The transcript of communications between a U.S. Naval vessel and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. This radio conversation was released by the Chief of Naval Operations on 10 October 1995…..
AMERICANS: “Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.”
CANADIANS: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.”
AMERICANS: “This is the Captain of a U.S. Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course 15 degrees North.”
CANADIANS: “ Negative, I say again, you divert YOUR course.”
AMERICANS: “THIS IS THE UNITED STATES NAVY AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM 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….THAT’S ONE-FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFTEY OF THIS SHIP.”
CANADIANS: “This is a lighthouse….your call.”
With thanks to Margaret Muir
Painting of Scituate lighthouse, Cape Cod, by Ron Druett
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