The transcript of a radio conversation between USS Lincoln and the Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland has been widely published, with slight variations:
Authorities: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the south to avoid a collision.
Lincoln: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the north to avoid a collision.
Authorities: Negative. You will have to divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the south to avert collision.
Lincoln: This is the Captain of the US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Authorities: No. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Lincoln: 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 ESCORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH. I SAY AGAIN, THAT IS ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.
Authorities: This is a lighthouse. Your call.