Know when to yield . . .

The following is often presented as a conversation between the American ship USS Lincoln and a Canadian officer.

Canadian: “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 USS Lincoln, the second largest ship in the United States Atlantic fleet. We are accompanied by 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.”

Note, this story is lots of fun and instructive, but untrue, see snopes.com: Lighthouse and Aircraft CarrierExternal Link


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