BTW Brian has assembled a SUPER page of info for not only the C34 but of
interest to any sailor. I recommend it.
Here is the ceremony and the poem I wrote . I hope you enjoy it.
** Note ** please feel free to substitute " Lord or God " for the Greek
gods names. Some folks have felt uncomforable about the religious thing.
With appology for this long posting. .....
Ralph's Really Right Renaming Regimen
First: You must DE-name: Example; Bless the former name and allow that name
to go to the everlasting sea. ( A simple thanks for it's former service and
a
good-bye to.... "Old name here"..... should do.) Also remove all traces of
the
original name.
Second: You must establish the new name - Now here comes the fun part !!
1ST method ----You must pour very good red wine (RED wine, NOT bubbly- see
below ) on the bow and offer some to the god Poseidon (Neptune) pouring the
wine into the waters of the Home Port, saying out loud the new name, asking
Poseidon to bless the boat and all who ride within. If it is a sailboat,
don't forget
Aeolus, the god of winds. Both gods blessings required. Also, the
Captain(owner), crew and guests should sip the wine as well (spill and
intake quantity is not limited ! The gods like generosity ! )
2nd method ---- After de-naming : Scuttle the boat out of sight of land
-re float and rename - not many of us can do that one ! ( at least not on
purpose) :-)
3rd method ---- -- Have a Virgin urinate on the bow while
renaming the boat and asking Poseidon's blessing --
The major problem here is ahhhhhh -- Well, I'll let you work on that
one.
Red wine is the wine to spill , it symbolizes the blood of a virgin (yep,
they used to sacrifice a virgin ,later conquered enemies, and spill the
blood on the boat).
Champagne is a very "new" invention and was not used until the 19th
century. When christening a NEW ship it may have symbolized baptismal
water. By the way the word "christening" should be a consideration when
renaming. Not a religious thing but you really are not christening a new
boat when renaming. It is possible some folks might feel it not
appropriate to use Greek and Roman gods to bless a "Christ-ening"
During the De-Naming - Renaming ceremony ( which ever one you choose )
Please feel free to include the De-naming Plea and the poem to the sea and
wind gods called " To Appease the Spirits of the Seas " both of which I
wrote......................
I bid hail !! Aeolus and Poseidon !
And seek your benefaction upon this vessel ,
May the name she carried before, be gone as the winds of yore,
Having served the former master with honor.
I now, with deep respect, petition you royal beings ,
To give this vessel's new hailing and her next voyages, your kindnesses.
Be it known by one and all! This vessel, from this day, will be hailed
as, ".....new name......." !
I further offer the following poem as a plea to the gods ..............
( TO APPEASE the SPIRITS of the SEAS )
Aeolus, whose mighty hand doth charge the wind,
To this vessel gentle zephyrs send,
And we who sail within will bend
Our heads in tribute, Never end.
With breath from high that maketh heaven's breeze,
To cause we sailors joy , or fear, upon the seas.
We call upon you Aeolus, please -
grant this ship and its' mortal ease.
O! Poseidon, you spirit god of waters great and small,
On this vessel, by your grace, allow these sons and daughters all,
to pass from port of hailing to their port of call,
And on these sailing subjects make your gentle blessings fall.
You who cause the seas to rage or lie in sweet repose,
Please list' to we mariners here, your servants of the flows.
This ship, the captain, crew and all of those -
Who love the wind and seas - will follow where thee goes
Ralph E. Ahseln
(C) April 1996
Gresham OR
Oblio isMe @aol.com
rahseln@teleport.com
oblio-too@juno.com