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          The pirates again dived deeply into Davy Jones' sea-chest, and from it they lifted the " Crossing the Line " Certificates for presentation to Their Royal Highnesses.
          Princess Elizabeth received the original certificate handsomely framed.

Crossing the Line Ceremony (continued)
The two pirates then opened a large brass bound sea-chest on which were painted the initials "D.J.," and from it they took two outsize season tickets. These they handed to the Chief of Police, who passed them to King Neptune for presentation to Their Majesties.



The Clerk of the Court then unrolled his scroll, and from it read aloud the following citations:-

          "REAR-ADMIRAL WILLIAM GLADSTONE AGNEW, Commander of the Bath, Commander of the Victorian Order, Distinguished Service Order and Bar, Royal Navy, to be Knight Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Ancient Mariner, First Class."

          The Captain stepped forward and bent his head. King Neptune then leaned forward and placed    the Insignia of the Order, suspended from a length of pink ribbon, around the Captain's neck.
The Insignia took the form of a scallop shell in which was painted the figure of Popeye the Sailorman.

          A similar procedure took place at the presentation of the further orders:-

          "SURGEON REAR-ADMIRAL HENRY ELLIS YEO WHITE,
Commander of the Victorian Order, Order of the British Empire, Doctor of Medicine, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Royal Navy, to be appointed an Honorary Consultant Physician to the Royal Court of His Most Maritime Majesty King Neptune."
The Insignia consisted of an oversize clinical thermometer.
                            
       "COMMANDER (S) KEITH LESLIE DUNN, Royal Navy, to be Companion of the Most Ancient Order of the Filletted Kipper."
Insignia - the skeleton of a large kipper.

       "COMMANDER (E) LAUNCELOT ARTHUR BEBINGTON PEILE, Distinguished Service Order, Royal Navy, to be Companion of the Order of the Bent Screw."
Insignia - a very bent brass screw 14 inches in length.

                                      .      .      .



King Neptune rose and announced: "We now come to Their Royal Highnesses the Princesses. Let the Court be photographed."
The Court Photographer set up his camera and tripod and, after some difficulty, obtained his picture. Alas to no avail, as shortly afterwards photographer, camera and tripod were in the bath.
King Neptune now addressed the Princesses
"A hearty welcome to you, Princesses,
Your lot is not one which distresses;
For we've decided in consultation
To modify your initiation.
We seldom make a special case,
For fear of serious loss of face;
But on this day Queen Amphitrite
Put in a plea to treat you light.
You've been excused the ducking chair,
Which throws its victims through the air;
Razor, brush and lather, too,
Have been debarred for use on you.
Elizabeth and Margaret Rose,
Accept some powder on each nose;
And after this my doctors will
Administer a little pill.
These rites admit you to our real-um,
For which we hand you proof on vellum.
Come forward, please."

The Princesses were led forward to the ducking stools and were lightly powdered by the barbers. The doctors administered the pills, which bore a remarkable resemblance to glace cherries.  These were swallowed with some trepidation and the initiation was complete.
          The pirates again dived deeply into Davy Jones' sea-chest, and from it they lifted the " Crossing the Line " Certificates for presentation to Their Royal Highnesses.
          Princess Elizabeth received the original certificate handsomely framed.

          A fresh contingent of bears now entered the baths, and the Clerk of the Court called for Major Vivian Dunn, Royal Marines. The victim having been produced, the Clerk continued:-
                 "We now indict Major Vivian Dunn
                   For having had a lengthy run;
                   As Director of Music, Royal Marines,
                   And yet, incredible though it seems,
                   He's never yet once Crossed the Line
                   A really dreadful, horrible crime.
                   We order him soused, and a bath and a shave,
                   Bears - deal unmercifully with this knave."