raised as to whether I had actually crossed the Line, or just nudged it a bit in a disrespectful manner . ... The upshot of all this was that I was arrested by several of the Royal Shellbacks, hauled into King Neptune's Court and charged with "claiming to be a Shellback when I was nothing but a lowly Polly Wag." a proper greeting to King Neptune from the whaler' s whisky-barrel post office. The upshot of all this was that I was arrested by several of the Royal Shellbacks, hauled into King Neptune 's Court and charged with "claiming to be a Shellback when I was nothing but a low 1y Polly W og." Few sea lawyers have ever been so bold as to plead a case in Neptune' s Court. I doubt if even Daniel Webster would have tried, under Poseidon's Law, or any other law. King Neptune was quite busy that 30th day of June 1944. It seemed that every Polly Wog on the USS Hidatsa had committed some ridiculous crime, including Captain C.F. Johnson, who had done all of his previous sailing in northern waters. The sea had calmed that morning, apparently in deference to the presence of Neptunus Rex . Several white albatross soared in the sky around the ship, always swooping down to inspect the back trough of those waves that ventured into the area, yet careful never to flap a wing. I have forgotten what Captain Johnson's crime was ; he had not shot any albatross or keelhauled any Shellbacks. I remember, though, that he was sentenced to cook dinner and serve it in the ward-
room for all of the Shellbacks. I later heard a Shellback comment that even Charlie Noble had never witnessed a better meal prepared at sea, and that it was far better than the fare in Davey Jones ' locker. My case was heard immediately after the Captain's. King Neptune sat high up on his throne attended by several mermaids, which I thought to be a bitfishythough I would not have dared to say so in those Royal Waters. He had a long hemp beard, a golden crown on his head (maybe it was copper) and a royal harpoon in his hand. Occasionally he would rap the deck with the butt of the harpoon staff demanding "order in this Royal Court" if a Polly Wog were so bold as to open his mouth intending to speak. As each Polly Wog prisoner was brought before him, he listened to the charges, shook his royal head in exasperation, pronounced sentence and called for the next case. Since my case was heard immediately after the Captain' s, I followed immediately behind him in the initiation exercises. This meant that I was immediately behind him in the canvas wind-shoot, through which we were expedited with a saltwater fire hose. When I came out of the wind-shoot, I was quite salty and wet, but a full-fledgedShellback. My "Certificate of Membership" read: "To all Good Sailors of the Seven SeasGreetings-Know ye, that Turberville, Frank B. Jr. ; U.S . Navy, USS Hidatsa (ATF-102), has this date been initiated into the mysteries of the deep in keeping with the traditions of my realm and has been acclaimed a true and loyal son of Neptune. Given under my hand and seal, in Latitude 00째 00' 00" and Longitude 98째 33 ' west. Captain C.F. Johnson Commanding, Under the direction ofNeptunus Rex, this 30th day of June 1944." As I recall, there were at least two other Tarheels who became Shellbacks that day: Leo V. Lewis from New Bern and a 19-year-old named Rigsbee from Creedmore. Rigsbee was a fireman and stood watches on the ship 's evaporator, which distilled about 500 gallons of fresh water per day. The Royal Court charged him with casting covetous " coups d'oeils" at: the ship' s evaporator and commentirug " that if he could just get that evapor:ator home and established in a thickly w1ooded area near Creedmore, SEA HISTORY 72, WINTER 1994-95