How Polywogs Become Shellbacks

Although our ship had been in the  South Pacific for months we had never crossed the equator.  After Iwo and Okinawa and a return to Guam, we headed to New Caledonia along with some other ships; I think it was to pick up some Seabees.  Some of our crew had previously crossed the equator and were proud to be shellback, while most of us were mere polywogs who would have to be initiated.  The captain, although a veteran of many years in the navy, was a polywog, while the executive officer had served years in the merchant marine and was a shellback.  

Some polywogs were bold and harassed the shellbacks during their planning meetings.  One brave soul climbed the highest mast and planted a polywog flag.  The commanding admiral, on another ship, ordered the flag be lowered immediately.  Several people tried but the only person able to climb up and get it down was the guy who had put it up.  

As we crossed the equator the initiation began; first off we were blasted with water from fire hoses.  We had to kiss the baby  ( the butt of the ugliest guy on the ship), be locked in stocks and shocked by an electrified wand until we would yell  shellback.  Next was a visit to a barber chair where disgusting things were done to our hair before a lever was moved and we were dumped into a water tank.  When we came up out of the water we were dunked again and again until we said shellback.  I didn't try to be tough and said shellback as soon as I could breathe, but I was dunked several times anyway.  Last was the most painful; we slid headfirst down an inclined table while shellbacks beat us with clubs.  Upon hitting the  deck stunned, we were greeted by Davey Jones and his trident, which carried a potent electric shock.The captain was the first to go through the gauntlet and slid so fast on the newly greased incline that he hit the deck had and injured his wrist. 

When my locker was broken into  and robbed, my billfold was among the items stolen, and it contained my shellback card.  If I rejoin the navy  and cross the equator for the third time, I suppose I'll have to go through another initiation.  I'm not too worried about it.