Battleships

Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri carrying President Harry S. Truman home from Brazil, pollywog Merriman Smith, newsman, stands watch for Davy Jones, emissary of King Neptune, during shellback ceremonies for those crossing the equator for the first time. From: Truman Home.

Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri during shellback ceremonies for those crossing the equator for the first time, a "pollywog" is pitched backwards into the Royal Tank where he is dunked by participating sailors. The ship is carrying President Harry S. Truman back from Brazil. From: Truman home.

Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri during shellback ceremonies for those crossing the equator for the first time, a "pollywog" is pitched into the Royal Tank where he is dunked by participating sailors. The ship is carrying President Harry S. Truman back from Brazil. From: Truman Home.

Aboard the U.S.S. Missouri on a return trip from Brazil, pollywog Merriman Smith (a newsman) is pitched backwards from a teetering chair into the Royal Tank where he is dunked by sailors anointed with a greasy concoction, during ceremonies for those crossing the equator for the first time. (See also 66-1325.) From: Truman Home.

A volunteer walks down "shillalah alley," a 60-foot double line of shellbacks armed with stuffed canvas billies, as they prepare to whack the pollywogs (those crossing the equator for the first time), a punishment meted out by the Royal Court during ceremonies held aboard the U.S.S. Missouri carrying President Harry S. Truman from Brazil to the U.S.A. (See also 66-1273.) From: Truman Home.

The crew of the USS Missouri, docked at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is at the "man-the-rail" position as they await the arrival of President Harry S. Truman after he spoke at the Rio Inter-American Defense Conference. From: Truman Home.

The Japanese surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. Chester W. Nimitz, Fleet Admiral, U.S. Navy, is seated at a desk signing the document as U.S. representative. A group of Naval officers stands around him. This copy of the photograph is inscribed, "To Ed Pauley - with best wishes and warmest regards," and signed by Nimitz in the lower margin as a gift to Ambassador Edwin W. Pauley.

A snapshot of Margaret Truman being summoned before the King Neptune's Court on the USS Missouri returning from a trip to Brazil. (Equator crossing ritual) From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 Metal Album.

Snapshot of Margaret Truman as she sings "Anchors Aweigh" during the ceremonies on board the USS Missouri. They are crossing the equator. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 Metal Album.

A snapshot showing the President and his party receiving their "subpoenas" prior to crossing the equator on the USS Missouri, as part of the ceremonies. President Harry S. Truman is returning from his trip to Brazil. Admiral William Leahy can be seen second from right. From: Charles Ross Papers, 12x18 Metal Album.