Naval Log At Auction
Cheffins Auctioneers will be selling a wonderful C19th Naval Log written by Charles Woods for HMS Winchester 1834-1838.
The log details in great depth a rather barbaric sounding ceremony performed on the crossing of the equator in which any seamen younger than 30 who have never crossed the line before are given an initiation.
The participants are made up from the oldest man among the crew who plays King Neptune, God of the Sea, and the most feminine looking man who plays Queen Amphitrite and is dressed up as a woman. The rest of the participants are composed of those people who have crossed the Equator most times.
The young seaman is brought blindfolded onto the deck where the King and Queen await him, on the premise that they must past a test in order to be free to roam the King’s seas. A large amount of water is thrown into his face and he is asked questions by the King whereupon with each answer he gives a bucket of salt water is poured into his mouth. His face, head and neck are then covered with a combination of tar, grease and soot and the Ceremony of Shaving commences. Iron strips with notches cut into them were used to shave the seaman often resulting in a lacerated face which took months to heal. He is then held down in a bath of salt water and dunked several times which aggravates the fresh cuts to his face.
The log has some wonderful illustrations and promises to attract a great deal of attention and will have an estimate of £4,000-6,000.
For further information email lisa.freeman-bassett@cheffins.co.uk.
