Equator baptism on the high seas: A torture festival full of traditions!

Equator baptism on the high seas: A torture festival full of traditions!

The seagoing adventurers of the past had a number of rituals that they performed after special events. A very special one is the equator baptism – with many customs and a bit of mischief. Uwe Nau Schütt, who witnessed the equator baptism in 1961 on the ship “Henriette Wilhelmine Schulte”, gave us exciting insights into this tradition. Its journey began with the transport of coal from Norfolk, USA, to Bremen-Farge, where the crew then sailed, in ballast, to Vitória in Brazil, where 15,000 tons of ore were to be loaded for Emden. During the journey, fuel was stashed in Las Palmas, on the Canary Islands. These formative seafaring experiences began for Nau Schütt in 1956, when he began his apprenticeship as a machinist and later attended the sea machinist and ship engineering school in Flensburg, where he acquired important patents.

What exactly happens at an equator baptism? Also known as the Baptism of the Line or the Baptism of Neptune, this ceremony is traditionally performed when sailors cross the equator for the first time. Uwe Nau Schütt reports that a total of 15 aspirants, almost the entire crew, were involved in his baptism. The ceremony itself was initiated by the captain dressed as Neptune, who explained the rules and regulations. After a short speech, the baptismal candidates found themselves in a dark anteroom and were led to hatch 4, where the ceremony reached its climax.

Rituals and “torture”

The equator baptism attracts everyone's attention thanks to its special rituals. Among other things, the aspirants had to kiss the feet of Neptune's wife and look through funny "binoculars" made of beer bottles filled with salt water. A real highlight of the ceremony was immersion in a swimming pool - the climax of “purification”. Those who survived not only received a new name based on their characteristics, but also a certificate. This type of baptism has its origins in the times of the Portuguese voyages of discovery. The equator used to be considered a dangerous place - perfect prejudices to encourage the courage of sailors and reinforce their faith.

In addition to the fun of such ceremonies, there are also the less pleasant sides: After the baptism, the participants had to clean themselves of lubricants, oil and paint, a process that was often only partially successful. And at the very end there was a sip of rum from the captain as a reward. In this respect, an equator baptism is a mixture of fun and challenge!

The changing times

Nowadays, equator baptisms have become less common in commercial shipping. Nowadays they are mostly used for entertainment, especially on cruise ships. In fact, the German Navy officially carried out the equator christening in 2011 due to inappropriate practices. Previously, this tradition was carried out under strict rules that took into account the voluntary principle. Originally there were reports about the baptism on the sailing training ship Gorch Fock, which were reminiscent of the extraordinary ritual.

Equatorial baptism remains a fascinating relic of maritime traditions, and even if the formal ceremonies are less frequent, the spirit of these customs will live on. So the next time someone reports on a crossing, think of the exciting and often amusing equatorial baptism, which also comes with many challenges.

For those who would like to know more about Uwe Nau Schütt's journey and his experiences during the equator baptism, the detailed reports can be found in NWZonline, Wikipedia and Wikipedia can be read.