Crossing the Antarctic circle
I get to work at midnight now. I was coming to my office after getting my tea in the galley and the phone was ringing. The third mate up on the bridge was looking for one of the middle school STEM teachers, who had asked to be alerted if there was going to be a good sunrise. It’s been pretty cloudy most of the time. I texted the teacher then went up to the bridge to watch. There were a couple of other night shift people up there enjoying the view of the sky. The teacher eventually showed up as well.
Not sure if I mentioned these teachers before. There are two of them here with the science team. These are the first ones to be on a vessel in years. They blog/write/record and show the science life to their kids. They do some of the routine science tasks as well.
We watched the sky all around, the moon was out, we could easily see Venus near the horizon. There was another planet behind us but no one knew what it was.
We saw the green flash as the sun came up, a very brief glimpse. The third mate Trevor is a particular sort of fellow and he told us to remember that we saw it from behind a cloud, not exactly on the horizon. The sun rises, once again. The teacher has never been in these latitudes so she was amazed at how bright it was, at 1:30 am or whatever it was. Trevor said we were nearing the Antarctic circle, so we all stayed up there to experience that crossing. 66 33 8853, you can see the latitude on the display screen. I have crossed it going north, which did not trigger the wrath of King Neptune.
There are maritime traditions about crossing the equator (and maybe other lines of latitude). When I crossed the arctic circle we could participate in the ceremony, which involved having a bucket of ice water thrown over our heads. An agent of King Neptune is on this vessel and he sent out this alarming email, tailored for this particular crew.
“To the passengers and crew of the Nathaniel B. Palmer
It has come to the attention of His Royal Highness, NEPTUNUS REX, Ruler of the Raging Main, Sovereign of the Seven Seas, that you have TRESSPASSED into the most Southern realm of His kingdom. NOT ONLY have you rudely entered these icy waters without permission, but our citizens report that helpless plankton are being ABDUCTED and subjected to HEINOUS treatment. Further, His majesty is displeased with your annoying “CTD” penetrating the depths while you laugh and draw vulgar cartoons to amuse your plebian selves. Your awful conduct violates the time-honored moral code of the ocean and insults the memory of the truly intrepid explorers who have ventured south before you. It is not too late to TURN BACK and avoid punishment. These injustices might have been overlooked with an apology and a small bribe….HOWEVER, MOST SHOCKING and OUTRAGEOUS of all is the news that there are indeed several POLLIWOGS amongst you. These VILE and UNWASHED invaders shall not be tolerated!!
THEREFORE, as is our right, we have no choice but to hold you all in contempt. With heavy heart but heated brow, the King shall rise from the depths with the royal court and you SHALL be judged. King Neptune is coming, but being a benevolent lord of the seas, he may allow you to plead your case and beg forgiveness. Nevertheless, do not think you will escape His wrath!
The King’s schedule is quite full, however, and His Royal Presence will come when it pleases him. IF YE BE REPENTFUL AND WISH TO FACE THE ROYAL COURT FOR PROPER JUDGEMENT AND SALVATION then notify my loyal scribe, his Lordship Kris Hartin, of your desire to be CLEANSED and SAVED. Once you have placed your mark, you will receive further instruction pertaining to your official crossing ceremony. In the meantime, polliwogs should prepare skits, demonstrations of worthy talents, songs and offerings that might amuse the King and His court. These tributes might…might… lessen His bombastic, whale-sized wrath. Prepare, oh lowly pollywogs, for the King is coming. You MAY consult loyal shellbacks for advice, but rest assured they CANNOT save you from your fate!
Ordered under my hand in the Realm of the Antarctic
Signed
Davey Jones
His Majesty’s Scribe
(a polliwog is someone who has not crossed the circle before)
The PI came over to tell me she was organizing the ceremony and did I want to be King Neptune. If not, I would take part with the other polliwogs to come up with skits or entertainments to placate the king. I said I would be up for the ice bucket over the head but not the rest. I told her that her grantees are very creative and they will surely do well with the task. I think she really wanted me to help her organize it, she has not done this before. I’m going to wander among the scientists and see what they are planning.