Ahoy There - Out of My Way

'Twas a dark and stormy night on that dark and stormy night! HMS Blunderbuss plied the billowing seas just off the Isle of Wight! Able Seaman Steer manned the helm when dead ahead he saw the light! He woke the snoozing Officer of the Deck to apprise him of their plight! Captain Ironbottom (who happened to be in the 'head') was duly alerted! He dashed to the bridge in his drawers to ensure that disaster was averted! "By jove!" he cried, "Her Majesty's ships turn aside for no one, I say!" He grabbed the radio, "Ahoy there! Turn east 15 degrees! Out of my way!" From out of the ozone a voice retorted, "Suggest you turn west 15 degrees! I'll not change course for anyone, so heed my warning if you please!" "This is Captain Ironbottom of the HMS Blunderbuss!" he thundered back! "I know the rules of the road! Turn now or I'll see you hung from the rack!" Able Seaman Steers' eyes grew as large as saucers knowing not what to do! Communication between the captain and the mysterious light was turning blue! As the distance narrowed between them, neither would give a nautical mile! The white-knuckled Officer of the Deck was turning pale with a sickly smile! "This is Captain Ironbottom again! Are you challenging Her Majesty's might?" "Yes sir" was the reply, "You see, this is the light house on the Isle of Wight!" Today the mighty HMS Blunderbuss rusts upon the Isle of Wight's rocky shoal. Captain Ironbottom faded into oblivion due to the folly of his last patrol! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved