I'm not sure whether this story's genuine or not, I just received it by email this morning and found it quite amusing:
"This is a transcript of an 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 on November 10, 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 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, 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.
That's really funny, even if not genuine!
Yes I thought so too. Brilliant reply by the Canadians!
Chirpy - you have excelled yourself with that one - me and our lass are in stitches - it's the funniest thing I'd heard in ages.
Sorry to put a dampner on things but this is actually from a Silva Compass advert!
I have the original in a 2.5mb WMV file if anyone wants it! I will check back later and e-mail those people who want it...and yes, it is very funny!
actually sorry to put even more of a damper on it but actually it IS true, the transcript can be found on a royal navy site. A guy i work with was in the navy and subscribes to part of the royal navy for ex servicemen i don't know the URL off hand but i might be able to find out
Hi again,
I didn't say it wasn't true! Its just that this is on an advert for Silva....anyway here is the advert.
It is a 2.5mb Windows Media Video file so if your not on broadband BE PATIENT!
If not on BB it may be easier to right click the link and select the save target as option!
(Sorry if I am teaching you to suck eggs but some people might not know!)
Oops! I didn't mean to start an arguement. ;) Actually I'm glad it's a true story 'cause I couldn't stop laughing when I read the final line.
Thanks for the link to the advert Spready, I just posted it to the person who sent me the transcript. Funny though, it sounds better when you read it.
Chirpy
what happened to the Canadians?!
just watched the video file, its a bit different from the original transcript, very funny all the same. oh how come the advert is set in the irish sea? are there any canadian lighthouses there?
This joke has been around for years, and many knowledgeable people believe it to be false. Two opinions on the story are listed here:
Richard - spoilsport!!!