Non sibi sed patriae
This is the actual radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995.
Radio conversation released by the chief of naval operations, 10-10-95.
CANADIANS: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS: Recommend you divert your course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.
CANADIANS: Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
AMERICANS: This is the captain of a US Navy ship, I say again, divert YOUR course.
CANADIANS: No, I say again, you divert YOUR course.
AMERICANS: This is the Aircraft Carrier US LINCOLN, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic Fleet. We are accompanied with three Destroyers, three Cruisers and numerous support vessels. I DEMAND that you change your course 15 degrees north. I say again, that’s one-five degrees north, or counter-measures will be undertaken to ensure the safety of this ship.
CANADIANS: This is a lighthouse. Your call.
Thanks to /etc/shadow for the link
April 5th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I love that! Very revealing of North American mindset. As a canadian living in the US, it made my day!
April 5th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Welcome P’tit loup.
May 7th, 2007 at 5:41 am
That whole Navy ship and Canadian Lighthouse thing, while it always gives me a chuckle, is complete bunk. This story has been going around years before the stated date.
However, I still think it’s funny as hell.