Equator-crossing info?

[Dale L. Larson]

> Does anyone have any ideas at hand for sources that might tell me a bit
> more about the history and nature of these rituals?  I'd greatly appreciate
> any  pointers and I thank you in advance.

Something spiffy to look into along these lines: Norwegian aquavit.  This
wonderfully powerful booze is a sort of flavored vodka.  As I understand it,
the stuff is supposed to age in casks on a ship that crosses the equator. 
The bottles I've had include on the back of the label the name of the ship
and a map with a line representing the ships voyage on which the aquavit was
aged.