[Ken Mason]

The following is the transcript of an actual radio conversation in
October 1995, between a US Navy ship and the British authorities off the
north coast of Scotland. The transcript was released by the MoD on the
10/10/95.

*
BRITISH:* Please divert your course 15 degrees to the South. to avoid
collision.
*
US Navy :* Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the North to
avoid collision
*
BRITISH:* Negative. You will have to divert your course 15 degrees to
the South to avoid collision
*
US Navy :* This is the Captain of US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR
course.
*
BRITISH:* Negative I say again divert your course.
*
US Navy :* 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. DEMAND THAT YOU
CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT'S 15 DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER
MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.




*
BRITISH :* We are a lighthouse. F*** off