12 July 1859

We were accordingly visited next day by his majesty, who, with his suits, came on board as promised. The two stowaways and two of the sailors who had never crossed the line before were brought before him one by one, and examined as to the place of their nativity etc. Whenever they attempted to speak a brush with tar on it was shoved into their mouths. They were then shaved by his barber with a piece of rough iron hoop, physicked by his surgeon, and at last soused oeverhead in a tub of water, after which they were pronounced true sons of Neptune. One or two of the passengers, desirous of acting a part in such a distinguished drama, went voluntarily forward and submitted to be tarred, shaved etc. The whole affair was certainly very ludicrous, and reminded be much of a scene in the pantomime.

Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859

July 12. Preparations for Neptune’s visit (for the account of the ceremony which caused a good deal of fun and amusement see my diary).

Campbell, Alexander. Letters and papers, 1859 - 1870. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 50

12th. Making only moderate progress. Still fine weather though perhaps not the most healthy but we expect a change soon. A custom is kept by some seamen of shaving those of the crew who have not passed the line before. It commenced nearly as follows. One of the sailors was drafted to represent what is superstitiously called Neptune the god of the seas. A tar tub is set on fire and put overboard to represent Neptune’s ship. The Neptune comes on board with his wife, doctor, barber and staff of men. They parade the ship headed with mud and at some fixed place the shaving stand is fixed. A seat is placed by the doctor. Medicine is prescribed then he is soaped well with grease and tar and then scraped with a hoop iron razor. His seat is next taken from under him and he falls backwards into the water and after a few ducks overheard they call him finished. A dinner was given to the sailors and paid for by a voluntary subscription amongst the passengers in which sout fie pounds was raised. See what zeal manifested by these sons of Belial to maintain a silly useless and expensive custom which is ever pregnant with (..illegible) results both of a moral and spiritual character.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.

11 July 1859

We crossed the line on Monday the 11th July, in long - In the evening Neptune sent notice that he would come on board "tomorrow" and see what new subjects of his were on board.

Our Voyage to New Zealand Per the Tornado (by a Glasgow Emigrant) Glasgow Herald December 19, 1859

July 11. Crossed the line. In the evening hailed Neptune.

Campbell, Alexander. Letters and papers, 1859 - 1870. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 50.

11th. Very fine morning. The breeze continues good making our circumstances more cool and pleasant. I am told the ship has made this part of our voyage quicker by about ten days than when she last passed this way to Melbourne and I cannot hear any seaman on board that ever crossed this part of the ocean with so good a breeze. This is a great favour to have such a wind in this hot region. We crossed the equatorial line about 8 o'clock this morning. And about 12 at noon a squall was seen coming on the wings of the wind like sweeping thunderstorm. Every man was ordered to his post when the first and second mate and the Boatswain there stood watching the storm in what way it was likely to attack the ship. So that in case of danger and tackle might be altered or removed at pleasure. It came upon us rather fiercely and spent its rage in a few minutes but tore down the fore gibb sail almost as sudden as gunshot. The wind then sank down for a few minutes as if exhausted in the past struggle. And while all was still the cocks began to crow as if we were about the begin the day over again.

Booth, Thomas. Papers, 1857 - 1859. Auckland War Memorial Museum Library. MS 2002/56.