NEPTUNE ABOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3595, 5 February 1927, Page 3

NEPTUNE ABOARD.

REVELS ON RENOWN

THE DUKE INITIATED.

ORDIER OF “OLD SEA DOG.”

A wireless message from the R - nown state that Neptune’s revels have always been right of the lower deck of the ship’s company, who took full advantage of their privilege and swarmed over every point of vantage, sitting along the awning stays and, like enormous cranes, among the barrels of the 15 inch guns, watching gleefully every item of the proceedings from the time that King Neptune and his consort boarded till the last novice was initiated.

Neptune boarded at 9 o’clock and held his Court on the quarter deck, surrounded by his consort, Queen A.mplirititc, barbers, bears, and doctors. He harangued the captain, the Duke and Duchess of York, and others on the importaiice of the occasion. He refused to accept the Duke of York’s initiation aboard a liner as in order, and requested him to undergo it again, investing him at the same time with the order of the “Old Sea Dog.” A merry time followed when the Duchess was invested by Ainphritite with the order of the “Golden Mermaid.”

Other members of the Royal staff wero likewise decorated. The Earl of Cavan was made a “General of Horse Marines,” and Mr. Batterbee a “flattened kipper.” . Several members of the ship’s company were variously honoured. The company adjourning forward the initiation ceremonies proceeded with dispatch, the Duchess and the ladies being excused through the intercession of Amphritite and •merely-sprinkled with sea water. The first ducked were the Duke and Captain Sulivan, who thereafter was presented with the order of the “Skipped Sardine.” Both were faithfully dealt with and, vigorously ducked by the “bears,” to the accompaniment of roars of delight. ]y followed the whole ship’s comQuickly followed the whole ship’s company from the commander djownwards. His appearance was the signal for cries of “give him more” from his delighted sailors. The fun increased apace, four novices being expeditiously treated at once. The acme of the day’s enjoyment. was reached when at the request of the Duke, the “mainbrace was spliced” and a tot of rum served to the whole company.

After a strenuous morning the Royal party joined the officers in the wardroom at a belated breakfast.