IS THIS HOW WARS START?

[sjc]

Just something that made me laugh,in the paper today!

This is reputedly a transcript of a radio conversation between a U.S navy ship and the Canadians off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995!
CANADIANS:"please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision."
AMERICANS:"We 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 United States navy ship.I say again divert your course."
CANADIANS:"Negative,i say again you will have to divert your course."
AMERICANS:"This is the Aircraft Carrier,USS Abraham Lincoln,we are the second largest carrier inthe U.S.fleet.Three destroyers,three cruisers and numerous support vessels accompany us.I demand that you change your course 15 degrees north.I say again,that is15 degrees north or counter-measures will be taken to ensure the safety of this ship."
CANADIANS:" We are a lighthouse.You decide."

[Beakster]

I can honestly believe that to is true. My sister's boyfriend is in the merchant navy and sails all over the world. He was telling us the american sailors are a joke and are constantly on the radio trying to tell people which side to pass on, before they even have visual and when communication isn't even necessary as they have protocols which say how 2 ships should pass. He says they all just wind them up and take the piss by arguing about it for a laugh, then just follow the protocols.

[Dave]

[Ghia15]

Yeah, made me and my housemates burst out laughing.

Hilarious, americans stuborn until the accidentaly shoot you in the back.

[dixy1949]

remember in the mid 1960s on a destroyer in the indian ocean meeting up with a yank destroyer, yank signalled by light, " hows the second biggest navy in the world"? our skipper quick as a flash signaled back, "fine, how,s the second best" no answer!!!