As the year 2024 comes to an end, we are finally settling down in our new home in South Carolina.

One of the things that drew me to living here is the plethora of historical and veteran’s activities. We haven’t had much time to visit too many places yet, but a number of previous visits had given me a taste of what lays ahead. My health has shown some improvement and after a few minor procedures in the new year, I am looking forward to celebrating all things Carolina.

I saw a brief news clip earlier today that talked about strange but very cool naval traditions.

The five they listed were steel beach picnics, line crossing ceremonies, the importance of ice cream, the Herndon Monument Climb, and Fleet Week.

I suspect that the editors of the piece had never actually been in the navy if these were the ones that stuck out above the countless other navy traditions I remember. But each of the ones listed does hold a memory or two for me.

Steel Beach and Fleet Week

I only remember a few steel beach picnics. Maybe it was timing or just the missions we were on, but the only submarine steel beach I remember was in the Caribbean on board the USS San Francisco. It was our first voyage which took us from Norfolk to the Netherland Antilles Island of Curacao. We would later transit the Panama Canal on our way to San Francisco for our first Fleet Week. So, I guess you could say we did two of the very cool things in one trip.

My least favorite memory was when one of our shipmates had a heart attack after the swim call near Gitmo and we had to get him back to the US for treatment. He survived and we got to celebrate when he made Chief before retiring. He later died (way too young) but I had a chance to visit with him before that happened. Mike was a good man and an awesome sailor.

Ice Cream anyone?

The ice cream part was also important. I have done some stories on the navy losing its alcohol on board the ship privileges back in the early 1900’s. Josephus Daniels (decidedly not a navy man in any way shape or form) was a tea drinking newspaper man who also hated alcohol. So, he ended the tradition that dated back to our roots with the British navy and all ships went dry. Around that same time, ice cream was being introduced on board ships as a sugary substitute and a morale builder for the men.

From the article: “When the Navy banned alcohol in 1914, ice cream became the crew’s morale-boosting treat of choice. During World War II, the Navy even commissioned a million-dollar ice cream barge to deliver frozen delights to sailors. Today, the tradition lives on as ships continue to stockpile ice cream, proving that a little sweetness can go a long way in brightening spirits during long deployments.”

As a submarine A ganger, I can tell you that when the ice cream machine breaks, it moves to the top of the list of repair items. I can remember the sweat pumps shifting to high speed every time it was broken. Note to non-sailors: despite being qualified on five boats, I never did actually locate the sweat pumps. My suspicion is that they were in the Goat Locker or the Wardroom, But I assure you that I knew when they were operating.

Crossing the Line

I remember the line crossing ceremonies well. The first was in the early seventies when I was a lowly pollywog. The second was in the early eighties when I was part of the initiated that helped convert the pollywogs. I much preferred the second to the first. I’m told the ceremonies are much diminished now. Like the Chief’s initiation, they have joined the Dodo bird in extinction. I am sure there are some vestiges of both today, but they could never get away with what we experienced during those dark ages. I’m sure every generation of sailor before mine probably would say the same thing given the chance.

Ups and downs

The Herndon climb is something I have read about but never actually witnessed. Since I had to earn my commission in another fashion, my visits to the Academy were always focused on other things like participating in a wedding for two of my fellow officers on the Hunley. I actually got to participate in the sword ceremony at the completion of the wedding. I was dressed for the occasion, and I had a sword. I gifted the sword to a young Ensign when she graduated from Pitt. I have no idea where it is now. After going to flight school, we have long ago lost touch.

I do have one connection with midshipmen climbing. In the book that I will finish this year (I promise Debbie) one of the early incidents in Cassin Young’s days at the academy had to do with another plebe climb. In 1912, they had an old sailing ship that was used for training. The new plebes had to climb to the top of the mast and spike their caps. One young man from Texas made it all the way to the top but slipped and fell to his death. The incident sparked an investigation and the infamous Josephus Daniels ordered the ship to be removed and no more such shenanigans. The interesting thing about the boy who died is that they kept his name on the rolls for the whole four years and he graduated with his class.

The navy is filled with many traditions. Some are born out of necessity and their origins are shrouded in the fog of the passage of time. (I know, its probably too soon to use a phrase like the passage of time, but I couldn’t help myself.) I also know that new traditions are probably being born now, I still struggle with saying Hooyah but that’s my boomer identity kicking in.

I wonder what 2025 will bring?

We are facing a whole series of new threats around the world. The navy will celebrate the125 year since the adaption of submarines but apparently, we might not have enough to go around. I hope the next administration is planning for this. I am too old to try to learn Chinese. I hear that the new President might be asking for the Panama Canal back. Considering how much money e spent and how many men died building it, it would be great to see Jimmy Carter’s worst mistake corrected.

But before I close for the day, one last navy tradition.

Because of the global situation, ships and submarines will probably be at sea protecting us. The crews will hold holiday dinners and hopefully be safe from harm as they go about their routines. I struggle with the word routine. When you are on a submarine or a ship at sea, is anything ever really routine. I just hope that as they prepare for their Christmas meal, the ice cream machine will be working.

Merry Christmas

Mister Mac

What were your favorite traditions?