Around the World Submerged: The Voyage of the Triton

after due ceremony and examination he was found worthy to be reckoned as a member of the Ancient Order of the Deep and the Royal Order of SHELLBACKS; and

WHEREAS,

during this historic, record-setting submerged cruise of more than 36,000 miles, he crossed the equator thrice more … viz:

At Longitude 155°—54´.8 West, mid-Pacific, near Christmas Island.

At Longitude 119°—05´.1 East, Makassar Strait, between the Celebes and Borneo.

At Longitude 28°—03´.0 West, mid-Atlantic, again near St. Peter and St. Paul’s Rocks; and

WHEREAS,

on each crossing and visit to my realm, he was found still worthy to be my subject, now

THEREFORE, I, Neptunus, Ruler of the Raging Main, do solemnly command all my loyal subjects to honor and respect this trusty SHELLBACK, for he is one who has received special favor in my sight for having crossed the equator submerged four times on this First Submerged Circumnavigation of the World.

Authenticated:

Wm. ADAMS, JR.

LCDR, USN

Executive Officer

LOYD L. GARLOCK

Chief Fire Control Technician

United States Navy

NEPTUNUS,

REX

PHOTOGRAPHS

^{General Dynamics}

When we took Triton to sea on its initial run, she was the world’s largest submarine. Her 447½-foot hull was powered by two nuclear reactors which propelled her at record speeds.

^{Official U.S. Navy Photo}

For the long voyage, we stowed 77,613 pounds of provisions, including 1,300 pounds of coffee. Here, Ramon D. Baney, Commissaryman Second Class, and Seaman Joseph W. Tilenda load additional stores into an already jammed compartment.

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

At the first of our four crossings of the equator, King Neptune (Chief Firecontrol Technician Loyd L. Garlock) came aboard with his cigar-smoking Queen (Torpedoman Second Class Wilmot A. Jones) and barrel-girthed Royal Baby (Engineman Second Class Harry Olsen); the pollywogs (sailors crossing the equator for the first time) were initiated by the Royal Court of King Neptune and, henceforth, were known as Shellbacks.

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

The ceremony initiation included a visit to the Royal Barbers, whose clippers shaved an erratic path across the pollywogs’ scalps. Shortly after this photograph was taken, the Barbers clipped their own heads in self-defense. (Left to right, Chief Engineman Alfred E. Abel; Quartermaster Third Class Carl C. Hall; Lieutenant Tom B. Thamm; Gunners Mate First Class Peter P.J. Kollar; Photographer First Class Earnest R. Meadows.)

^{Photo by J. Baylor Roberts, © National Geographic Society}

St. Peter and St. Paul’s Rocks, looming starkly in the mid-Atlantic, marked the official departing and terminating point of the Triton’s circumnavigation of the earth.

^{Official U.S. Navy Photo}