Shellback
Certificate is too big to fit on scanner. It is 16 inches by 24
inches. Here is the center portion.
IMPERIVM NEPTVNI REGIS
To all Sailors wherever ye may be: and to all mermaids, whales, sea serpents,
porpoises, sharks, dolphins, ells, skates, suckers, crabs, lobsters and all
other living things of the sea GREETING: Know ye; That on the 28th day of May
1968, in Latitude 00000 and Longitude 106 degree 00 ; E there appeared within
Our Royal domain USS YORKTOWN CVS 10 bound for the equator. Be it Remembered
that the said vessel and Officers and Crew thereof, have been inspected and
passed on by Ourself and Our Royal Staff AND BE IT KNOWN: By all ye Sailors,
Marines, Land Lubbers and others who may be honored by his presence that DANIEL
A. BERNATH having been found worth to be numbered as one of our trusty Shellbacks
he has been duly initiated into the Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the
Deep. But it further understood: that by virtue of the power invested in
my I do hereby command all my subjects to show due honor and respect to him wherever
he may be. Disobey this Order Under Penalty of Our Royal
Displeasure. Signed Davey Jones His Majesty's Scribe Neptunus Rex
Ruler of the Raging Main by his Servant W.L. Bennett, Commanding Officer, Capt.
U.S.N.