Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Royalty
Captain Newcome is shaved roughly on the Equator in
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
Captain Newcome is shaved roughly on the Equator in
Captain Newcome is shaved roughly before being dunked in a tub of bilge water on the Equator. A sailor dressed as Neptune holds a trident and sits on a throne on a gun carriage. Other midshipmen in wigs as Naiads blow horns. Another holds a rough iron hoop used as a shaving razor. Handcoloured copperplate engraving after an illustration by Charles Williams from John Mitfords Adventures of Johnny Newcome in the Navy, London, 1819
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 23388916
© Florilegius
Adventures Anchors Bench Berth Birth Bottle Britains Cabin Carousing Coats Colonialism Daggers Equator Georgian Glory Grog Hope Johnny Mess Mitford Napoleonic Nautical Newcome Pistols Regency Roughly Sailor Shaved Swords Walls Wars Williams Wine Europes
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> Charles Williams
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Royalty
> Mary Evans Prints Online
> New Images August 2021
> Services
> Royal Navy
EDITORS COMMENTS
Captain Newcome's Equator Crossing: A Rite of Passage in the Napoleonic Navy This hand-coloured copperplate engraving depicts the legendary moment when Captain Johnny Newcome, the eponymous hero of John Mitford's popular 1819 novel "The Adventures of Johnny Newcome in the Navy," undergoes the time-honoured tradition of being shaved roughly before being dunked in a tub of bilge water on the Equator. The scene takes place on a makeshift stage, with a sailor dressed as Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, sitting on a gun carriage throne. He brandishes a trident and wears a flowing beard and wreath, symbolizing his dominion over the waters. Surrounding Neptune are midshipmen, dressed as Naiads, the sea nymphs, each wearing wigs and holding horns. One midshipman holds a rough iron hoop, which serves as a shaving razor, while another prepares to shave the captain's beard. The rough treatment is a symbol of the initiation into the brotherhood of the sea, a rite of passage for any sailor crossing the Equator for the first time. The scene is filled with the trappings of the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, with swords, daggers, hats, coats, flags, anchors, and pistols adorning the walls. The table and bench, laden with bottles of wine, rum, and grog, are evidence of the carousing that follows the ceremony. The black sailor in the foreground, wearing a hat and coat, adds to the diverse and multicultural nature of the British colonial navy. This engraving, illustrating Charles Williams's original artwork, is a testament to the rich history and traditions of Europe's maritime empires, as well as the camaraderie and spirit of adventure that defined the lives of sailors during the Georgian and Regency eras.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
