Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:31:31-2:31:56

Q&A: Did American sailors learn crossing-the-line customs from the Royal Navy?

An uncertain story about borrowing an equator-crossing ceremony raises the broader influence of British sailors on American naval customs.

Crossing The Line CeremonyNaval TraditionsRoyal NavyUS Navy
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Question

Did American sailors ask a British ship to teach them the crossing-the-line ceremony?

Short answer

That particular story is uncertain. American crews included British and former Royal Navy sailors, which helps explain their adoption of Royal Navy customs.

Notes

A viewer recalls a story that American sailors sought out a British vessel to learn how to conduct their first crossing-the-line ceremony. That particular incident remains uncertain. Former Royal Navy sailors and other British personnel already served in American crews, providing a broader route for customs to pass between the services.