Navy Baby Baptized in Quarterdeck Bell
Tradition dates back to the British Royal Navy as a way to welcome all members of the family into the Naval community.
On Friday, August 25 2023, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) San Diego brought one of the Navy’s oldest traditions to one of the newest members of the fleet’s family.
Hope Oliva Wickens was baptized in the unit’s quarterdeck bell. Baby Hope is the daughter of one of NROTC San Diego’s most active Officer Candidates, Kristopher Wickens. Officer Candidate Wickens is a San Diego State University second-year student studying Criminal Justice in the School of Public Affairs.
A quarterdeck bell is usually a polished bronze bell kept in a honored location on a ship or within a shore command's entry space. Bells serve many traditional purposes on ships, including signaling the arrival of important visitors and sounding alarms.
The small ceremony was attended by family members and friends from across the country, NROTC San Diego’s Executive Officer Commander William Kirby, and SDSU Officer Instructor Lieutenant Peter “PJ” Suess. The ceremony was a first for the unit, but also for Chaplain Lieutenant Keith Ellison; Baby Hope’s baptism was the first he’s presided over.
This tradition dates back to the British Royal Navy as a way to welcome all members of the family into the Naval community. Parents typically opt for this form of baptism when the Navy has played a significant role in their story and their lives. It melds the service and family together. Traditionally, the child’s name is etched into the inside of the bell which is then returned to the quarterdeck for continued use in ceremonies and traditions.
